Question
I have JRA. my problem is my right knee. its been giving me constant pain and i know it needs surgery. i already have both hips replaced. my question is .. is there other means of getting of the pain other than surgery? not just my knee is in pain, also my shoulders but the knee is giving me a lot of pain. so have to focus on that first. life has been so difficult w/ my condition now. i hope you can enlighten me.
Answer
The question is whether the pain you are experiencing in the knee is due to ongoing inflamnmation or due to severe destruction in the absence of inflammation. Since some patients may have both inflammation and destructioon at the same time, it is often difficult to figure out. If the predominant problem is destruction, then surgery may be the best option.l However, if there is ongoing inflammation (evidenced by elevated ESR, other inflammed joints or inflammation in the joint fluid on examination) then a trial of more aggressive anti-inflammatory therapy might be useful. Discuss with your rheumatologist.
