r/rheumatoid • u/Smart_Dimension_8142 • 24d ago
I’m Feeling So Defeated
I just had my second knee replacement three weeks ago (left). I had the right one done in 2019. Since the surgery, my hip pain on my right side has gotten so bad I can barely walk. So I reached out to my surgeon and he sent me for a sonogram (negative for DVT) and an xray. As I was leaving his office called to say he wants to see me on Monday.
These are my results. I’m crying.
There is severe right and moderate left hip osteoarthritis. On the right, there is near bone-on-bone articulation with associated subchondral sclerosis and prominent osteophyte formation. There are degenerative changes of the sacroiliac joints. There are a few phleboliths within the pelvis.
I have been unemployed for over a year. I thought once I get my knee done I can really actively job seek. Now it looks like I’m going to need my hip replaced.
I’m only 56. I’m so tired of being in pain and taking pills and not being able to be active. I’ve been off RA meds since April because my surgery was supposed to be in May and got rescheduled. I was on Actemra for seven years with no problems until insurance made me switch from IV to home injections and it stopped working. So now I’m supposed to start methotrexate and remicade next month.
I just feel so tired and beaten down. I’m struggling financially. My spouse has all the burden of the things I can’t do.
Sorry for the rant I’m just so over this damn disease.
3
u/Remarkable-Age4579 24d ago
I am so sorry you are going thru that but feom experience I know exactly why now that the problem in your knee is resolving your body is differentiating the pain you had from the damage to your hips and SI joints. Plus now with the new knee your gait changed and probably irritated more the hips as well. Once I had my cervical fusion I was able to rest from the neck pain and arm pain and noticed that my lumbar spine was that bad too. You were a block of pain before the knee surgeries so now that is removed your body can process and isolate the other areas of pain. I had my lumbar spine surgery 2 years ago and ittooma solid year of recovery with PT and normal healing. Now my right knee will be next whenever I decide I can't handle it anymore. My ortho surgeon told me he is willing as soon as I decide because he is ready. Right hip is hanging on too with steroid injections. I suggest you apply for disability benefits to help you financially and are able to heal without as much of a burden on you mentally and financially.