Case Summary  |  My aching knee

Describe what happened, how you treated it, and what's going on today

My right knee has become increasingly painful over the last 3-4 years even though I knew I has osteoarthritis for at least 10 years. The last 4-5 months the pain was unbearable at time bringing me to tears with provocation. That is when I decided to have a total knee replacement done.

My right knee is on a 35 degree angle to the right ....the upper leg is straight and the lower let goes out to the right. This cause great diffficulty in standing and transferring.

I had received individulaized physical thearpy in August of 2009 and again of 2010 but the pain contiued to increase. It was in August 2010 that I started using the Lidoderm patches during the day and received great relief but since I could only use them 12 hours of the day I resorted to narcotic pain relief in the form of Vidocin at bedtime.

I had been advised that losing weight would also help the sitiuation but in my case it did not.

By August 2010 I was basically wheelchair bound and applied for and received a power chair which has improved my mobility and brought about a better mental attitude. With out being mobile and with the increase in pain I was becoming severely depressed.

I was scheduled for knee replacement surgery Nov 22, 2010 but due to an asthma attack November 14 the surgery has been postponed to November 29,2010. I fell this is the answer to the pain issue as well as the mobility issue. I am looking forward to the procedure.

The Lidoderm patches during the day combined with Vicodin at bedtime and occassional oral predisone were the best hlep for me

Surgery pending for Nov 29,2010