Comments on: Researchers: “Osteoarthritis treated with drugs/surgery instead of recommended guidelines”

By: 2GoodKnees

2GoodKnees — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:51:37 +0000

Juanita I think you are on the right track. My orthopod refused to book my knee surgery UNTIL after I lost 20 lbs first. He says having knee surgery but carrying around the equivalent of a huge bag of potatoes pounding on that injured knee every step is not a good predictor of surgical success. The odd thing: after I lost 22.5 lbs, my knee pain virtually disappeared on its own and no surgery was necessary after all! 🙂

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By: Juanita Belo

Juanita Belo — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:25:01 +0000

I agree with MDuffy – even though I have virtually no symptoms, my doctor referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon to discuss arthroscopic knee surgery for my OA. Neither mentioned loosing weight (I’m down 12 pounds already with 18 more to go and so I told both of them that we can talk more AFTER I’m down to my ideal weight for my height).

Neither were happy AT ALL about my decision to simply try weight loss and increased exercise instead of heading to the O.R. There’s just more money to be made doing surgery than if the patient becomes responsible for her health with lifestyle improvements, I guess.

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By: MDuffy

MDuffy — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 03:21:52 +0000

“…arthroscopic debridement of the knee – the most common procedure done by orthopedic surgeons today – has “no demonstrable efficacy” for knee OA..”

Perfect timing. My doctor is aggressively recommending knee surgery for recently diagnosed osteo. I have a strong family history (mother, sisters, aunts). But my cousin three states away, however, with the same diagnosis is on a totally different track. Her doctors right away ORDERED (end of conversation – they mean business!!) weight loss and daily physical exercise like AquaFit pool exercises and physiotherapy. No mention of “arthroscopic debridement” of her knees. I’m going to bring this article to my own doctor, and send it to every other woman in my family who by now believe that knee surgery is just “how it’s done” for osteo. No more!!

Thank you Carolyn for this information.

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