Katie,Well, here I sit with a choice to make.
Saw the doctor this morning. He reviewed the x-rays of my knee and said it was totally "gone." All the natural padding is gone and bone is rubbing on bone, plus the sides of the bones are so full of arthritis it isn't even funny. I'm going to have to have a total knee replacement. He said I can put it off for a little while. He told me the discomfort of the present state will determine how long I can put it off.
My hands? They're in worse shape and he's referring me to a very well-respected hand care center, Kleinert Kurtz, in Louisville, which is about 300 miles from here. They're about one of the best in the country and our doctor has great confidence in their skills and care.
My hands are going down faster than my knee so I think I'll address that issue first, plus Glenn was told today he needed a total knee replacement, too. His is probably in as bad shape as mine.
I can put up with it a while longer but Glenn's knee is throwing his whole skeletal system off and he's having back issues as a result. He had major back surgery three years ago and we don't want to undo any of that.
Lemme tell you...gettin' old ain't for sissies.
I must have missed this one when I replied to your other post. I had a total knee replacement when I was almost 51. They didn't want to do it because I was "too young" but I finally found a doctor who would. I was also bone on bone, nothing holding it in place and full of arthritis. I had complications but it had NOTHING to do with the surgery or the doctor - just an abnormality in me (creating internal scar tissue). I never regret having it done and if the doctors will do it, I suggest you and Glen go for it. It isn't really that bad a surgery.
I hope they can do something for your hands asap - I know that they are your life - writing, creating, cooking.
Just know my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
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