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Why not get the knee replaced? You are relatively young and it sounds like you could afford to do it. And I would sell the big house and move to smaller place. After I recovered from the knee replacement and got the house sold, I would go on that trip!!!
Here's my situation:... In February, I developed L. Knee pain which has worsened into painful osteoarthritis. I now limp and sometimes need a cane to walk. ...
As someone who has pervasive osteoarthritis, I will give you some unpleasant news: if you only sometimes need a cane to walk, I'm afraid you could be in for a real bummer of a surprise about what painful osteoarthritis really can be.
Obviously a doctor should be keeping an eye on the progression of your OA - along with yourself, of course. But I wonder if given your seeming sense of loose ends, if this new health problem doesn't loom larger than it would if you had a happier handle on life. My personal experience with OA even to the extent that I have it is while it certainly sets limits in my life, its intensity as a major, very painful distraction does diminish when I become involved in things that I love and enjoy.
I am not sneering at your attitude about having to use a cane at a rather young age, I certainly was not pleased either and I was not as young as you. But I'm not going to give you any rah-rah crap, I loathe it when people play cheerleader with me...so you are spared.
I will say, however, based on my own experience, that you should get the rest of your life revved up and more pleasing to you before your OA becomes your major preoccupation by default rather than necessity. I came dangerously close to doing that after the disastrous failure of a major spine surgery (nothing to do with OA.) I would say that you have to be really aggressive with yourself in exploring and ransacking your own mind and background for leads on new interests and activities before your physical problem quietly insinuates itself into primacy in your mind.
I'm 20 years older than you, and so I have had several stages of readjustment in my physical well-being to accommodate. I'll be honest, each time there is an initial period of "Oh no, this is the end." It has happened enough times that even if I can't prevent this reaction, I do know now that if I keep working on getting a grip (or new grip, maybe that should be) that the overly negative reaction will subside if I let it. Then I can get on with the more enjoyable parts of life again too. And it really helps to "stay hungry, stay foolish", even if that sounds corny.
Perhaps you could consider the practice of using a cane as the prelude to life as a Senior pole-dancer. Entertainment options for retirees in Arizona are pretty conventional IMO. You could be the one to change that.
I'm 64 at 6'4, big guy at 275 with plenty of sore body parts. I got were I had trouble even bending over to put on my shoes. I took up yoga about a year ago and feel so much better. The stretching is perfect for us old guys.
Try a yoga class or 3. You go at your own pace and effort. I'm hooked.
I know people who have said the same, and several have also added a tai chi class and feel that it is beneficial too.
Here's my situation:
Today is my 1 year Retirement Anniversary. I retired early and live on a severance and savings because it was obvious my boss wanted to be rid of me. I find my self with a nice 3 story townhome too big for me that is mortgage free (worth 420K), filled with my possessions and collections I love, and few friends. I have saved 1.5 mill in retirement and non retirement savings. I traveled extensively internationally on vacation from July to February, and now I have nothing to do. In February, I developed L. Knee pain which has worsened into painful osteoarthritis. I now limp and sometimes need a cane to walk. I cannot work in this condition if I wanted to.
I was thinking of spending the next year selling off all my possessions in the house; getting the deck repaired, then putting the house on the market next June. I would like to take a round the world cruise. I would settle in my hometown in Canada to receive free health care (I am Canadian, with dual citizenship with US pending this year). I would then snowbird to Arizona or Florida in the winter and visit my 2 sons and grandchildren while back in the US.
This is the best plan I could come up with , but I wonder if depression is clouding my thinking . I am not expecting anyone to feel sorry for me and I have received mental health counseling/medication. Some may feel I shouldn't complain. I do feel this is a good example of senior years not being what you expected. I am totally bored and everyday is the same. My knee hurts. I never expected not to be working at 58.
I'm 64 and my knee hurts all the time. It's called aging. Take some Tylenol and quit feeling sorry for yourself.
I will say, however, based on my own experience, that you should get the rest of your life revved up and more pleasing to you before your OA becomes your major preoccupation by default rather than necessity. I came dangerously close to doing that after the disastrous failure of a major spine surgery (nothing to do with OA.) I would say that you have to be really aggressive with yourself in exploring and ransacking your own mind and background for leads on new interests and activities before your physical problem quietly insinuates itself into primacy in your mind.
I'm 20 years older than you, and so I have had several stages of readjustment in my physical well-being to accommodate. I'll be honest, each time there is an initial period of "Oh no, this is the end." It has happened enough times that even if I can't prevent this reaction, I do know now that if I keep working on getting a grip (or new grip, maybe that should be) that the overly negative reaction will subside if I let it. Then I can get on with the more enjoyable parts of life again too. And it really helps to "stay hungry, stay foolish", even if that sounds corny.
Perhaps you could consider the practice of using a cane as the prelude to life as a Senior pole-dancer. Entertainment options for retirees in Arizona are pretty conventional IMO. You could be the one to change that.
Kevxu: Thanks for providing thoughtful insight. This is so much for helpful than being told to "quit complaining".
I expected to get blasted by some, for telling my situation. That's the way these boards are. I hope I never get so jaded as to dismiss someone's valid concerns on here as a non issue. Some of you recognized the underlying depression in what I posted. Money can't help me; I must help myself.
You can also join some 55+ community to live - They have community centers where people get together. Check them out and see if a move is a good idea. I heard one friend say it's hard to live there when it's 'All old people' but in your case it'd be good so you'd socialize and feel connected.
That's the problem in today's society. People aren't as connected as they used to be. Everything is done from the computer and people don't put the effort into social relationships. You could also join a singles group and meet some people. Volunteer locally in areas that interest you. A friend retired and worked part time at a hospital help desk. Sometimes it's just getting out and being useful. But get your knee problem fixed, first.
Yes. And try to find a 55+ where there is a travel club. Senior travel clubs make it easier for those with mobility problems. Good luck!!!
No orthopedic surgeon is going to do a knee replacement on a knee that still has cartilage unless there's some other issue.
Opioids are not effective for knee pain. And (IMO) your doctor should have held off on the cortisone shot; you can only get so many so you want to save the cortisone shots for when the pain is much worse.
What you need is physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee. Go back to your doctor and tell him to prescribe it. Once you've started PT, do the home exercises. Knee pain is not something you can just take a pill for. It requires a multi-prong approach.
My left knee is pretty messed up. I have a torn meniscus, trochlear groove damage, a popliteal cyst, chrondromalacia and a bunch of other stuff. My left knee is pain-free. I have no pain because instead of taking "supps" I follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:
1. Rest. Get lots of rest.
2. Lose weight if you're overweight.
3. Use either ice or heat on your knee. Heat works for me, so I take a long soak in the Jacuzzi every night.
4. Use acetaminophen or an NSAID. I take one Advil twice a day for inflammation.
5. Physical therapy, both with a therapist and at home. Strengthens the muscle around the knee and makes the tissue more supple.
You've admitted you have all the time in the world. There's no reason why you can't follow this regimen or one similar instead of sitting around feeling sorry for yourself.
This^. I have mild arthritis in my knee. Orthopedic surgeon said he couldn't help with surgery. He suggested glucosamine chondroitan, weight loss, physical therapy and non-prescription pain meds. My family doctor added turmeric to her recommendations. I did some research and additionally take milk thistle. I am also losing weight. The PT is working with me on strengthening gluteus and thigh muscles, plus balance and climbing stairs without pulling myself up with handrail. I am also changing my diet to anti-inflammatory foods.
This has worked. Since I first noticed the pain and took the above measures, I am doing much better. I take no pain meds as I do not like to unless pain is severe.
You can do it. You are young, relatively and you have to decide if you want to retain your mobility. It is your choice. You have the means and money.
This^. I have mild arthritis in my knee. Orthopedic surgeon said he couldn't help with surgery. He suggested glucosamine chondroitan, weight loss, physical therapy and non-prescription pain meds. My family doctor added turmeric to her recommendations. I did some research and additionally take milk thistle. I am also losing weight. The PT is working with me on strengthening gluteus and thigh muscles, plus balance and climbing stairs without pulling myself up with handrail. I am also changing my diet to anti-inflammatory foods.
This has worked. Since I first noticed the pain and took the above measures, I am doing much better. I take no pain meds as I do not like to unless pain is severe.
You can do it. You are young, relatively and you have to decide if you want to retain your mobility. It is your choice. You have the means and money.
That's similar to what I've done too. What anti inflammatory foods were suggested? Omega 3 and Vit D supplements help me. Tomatoes and potatoes make it worse. Glad you've found something that works!!
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