mikosan wrote: I was also told that an injection of something was available that would help pending full surgery, any ideas as to what this might be and how to get it?
You are probably talking about synvisc which I was told would delay surgery/pain up to six months. I researched on my own and decided not to.
Like you, my doctors have told me to postpone replacement surgery (I'm 56) as long as possible. Technology is, of course improving, but I was told that after 10 years the knee will need a new replacement and, in doing, they will have to shorten your leg by 2-3 inches. If you start too early, and remain walking into your 70's and 80's you would have a severely shortened leg.
Thanks Legend. Yes Synvisc is the stuff, I spoke to Dr Tanawat today at BKK hospital. It's quite expensive and no good apparently if the knee is in too bad a condition, which in his opinion mine would probably be, after he'd looked at my 2 year old MRI scans and bearing in mind the knee hasn't got any better in the intervening time! I'll do some research, but like you I'm not sure it'll be suitable. I'll be 55 soon and have had the same medical advice as you seem to have had. I'm far from being incapacitated, although I might have a problem running a marathon, well, running at all actually, but I reckon I'll soldier on for the moment.
Vejthani Hospital in Bangkok is excellent..used by ex US Forces...Specialises in knee surgery and plus other specialisms but not as wide ranging or expensive as Bumrungrad..
Same as migrant..my consultant told me to go away & wear it out! (in a nice way)..but told me also that by the time I really do need a new knee in the U.K. ongoing technology will see that higher quality joints are available. But maybe he was kindly telling me to go forth 'cos my treatment had cost the NHS s**tloads of money already..5-5!
My consultant also told me that they would actually lengthen my leg at the time of fitting the new joint.
I DO hope the O.P. gets their knee problem sorted out, & tells us what treatment they used in the end.
