[SarahSw]

I have had 8 surgeries on my right knee from 2006 to 2009(due to an ACL reconstruction in which I got a staph infection and had to have 7 corrective surgeries involving a manipulation procedure, several surgeries to clean out the wound and remove cartilage in my knee) I'm only 25 years old and I have next to no cartilage left in my knee. There is not an hour that goes by that I am not in pain(standing still: 6-7 scale with a dull throbbing pain; walking: 8-9 with almost every step with a sharp stabbing pain) My Doctor has prescribed me Vicodin ES 7.50-750, 1 x every 8 hours for the last year, however I do not feel any relief anymore. I'm asking if anyone has suggestions on different medications that may help more.

[Robert_325]

I would be wondering more about doing a knee replacement surgery than taking pain medications for life. That is dead end at your age. Don't do it. God bless.

[SarahSw]

My surgeon had told me that I do need a replacement, however, I'm too young, so I'll need to wait until in at least 30 years. Hopefully once I get that, I'll be pain free, I'm just looking for advice on what to do until then.

[doc.rose]

Why do you have to wait until you are 30 to get a knee replacement? You have no cartlidge left in your knee, right? By the time you are 30, you might be in a wheel chair by then.

[Robert_325]

I agree with doc.rose totally. If your knee is shot it's shot. There is no age limit on knee replacement surgery. Drs prefer not to do them until a person is in their 60s but if the case warrants surgery it warrants surgery. That certainly beats becoming totally dependent on narcotic pain killers for the next near decade. God bless.

[SarahSw]

Thanks guys for giving me advice! I think I'm going to try to see a different doctor and get their opinion. With the current, I feel like I am not recieving any help or explanation abou twhat's going on with my knee. I had an MRI a few months back, and had an appointment 2 weeks later, and he didn't tell me anything new, then 1 month later when I go back, he says that the MRI from the month prior shows that I have cysts inside of my knee and that is one reason why I'm having so much pain. But when I had the surgery to take care of the cysts, he said afterwards that they are still there. So I am very frustrated. I will be sreaching for a new doctor! Thank you all!