I've been wearing these big hulking knee braces on both legs since 2015. They were my stop gap to delay knee replacement surgery. My knees were nearly bone on bone back then, but they WERE bone on bone almost two years ago. They work by pushing open the bones on the inside of the leg where they meet at the knee. Phone shot.
No need to wear the right one now with the three gel injections the neurologist gave me in the right knee. I'll have to continue to wear the left brace until she's finished with my left knee and we'll see if I can walk without it and without pain. Funny how my health insurance at my previous job would NOT cover the injections, but cover surgery... and Medicare covers the injections. Which would you rather have - surgery or the gel injections?
Two-steps per second, 12 to 15 miles per day on concrete, up and down metal stairs, 10 to 12 hours per day, four to six days per week, for nearly eight years takes a toll on the body. Something's gotta give out! This is why my yards went to hell from neglect.
LOL! In one respect, young people are no different than when I wore braces on my teeth as a teenager. They still like to make fun and jokes of people with physical issues. "You have bionic legs, Can you run faster, Is that your super power, Can you leap tall buildings, You are the bionic woman..." Good thing I still have my sense of humor. =)
It's bizarre what some medical insurance companies will or won't pay for. When I injured my shoulder recently my insurance wouldn't pay for any diagnostic procedures nor initial consultation with the orthopedic surgeon but paid for the operation, hospital stay and initial post op consultation.
I have no knowledge about the gel injections and how they work. I will have to do some research and reading.
Wow! This is so impressive. What kind of work was that which required that much movement?
As for a treatment prefference, I totally abhor injections - in the knee, I can't even think about that. Of course I would go for the option with longer lasting effects.
Your reply should be: I kick-asses bionically!
@salza Thanks for your comments, Sally! I was told that for some people - the injections last up to 10 years - for others six months. It all depends on what you're doing with the weight bearing stress on your knees. If you have osteoarthritis in your knees and the bones have not yet started spurring, this is the way to go. Unless you're a professional tennis player or athlete. Surgery would lay me up and I can't be laid up because of my mom. Surgery would cost a whole lot more than the gel injections and with a lot more pain. It only hurts for a few seconds with the needle vs. the long-time pain with the surgery.
@monikozi I worked for one of the big warehouses everyone loves to order from and I admit - I still order from there too. It was the only job to be found in town after I was laid off in 2011. No one really wants to hire anyone over 50-years old. However, this place will - as long as you can make their required rate. You have to push, push, push yourself to make the required rate of picking orders - 135 picks per hour and when you have a lot of ground to cover picking customer orders - you have to pound that concrete quickly. If you don't make rate, you get written up. Three write ups and you're gone. That's how you walk 12 to 15 miles per day. That should give you a clue. LOL! I love that reply! Next time, I'm going to use it. =)
@marlboromaam thanks for the info Mags. The injection sounds the perfect answer. I have not heard of them being used in South Africa but definitely worth finding out especially if knee issues occur.
As you know I always read to the end, today I had t read twice to make sure of what you have been through. Life sure can be a bummer for some and not for others. I have been through major invasive surgery and still have issues, which complicate life. Health insurance has been an uphill battle all along. I most certainly wish and hope that the injections give you the relief you need. thanks for sharing this with us Mags xx
@salza You know, I think the gel injections were used in Europe before they started using them in the USA. =) But let me know what you find out!
@ludwigsdiana And here I thought you were a beautiful healthy woman! Just goes to show that you never know. I certainly hope you're healing from your surgery, Diana! That's got to be painful and wearisome. I think the gel injections for my knees will do the trick. The right one is much better. I have to have faith! If God brings you to it, He'll get you through it and so the same for you. =)
I am also after gel injections in both knees. And I have a lot of fantastic diagnoses from very learned medics. Of course, it got worse and worse until my son, a biologist, accidentally diagnosed me. It turned out that I had lipoedema and my knee problems were a derivative of it. Since then, I have been wearing compression stockings and the knees pain has subsided. And the only cure is getting a lot of exercise.
@haskar Thanks for your comments, Haskar! I got plenty of exercise where I used to work - walking 12 to 15 miles per day at two steps per second. I wore medical grade compression socks, the best athletic shoes that could be bought at $196 a pair, and custom-made orthotics that cost me $180 every six months. I did everything the orthopedic and chiropractor told me to do and it still didn't stop me from wearing out the soft tissue between the bones of my knees and my mid to lower spine. Osteoarthritis is the loss of the soft tissue between the bones from overuse and abuse. I'm very glad to know you aren't suffering from this issue. I've seen my x-rays and where there's supposed to be black between the bones - there isn't any.
That sure is some serious hardware, I can't believe you have been forced to wear them for the last 6 years. I so hope these injections help with your quality of life.
I have no knowledge about the gel injections and how they work. I will have to do some research and reading.
As for a treatment prefference, I totally abhor injections - in the knee, I can't even think about that. Of course I would go for the option with longer lasting effects.
Your reply should be: I kick-asses bionically!
@monikozi I worked for one of the big warehouses everyone loves to order from and I admit - I still order from there too. It was the only job to be found in town after I was laid off in 2011. No one really wants to hire anyone over 50-years old. However, this place will - as long as you can make their required rate. You have to push, push, push yourself to make the required rate of picking orders - 135 picks per hour and when you have a lot of ground to cover picking customer orders - you have to pound that concrete quickly. If you don't make rate, you get written up. Three write ups and you're gone. That's how you walk 12 to 15 miles per day. That should give you a clue. LOL! I love that reply! Next time, I'm going to use it. =)
@ludwigsdiana And here I thought you were a beautiful healthy woman! Just goes to show that you never know. I certainly hope you're healing from your surgery, Diana! That's got to be painful and wearisome. I think the gel injections for my knees will do the trick. The right one is much better. I have to have faith! If God brings you to it, He'll get you through it and so the same for you. =)
@haskar Thanks for your comments, Haskar! I got plenty of exercise where I used to work - walking 12 to 15 miles per day at two steps per second. I wore medical grade compression socks, the best athletic shoes that could be bought at $196 a pair, and custom-made orthotics that cost me $180 every six months. I did everything the orthopedic and chiropractor told me to do and it still didn't stop me from wearing out the soft tissue between the bones of my knees and my mid to lower spine. Osteoarthritis is the loss of the soft tissue between the bones from overuse and abuse. I'm very glad to know you aren't suffering from this issue. I've seen my x-rays and where there's supposed to be black between the bones - there isn't any.
@milestonevisualmedia So true!
@kjarn Thank you, Kathy!