I tried to get the VA to scope my knees but they said they don't do it anymore! :confused:

Big Teddy :munchin

to scope or not to scope
 

Big Teddy, I know you've been strugglilng with those knees of yours for quite some time and you've tried most everything I know of to try short of knee replacement. I'm not sure a knee the arthroscope will help at this point. Scopes are good if you have an acute tear in the ligiment or cartilage but for osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis) it's likely to make things worse. If your knees are already bone on bone, the bracing, and or injections didn't give you lasting relief then the scopes probably wont help. The only only other thing I can think of which may offer the smallest amount of relief is weight loss if that is even an issue. You can reduce the force accross your knee by 2.5 pounds per step with each pound of lost body weight. If you'd like, I can talk to you about surgical options or look at films if you have them, just PM me.
Boomer

Knees
 

I know this thread has some age to it but so do I..:p

I was wondering where you stand with your knees, any other treatments?? I too have bad knees and just checking out what your treatments were. I am also diagnosed wth Osteoarthritis. I have trouble with both knees and both shoulders. I had my right should operated on 2 years ago and I swear that its worst now than it was....:confused:

Thanks for the update....

Habu,

My knees are totally shot,I need replacements in both knees....... I would do it in a minute if I could,but I can't do anything due to my wife's medical condition...... That operation would put me down for a while and I wouldn't be able to cook or take her to her doctors which are many(7)also keep up the basic house cleaning chores.......... She's in a power wheel chair and unable to do much,so I'm just wearing my braces when I need to............. They do help but they are still kinda bulky to get around in comfortably............I'm still getting my shots,but like you my shoulders are killing me now,I've got Osteoarthritis also............ Try the braces,they do help,you should be able to get them from the VA without a problem.......If you need info on them like brand name,etc just PM me and I'll try to help....... :)

Big Teddy

They have stopped giving the cortisone shots at the VA,so I went to a private ortho doctor for them and he introduced ms to a product called "Pennsaid".............I've just started using it.............It is a prescription drug that's very expensive .............I'll let you know if it works.........;)

Big Teddy :munchin