RA: We Never Know What Is Lurking Around the Next Corner

A little over a year ago I shared a story here entitled "RA Grab Bag Goodies." I had a Baker’s cyst rupture in my right knee. After a trip to the ER and a week (plus) on crutches, I was referred to an orthopedist who over the last year did multiple injections that gave short-term relief. He kept telling me that I was going to need a new knee.

Problems with my knee

About 6 months ago, the knee started popping and catching. Around the middle of October I started having some lower back problems that were different than I had had before. (I have had back problems for a long time, diagnosed with scoliosis several years ago.)

From the get-go I knew that this was NOT GOOD. In the meantime the knee worsened to the point of jumping out of joint. Another trip to the orthopedist, another injection. I asked him about a brace to stabilize it until I could get my back straightened out. His answer: “You don’t need a brace.” (Red flag!)

Developing painful back problems

The back problem progressed to a roaring sciatic pain that sent me to the ER on Dec 30th. X-rays showed that the scoliosis had worsened. I was referred to a neurosurgeon (appointment was 7 weeks out, of which I spent pretty much 24 hours a day in an office desk chair (it was the only thing that I could tolerate sitting in.) I could not walk or stand for more than a few minutes and laying flat was excruciatingly painful.

An MRI showed degenerative disc disease

In the meantime, I got my family doctor to order an MRI and got some help with the pain. The MRI showed degenerative disc disease, arthritis, 2 bulging discs, severe narrowing of the spinal canal, and bone spurs. Verdict from the neurosurgeon: surgery to relieve the bulging discs.

I was sent to physical therapy as a precursor to surgery. The therapist stopped it after a week because my knee couldn’t tolerate it. I got injections for the bulging discs that have helped with the pain but not the extreme weakness in my legs. I see the neurosurgeon again on April 7th. Hopefully I can get the surgery scheduled then.

Addressing one issue at a time

Back to the knee. I was able to get an appointment with a sports medicine doctor who I had a history with in the past. X-rays showed bone on bone in the lateral joint. He started a series of gel injections and put me in an "unloader brace" that has stabilized the knee and takes some of the pressure off of the joint where the cartilage is gone. (So much for "not needing a brace.")

First order of business is to get the back taken care of, then we will deal with the need for a new knee.

I have a lot more living to do

One never knows what is lurking around the corner with RA. At 74 years old, the cumulative effects of it are catching up with me. I have led a very active life, did road cycling at a high level for years, stayed in shape as much as I can and am thankful for the good health that I have been blessed with.

I will come out of this with the same attitude that I went into my RA journey with at my diagnosis 10 years ago: "I have RA, it doesn’t have me. It may cripple me, it may take from me, and it may kill me, but it will never defeat me."

Regardless, I am a blessed man, and I have got a lot more living to do. We soldier on and meet it head-on and deal with what comes today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.