Women Tend to Have Knee Replacement Later Than Men

It’s simple. Doctors always say “loose weight before we consider doing the knee replacements”.
Men loose weight much easier than women. Women struggle with weight loss and are embarassed to admit our many weight loss failures. We wait until the pain is unbearable and the crippling too debilitating before we humbly return to the doctor with a request for help. Men, bless their hearts, cry “wolf” regarding pain far sooner than most women.
Doctors, I suggest when a women appears with knee degradation appropriate for knee replacement, do not send her away with the advice to loose weight.

I agree 100%. The go lose weight and you are too young does not work well when it is debilitating and you have a high pain threshhold.

I was told by my doctor to wait until I couldn’t stand it any longer to get my knee replaced. The doc told me that he could only guarantee me 10 years with the knee replacement, and I didn’t want to have to go through this twice! So, I waited until I was 60, and until after I’d missed 2 of my grandkid’s birthday parties, because I was in so much pain!!!

I had two Arthroscopic surgeries that the doctor botched both times. Now I need a knee replacement and the insurance won’t cover more than 50% of it. I suffer because of an inept doctor. Would I have my knee replaced now if I could afford it? In a heartbeat. I live on pain medication and I hate it. There is no fun in my life anymore.

I believe there are some common place reasons for women needing total knee replacement later in life than men. Traditionally, more men work in jobs involving heavy lifting or other physical tasks. While there are women who work in such fields, most women work in less physically demanding jobs. Secondly, men tend to engage in leisure activities such as football and basket ball traditionally where women have not. Thirdly, women as organisms are tougher than males. Women might also be concerned about Osteoporosis. They may consciously or unconsciously avoid surgery for fear that they may loose bone density. Lastly and least important, a woman’s legs are an asset in attracting a mate. A woman in her 40s or 50s may not want the scars associated with knee surgery.

Women, I believe, have a higher threshold for pain than men and women delay seeking help. My experience after living with a man for over 50 years is he is quicker to give in to routine illness/pain than I. I think it is easier for a man to take a day off work and baby himself than it is for a woman to find someone to care for the children and house for a day of babying herself. So, women become more acustomed to living with a certain amount of discomfort or down right pain. This translates into why women delay getting knees replaced as quickly as men.

I also think, male doctors come with a weight bias when it comes to female patients. As the posts before mine suggest women are more frequently told to go home and lose weight than their male counterparts. Sad -but true.

I absolutely LOVE the comment from a male contributors; Craig. ‘Women do less physical work and are vain consenting the scars resulting from surgery’

Craig never spent years chasing after and lifting children whose size increase exponentially each passing year. It’s funny how the male superiority myth never dies. Men do have a heavier musculature, which allows heavier lifting. Women have more sprint/endurance muscle. This is not a vanity, lack of drive or laziness thing.

It’s probably not a good idea to paint all women with such a ‘broad brush’ ( pun intended)

Biology, in this case, is destiny

A woman, forced into the less important caste status, is given less attention or priority. Her complaints are usually dismissed as ‘hysterical’ by males in the medical field

How many years did it take the male dominated profession of Medicine, to acknowledge women are not small men? That medication made, utilizing male testing subjects ,don’t necessary work for women? How many years did it take before the medical profession acknowledged that heart issues in women are not identical to that in men?

Apart from having higher endurance, ability to double task, and higher pain tolerance we still are very suppressed…. And should it be suspected of me, no; I am not a women’s libber. I am however a sociologist.

My doctors simply told me I was too young (45) and that I should not have knees replaced until I was 60 or unable to do any type of physical activity. It didn’t seem to matter to them that I had already had to give up “sports” activities like golf. At times, I couldn’t even make it through the grocery store without using an electric cart as pain was too severe. My instructions were to simply “adjust” and give up on activities that I once liked. I simply don’t think men would tolerate that type of advice–nor do I think they would even have been told that type of advice.

Ladies, on Feb.10 I had my left knee replaced.
When your quality of life begins to be affected and your walking with a limp and pain
daily…it is time to `bite the bullet’and do it.Four things must be done before:pick the best MD,best hospital and best device for implant, plus a good rehab center for postop.
The first three weeks after the op are painful
but,as time moves on you will experience a
euphoria of painless walking, standing up straight and feel like a new person…I do and I’m 69 years young,and still workout 3 days a week with weights and cardio.

Even tho I have health insurance, I cannot afford the portion I would need to pay for the surgery. Nor can I afford to take that much time off of work. I am on my own with no one else to either pay the bills or cart me to work every day while the knee heals after surgery. I’ve needed a replacement for 10 years now. I just have to live with the pain.

I was told I was too young for knee replacement. I went from a cane, to a walker to a wheelchair.This went on for 6 years. I spent 6 months in a wheelchair. Finally I demanded knee replacement, I could not stand living the way I was anymore. I think there is a bias, I dont think they would have suggested a man live like I did, and I dont think a man would have to had lived like I did. Its been 5 months since my partial knee replacement. Life is now good again at age 48 and worth living. It was a very painful procedure but I would do it again.

I was told that knee and hip replacements will only last about 20 years, and if I would have either replacement done prior to age 60-65, I would have to have another surgery to replace the replacement(s) when I reached 80. Maybe, surgeons are considering life expectancy when they recommend that men have the surgery earlier in life than women.

I am in the same boat as Susan. I am 55 yrs old have needed bilateral knee replacements for 8 yrs. My doctor told me to wait until I couldn’t take the pain anymore since they only lasted 10-15yrs & were very expensive. I have a sit down job so I feel no pain all day long. The time off needed is a problem also. Who wants to take off work for 3 months & worry if you have a job when you come back.

I am a 65/female and had a total right hip replacement 10 years ago because my symptoms finally crossed the age line (I was always told that I was too young). But when you cannot walk — it’s time for surgery. I have osteoarthritis throughout my body and get quite depressed as I cannot slow down the progression of this disease. At 63 I had my left knee replaced. Now I need my right knee replaced, but am trying to wait one year until after I retire. Both shoulders are bad ( the right has been scoped) and is now worse and the left is about to be scoped. I am really depresed. My 85 year old mother can walk faster than me, even though she needs her rolling walker for stability. Thanks for listening…Just don’t give up…I keep exercising and keeping my diet as healthy as possible.

Just experienced this first hand. A year ago the my Dr. sent me away to loose 40 pounds. I did not loose the weight but became more debilitated. After 10 years of corticosteroids, NSAIDS, Tramadol, Synvisc (both knees every 6 months for 3 years) Knee scope for tendon reattachment and debrisment, the Dr. and I ended up in a shouting match. I left, found me another Dr. that day and next Wed. I’m having my knee replacement. Women are treated with condecending platitudes and men get the real care.

I’m going in tomorrow to have both knees replaced. Got to tell you, I’m 57 and female, and I have never found any gender bias. I have seen 3 rheumatologists and 3 orthopedic surgeons over the last 15 yrs. I lost 25 lbs to make rehab go better, but wasn’t told that I had do. There’s no doubt that it’ll be costly, but I’d rather be in debt and be able to walk that be in debt and be in a wheelchair!

I am a 75 year old female who just had double knee replacement 6 weeks ago today. Iam just sorry I waited so long. I am on a cane for balance and waiting anxiously for the ok to drive You out there who are still waiting to make the decision don’t wait antmore. Iam going to get better, you are going to get worse.

I am so shocked by some of the comments – people having to grocery shop in the electric wheelchairs and doctors refusing to replace their knees? Huh???? It’s either time to “shop” for a new doctor or the whole story was not shared…ouch.

As for the weight issue…in regards to exercise, I feel I am damned if I do and damned if I don’t. I am in so much pain while I exercise that I barely do it anymore and consequently, I have gained weight and that is now harder on my knees. I need to lose 25 pounds. I ride my bike some but my knees swell and I swim some but I pretty much hurt all the time. I think I read somewhere that women with OA on average are 40 pounds overweight.

BTW – I am a 40 year old woman, and about to have my 3rd injection of Orthovisc (so far, no refief from the first 2). If this does not help, my doctor and I are having the dicsussion of knee replacements. I am looking to find women who have had replacements at the age of 40. My doctor is AMAZING and he will do an amazing job (has a great reputation) but I am S-C-A-R-E-D.

Most doctors will tell us…you’ll know when to have the surgery, when you can’t tolerate the pain any longer. What foggy advice! Women generally tolerate greater inconvenience than men. Doctors are so fearful of lawsuits these days that they don’t/won’t provide clearer direction. Knee pain comes on slowly and unless we monitor what we can’t do anymore, time moves on and the decision for surgery is continually put off. The painful recuperation period is another delaying factor – unable to work, drive, run the sweeper, and in some cases care for another person (parent, spouse, sibling), etc. “A woman’s work is never done”! We would do well to focus on the statement by Betty T. – I’m getting better, those who put it off get worse. It’s just a hard pill to swallow!

I am 43 years old and was diagnosed with osteo arthritis when I was 36. At that time I had it in one knee (right). Now it has progressed to my left knee as well. I have seen 3 different doctors who all told me that I was too young to have knee surgery and that I should lose weight. I am at the point now where I have a constant limp, I am in pain all the time and find it hard to even walk up or down the sidewalk. I have to go down the stairs like I am a toddler learning to walk. I have young children whom I can’t do every day things with them. It is a very debilitating disease and it has greatly affected my quality of life. I can’t even remember what its like to walk normal. I am seeing a new doctor on Friday and hope that we can come up with something other than lose weight. I would love knee replacement surgery but at the same time I am a little scared. I am glad I found this blog because it has helped me to know that other women are going through the same thing I am going through and I am not alone. I am going to push for knee replacement. Even though it may only last 10 to 12 years I would still rather to be able to spend that time walking, shopping and playing with my children.

I recently had my knee replaced at 40. I switched doctors because I was constantly being put off. As far “Craigs” Comment. I ran track in college,played rugby in later life and led a pretty active life. At age 35 I could no longer run. Quite frankly most, not all orthopedics do not take women as seriously as men. I was in the doctors office w/a guy my age w/a knee not half as bad as mine. My leg was at such a bad angle one leg was an inch shorter than the other, he was having his knee replaced, I was told to suck it up. That is when I went looking for another orthopedic. I am a little over 2 months out from surgery and have not felt this good in years. My advice find a doctor that will listen if you don’t like them look for another one, yes it is doctor shopping, but it is also your health and your life.

There is no doubt that gender bias exists in the practice of medicine. Not by all doctors and not all the time, but often enough that it has been well-documented. The lesson for women in this is that we have to be our own advocates. Our life-lessons growing up have always been to put others first, obey authority figures, and to take care of everyone else. When it comes to our health (and many other things), we cannot continue to embrace those paradigms.

Doctor’s tell women to put off surgery while they operate on men for the same condition. What does this mean? This means it’s time for women to stop saying, “OK, you’re the doctor, you know best” and to start saying, “Are you out of your mind? Do you really expect me to continue to degenerate until I can’t stand it before you will correct this?” The sooner we start standing up for ourselves, the sooner we will be treated equitably.

The women who have taken the time to comment on here who have told their doctors they will not tolerate the pain and lack of treatment and gone on to find responsive doctors, and be treated according to their condition, not their gender. If your doctor is not giving you the kind of treatment you need, find another doctor who will. Be your own advocate.

Women often seem to fall into one of two categories: those who complain about the smallest pain and those who have high tolerance for pain. Therefore, it becomes easy for males to think that if a woman is complaining, she is one of those who complains about small pains. For that reason, those who have a reasonable tolerance for pain have to develop high tolerance to pain since no one will listen to them. The ones who cry and complain and get comforted learn to use their crying to get babied all of their lives. The rest of us who aren’t crybabies get their pain ignored all of the time.

I began complaining about pain in the joint where the big toe meets the foot back when I was a child. My mother did not like complainers, so she threatened to hit me if I didn’t stop complaining. As an adult, I complained to my drs about it (all male). They looked at the skin from a distance and told me that I was over sensitive to pain; I should just learn to live with it. Eventually I developed plantar fasciitis and got to a podiatrist. Not only did I have PF, but I also had the worst looking bunions he had ever seen. He wondered how I could possibly live with them. Well, I had no choice because no one would take my pain seriously. When I went in for my pre-op for a bilateral bunionectomy, my PCP argued the diagnosis the podiatrist had made.

When I was a child, I fell on ice and was left unconscious for several hours. I had severe back pain but my parents refused to take me in to see a dr and get x-rays. 3 years later, my brother was hurt playing football. (He got up and walked off the field by himself.) I finally got my mother to take me in on my brother’s appt. My x-ray revealed I had broken my spinal column in 2 places and it had healed crooked – it was too late to do anything to fix it. I would just have to live with the pain. (Spinal column was broken, cord was undamaged.)

Then I began having pain in my hip a few years ago. I had to fight (have a battle of the wills) with my PCP to get an x-ray of my hip. I won the battle. I had severe degenerative arthritis of my hip. (The ortho surg said it was so much worse when he got in to do the surgery – he didn’t know how I had been walking at all with my hip as bad as it was.) My current PCP now knows that if I say I have pain, that it is real – it has to be taken seriously.

Why do men get knee replacements earlier than women? Because men think that all women are crybabies and complain about the smallest thing. The truth is, from childhood on, the pain of females is regarded as unimportant and the pain of males is regarded as a major issue. When I asked my mother why my brother was going to an ortho surg for an injury from football and I never got to see a dr or get an x-ray, she told me, “Boys can get hurt, girls can’t.”

To the male who wrote how about how women don’t do as much heavy work, your opinion is of no value. You would be one of those parents who would let your daughter go around with a broken back and never take her to a doctor even though she was unconscious for several hours and continued in pain for years, but you would take your son to an ortho surg when he had a minor injury that he was able to stand up and walk off the playing field.

Doctors (and a whole lot of other people) need to learn that for every female who is a crybaby, there are 100 females that have very high tolerance for pain. Males have dominated the medical field for years, so their attitude that women are just complainers has dominated. It is way past time that doctors learn that a woman’s pain is as bad and often worse than a man’s pain.

Yes I’m another. Today I returned from the consultant only to be told your too young and loose weight. Yes I need two knee replacements

I am 53 and the problem started 30 years ago. Now I cannot walk any distance climb stairs get down or up from the floor The pain has now spread to my back and is 24/7

surely enoughs enough

Laura, I certainly feel for you. However, just how bad are your knees? Do you need to find a different ortho surg and get another opinoin? I was 54 when I was diagnosed with very severe degenerative arthritis of the hip. There was no option but a hip replacement because it was so bad. A coworker of mine had several smaller procedures for her knees because they said she was too young for knee replacement surgery. When she was 56, they finally gave up and replaced both knees since the more conservative measures did not work for her.

I wish you well. Nobody should have to put up with severe chronic pain.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good ortho surgeon in Santa Rosa, California?

I am up late tonight looking up information on knee surgery/replacements. I was glad to find this site. I am a 53 yr old female. I too am in need of a replacement and have been told that I am too young. I had 2 knee surgeries already on my left knee and the rt knee is almost as bad. The second opinion doctor looked at my x-rays before he met me and when he saw me he said “oh my, by the condition of your knees on the x-ray I thought I was going to meet a 75 year old lady with bad knees caused from OA.” He gave me a shot of cortisone, said “loose some weight and if this doesn’t work I will look into another type of shot.” The pain never went away and if anything, it feels worse. I am in so much pain even sleeping wrong causes pain. If I sit in one spot to long then my knee freezes up and it is painful and sometime difficult to get it started going again. Now my left hip hurts now from trying to adjust to the pain of my knees. I have gain about 50lbs in the last 2 years. I was always thin and loved water sports and even raced water skiing as a teen. I hate this but it seems like there is nothing I can do now but wait until I am 62 if my knees don’t crumble into dust by then… As for a man getting his knees replaced before a woman, I have not heard this yet until I read these stories. My heart truly goes out to those who suffer with this complication.

Hi i had bi lateral knee replacement july 09 .Im still in severe pain ,dr stated i might have rsd ..i would never recomend both at the same time,i have good range of motion but i cant straighten either one the whole way ,i cant stand for very long im still on a cane and in pt ..i havent slept a whole night in almost eight weeks still on pain meds or i couldnt make it ..

Im having Total Knee replacement November 16th. Im a beautician and have stood on my feet for 26 years, im 52 yrs old, I am so scared to go through this and deal with the pain and physcial therapy but when you cant walk or work you haven’t any choice.Does anyone know how long it takes for the pain to suside enough you feel like your back with the living again..And what kind of pain meds work the best?

I want to send encouragement to all the women (and men) who are dealing with osteoarthritis, insurance companies, recovery adn rehab, and the decision of whether they are ready and financially able to deal with joint replacements. I am 35, have had chronic knee pain for 18 years, and am trying to decide whether its time for the “big one”, the knee replacement. thank you for all the comments above; i am both shocked at some of the horrible standard of care some of you have recieved, and grateful for my orthopaedic surgeon who has taken care of me these 18 years with the utmost respect and genuine concern. I am not sure how long I will wait until my knee replacement, it will probably be within a year, and I am terrified of what is to come. I had my knee reconstructed when I was 17, following an injury from playing soccer. since then i have had 4 minor surferies/scopes and 3 rounds of synvisc; the first 2 rounds of synvisc were like miracles and the last was tragically ineffective, bringing us to the point of deciding whether now is the time for surgery. my doctor has never said he wouldn’t do it because of my age. in fact, he said he’s done it on people 10 years younger than me. He’s just careful to make sure that we’ve exhausted all other options. at this point, I have no joint left, am in pain every day, my active lifestyle is being limited increasingly every year and i am beginning to lose my ability to keep a positive outlook. i mean, i’ve been in pain more than half my life. it just gets hard to stay on top of things. you all have given me a lot to think about, thank you and best of luck.

Wow!! I am 47 years young and a horrible driver hit me with her car while I was jogging when I was 19 years old! Talk about a life of hell. I am in the process of finding the right surgeon, hospital etc.for a knee replacement. Right after the car accident, I was taken to a hospital that had no idea what to do, (this was 1981 people) and finally was sent to a hospital where basically all they did was remove torn cartilidge and put a cast on and tell me horrible news, (you’ll never jog again, you’ll never walk normally again). I was told there was Nothing they could and one day I would need a knee replacement. So for years with increasing BONE GRINDING and awful crunching, swelling, horrible pain, and about a 70 pound weight gain, surgeons are beginning to say O.K. But it’s been hell. Now I am struggling to find the right surgeon etc. SO, many doctors, nurses, (I am a registered nurse), and physical therapists have been so condescending and cruel at times giving terrible advice. And because people don’t see an obvious disability, such as braces etc people can be so critical, telling me I should exercise, hint: to lose weight and “why don’t you try physical therapy”. Duh! And yes women get treated like dirt frequently by the medical profession. I have also been treated as if I am mentally ill if I dare cry in front of the doctor and then they want to suggest antidepressants which also made me gain weight and did not change my situation which is yes, I need the knee replacement now please. It is a battle.

I am 58 yr’s old .I have osteo arthritis in many of my joint’s..The worst is my left knee, when i’m walking i can feel bone hitting bone.Went to see a surgeon who doe’s knee replacement,He said he would do my surgery after i loose 100 pound’s.That was 2 yr’s ago.It’s being a struggle cause the only way i can loose weight is by walking .Well my walking is very limited , i’m lucky i can walk outside for 15 minute’s when the pain hit’s me.In 2 yr’s i have lost only 46 pound’s , still have to loose 54 more pound’s.At time’s the pain is unbearable.I have seen myself cry with the pain.Why do they say you have to loose weight before you can get a knee replacement done .I want my life back …

My quality of life is zero and the orthopedic surgeon (male, of course) I saw said that overweight women in their 50s have more “issues” after total knee replacement and so he won’t do it.
This despite my having lost more than 100lbs after lap-band surgery…you can’t win.

I injured both knees when I was 44; I am now 50 & am still being tolfd I am too young and/or my knees are not bad enough. your article states that if the knee(s) are worse before surgery, their function will be worse after. That being true, don’t I have the right to be persistent in getting replacement(s)? Currently, my knees are practically bone-on-bone, plus, I’ve found out my left knee has a meniscus tear (along w/ the Bakers’ cyst I’ve endured since 2004).

Women tend to live longer than men and I believe that is one reason they encourage women to wait.

I’m sitting here crying in pain. I have been searching for anything to help me. I am 51 years old and have had knee pain for over 5 years. I finally went to a surgeon last year and they confirmed that both knees are bone on bone and I need knee replacement on both. Well, as you may have guested, I was told to lose over 50 lbs and then he would do the surgery. I asked how am I suppose to do this when I’m in so much pain that it hurts to even walk. I was told to ride my bike and swim. I can’t seem to drop enough, to get below the goal he set for me. He then suggested lapband surgery, but I’m just not sure if that is safe or whats best. If anyone has did the lapband, please let me know if it worked and helped. I do feel so much better knowing that I’m not alone, but at the same time feel sorrow that we all have to go through this. I work with older people and they bounce around like they are in their 20’s. I walk around like I’m 80, its so frustrating and humiliating.

I’m 54, I weigh 260 lbs, and Ive tried different injections, tried to loose weigh, tried therapy, and now, when I’ve tried everything, they are actually refusing to help me with surgury because of my weight. they just tell me to loose weight. I feel like I’m in limbo. They say lap band surgury. I won’t do it. This is too much, and I don’t know where to turn for help. I won’t have that surgury, and they won’t help me. Where do I GO now?

Recently I approached a consultant and even I was told the same to wait for some more time.

I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.

I am 44 years old and female with 3 growing sons. I have always been athletic and active and unfortunately had a nasty water skiing wipeout 5 years ago. I was seen in ER and sent home with the diagnosis of soft tissue injury (torn gluts and hammies). No x-ray was done even when I went back into ER to say my knee was swelling/numb more than the rest of my bruised (hip to heel) leg. Again, no x-ray was taken. I developed a baker’s cyst when training for a half marathon a few years back. Waited to see an orthopedic surgeon and found out by x-rays that during the waterskiing wipeout I fractured my femur head and totally tore off the ligaments.
Now I need a knee replacement at 44. Trying to put if off with Cortisone injections but that wears off after 2 months. I now have to hold my knee joint to push the clutch in while driving my car. I wear a knee brace when I am power walking to exercise and maintain my body weight (15 pounds overweight now). Ibuprofen and Acetominophen are part of my diet now.

I am at the point of saying-let’s just get it over with as I have pain even when sleeping! Being physically active is just part of who I am and have always been and this is getting quite frustrating and exhausting.

I realize that likely another more risky knee replacement will be required in later years, but also recognize the advancements of medical science are continual.

What would YOU do if in my situation? I am welcoming the wisdom of experience of others.

BTW-I am a health professional and regularly review research literature on the topic, but want to hear from the voice of experience to help influence my decision. I am from Canada, so payment is not an issue.

I am 40 years old I’ve had pain in both of my knees for about 6 years now. I’ve seen a Dr. about the pain I’ve had cortizone shots, didn’t work. I’ve had synvisx(sp?) shots in my knees didnt work. My Dr. told me to come back when I’m about 45 he wont do anything until then. I too have children who are 17, 2-14 yr olds and a 9 yr old. They are all in sports year around and I am tired of not being able to walk up and down bleachers! It hurts!!
I dont know what to do, I am able to get around for the most part but when winter comes and I have to hit the bleachers I am in so much pain! I’ve learned to just sit at the bottom of the bleachers because I can’t walk up and down them anymore.
I dont know if I should look for another doctor or just put up with it for a few more years. Either way this sucks!!!!

I am scheduled for right side knee replacement on the September17,2010. My problem is I am in so much pain I don’t know what to do. It’s that whole knee.From lower hip
to ankle. I’ve tried OTC meds, but I got in trouble with my doctors for taking too much. They didn’t help anyway. It’s too late for them to give my any heavy duty, so they say.
I’m also taking meds for depression-Seraquel, adivan,cymbalta and ambiem. The pain gets in the way and then I can’t sleep. I sometimes take more that I should–with no results. Please someone help me! I’ve
been hospitalized numerous times for suicide attempts. I’m tired. I’m in pain and I”m giving up.

Wow! I never realized how fortunate I am. I started having knee problems at 45. I went through years of NSAID (finally developed an allergy to them) synvisc, another form of synvisc (insurance changed to different doc system) and at age 57 I am having my first knee surgery in 2 days. I just hope to have the second one done by Dec so I am ready to go and be active again in the spring. The doctors have never put me off to have the surgery. They have said we will do 1 NSAID 2 Synvisc and then surgery and they have stuck with that.

Hello to all! My heart goes out to all of you, who are suffering unnecessary pain and disability. Hope you all can get the surgery you need.
I have been suffering with knee pain since childhood, in my youth I developped pain in my “good” knee caused by overuse. I had several accidents, injuries and even an infection inside the joint capsule that had to be treated in hospital by arthroscopy and drainage and a long course of powerfull antibiotics. I had my share of arrogant, belittling doctors, I have spent years in a lot of pain, not able to enjoy my children,
limping and dragging myself around. Always was told I was not old enough or sick enough. Finally after gaining 60 pounds due to my inability to move, I decided to go back home to Europe. I am stating to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Nobody ( doctors and relatives alike) could believe the state I was in and that I could never get my knees replaced. There’s a totally different mentality here regarding health ( I am sure it varies from country to country) It is taken for granted that people will get whatever treatement is needed to gain quiality of life. Several people in my family had knee replaced totally or partially, at a much younger age and being much less disabled than I. ( I am 57) Some had a series of surgeries, in back, knees, ankles and had been able to take all the time off they needed. It makes me angry that in the US people are not able to have that kind of care. I think people, specially women, must stand for their rights, because health is a right, not a luxury, and we must demand it from our governement. Even if it is a bit late for us… we must do it for our children. I cannot accept that my daughters must go through the pain and despair I had to go through.
Best wishes to you all ans keep on fighting.

While I think many peopl have good points, I have to go with the fact that most women have a higher pain tolerance than most men. Notice I say most because I don’t believe any statement can be true for all people, but I have to think that women must have a high tolerance for pain. The birth process is painful. Wince women are biologically equipt to handel that level of pain, it makes sense that we are equipt to handel other types of pain.

“Craig” is, well nevermind. I am a heavy equipmemt operator, worked in nothing but physical male oriented jobs, and kind of resent his “knowledge”. Have TWO blown out knees with ACL tears and meniscus tears. Can stand more pain than most men. I deal with it because I have to deal with life. The only man I know who doesn’t ever give in to pain is my husband. I think most women wait on injuries because we don’t have time for them!

My doc told me that my pain level was not high enough for the surgery. I call this the Agony Philosophy of Knee Replacement Surgery. I am 71 years old and how long should I wait? Does this mean I should be debilitated and in great pain and then get surgery when I’m not in good shape due to not being able to exercise?

Makes no sense to me.

I really feel for all the ones who are having tremendous pain and want to have their knee replacement done. I can realize the pain as one of my friend has also gone through the same and finally he had to get the replacement done. But after few weeks, he was really feeling better and is now able to make good movements.

does anyone know a good knee surgeon in Seattle.im a 60 year old female and quite active but my bad knees really get in the way. My right knee has been bad for several years and now my left is bad..I avoid stairs and have a job where I walk on pavement several hours a day for 15 years. My hip joints hurt too but my knees are the biggest problem. I swim at least once a week since my 20s and walk at least 30 minutes a day or my pain will be worse. I too have been told at age 56 to wait until I cant bear it any longer and to lose weight. I have a torn meniscus in my right knee the surgeon is worried about repairing as my bad knees may be “worse” after the tear repair. Any advise?

I am so happy I came upon this site, it has helped me so much. I am scheduled for right knee replacement on Dec 13. And 3 to 6 months after that the left knee. I wanted to have bilateral replacement at the same time but my insurance will only pay for one at a time. When I first talk to the Orthopedic doctor he recommended that I lose weight but he also did not want to put it off because after seeing my x-rays he said he does not even see how I am still walking. I don’t wish this condition on anyone but to know that there are others who know what OA does to your life is a relief. I pray that all those you are going through this will be blessed with healing; whether Divine or surgical.

I am 40 yrs old..starting seeing my orthopaedic dr. 6 months ago for knee pain, swelling, and stiffness. I had x-rays done and was told I have the knee of an 80-yr-old; bone spurs, severe arthritis, and my cartilidge was almost gone. Was told i’m too young for a TKR, even though I meet the qualifications for it. So I went through cortizone shots, had the fluid drained weekly, and went through a series of Orthovisc injections (1x a week for 3 wks). It brought temporary (a week or so) relief, thats it. Today I went back and had more x-rays taken~ found out that what little cartilidge I had is now completely gone. I am bone-on-bone and in so much pain. I was FINALLY told today that there is no other option for me except for a TKR. Have not scheduled it yet..got another draining today and a cortizone shot and am going to see him again in 4 wks. Guess he wants to buy as much time as he can b4 doing the surgery. I just want it done~ I have a 5 and 9 yr old that I feel I am letting down because I cannot do many activities with them~even simple standing for any amount of time hurts. I have felt depressed, angry, helpless..you name it. I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, though..

I was told at age 18 that I would have arthritis at an early age. It first showed up in feet problems in my 30s. At 45 I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee to repair a crooked knee cap and clean out the arthritis. The doctor discovered that I had NO cartilage left under the knee cap and sent me to a specialist in partial knee replacements. The specialist put me off on having the partial knee until I insisted. After the surgery the doctor admitted that I was right in needing the partial knee. Less than 1 year after the partial I was back riding bike and feeling good until I had a bad bicycle accident fracturing the tibia plateau in the same knee. The knee progressed pretty well but the doctor informed me that the arthritis was now through the entire knee and that I would need a full replacement. I recently went back to the specialist as a follow up to the partial knee and because the knee continues to deteriorate. I walk with a limp and am in constant pain. I do stairs like a toddler even though I try to push myself to do them normally. The pain wakes me up at night and there are times while walking that the pain stops me in my tracks. The surgeon said I am too young for this surgery and prescribed pain killers along with my arthritis med and said he would see me in around a year. I am so frustrated and angry. I am NOT going to live this way until I am “old” enough to have TKR. Going back to my orthopedic today.

Like many other writers, I have suffered with knee pain for over 10 years.
I am 71. My family has a history of arthritic problems. My brother had 2 hip replacements by age 55. My Mom had 2 knee replacements, My Dad had chronic back issues. My 2 kids have mild arthritis. When I went to my first ortho appt after waiting 6 months to get in, I don’t think he even bothered to look at my history. Incidentally, I also fell down a flight of stairs that were hardwood then when I was 23, I was in a car accident that caused the car to go over a 30 foot embankment.
I have also had both PF and Metatarsus pain. This 1st surgeon had me in his office less that 5 min. and told me my problem was my weight. I was livid. Since then I have been to a rheumatologist who confirmed that my body is full of arthritis. She sent me to a neurologist as well as an orthopaedic surgeon. I was told I wasn’t ready for surgery. Three different surgeons told me that yet I don’t know a day without pain. Just this weekend, I attempted to go to an RV show and you talk about pain and difficulty, I could hardly climb the stairs into the RV’s. My latest appt. the specialist told me to take 2 Tylenol at supper and 2 at bedtime in order to get a night’s sleep. Though I don’t wake up as often during the night, I now have other problems from taking so much Tylenol. I am at my wit’s end.

I am 42 and have bone on bone in my left knee (horrible, untreated knee injury in high school). Went to my orthopedic doctor who told me that if I was 62, he would do a partial replacement, no questions asked, but I’m 42. He wanted me to see his associate for a 2nd opinion. “I’m sorry, are you a 2nd rate doctor who doesn’t trust your own judgment???” Made an appointment with a 2nd ortho who took BETTER X-rays and told me that a partial won’t even work since the arthritis is throughout my entire knee. I am now waiting to schedule my FULL replacement for June. To everyone who is being told to wait, lose weight, blah, blah, blah GO SEE ANOTHER DOCTOR!!!!! Don’t stay with these idiots who have no idea what they are talking about!!!