u/Claire515

I need to have knee replacement due to bone-on-bone osteoarthritis and bone spurs. I was scheduled last fall, but cancelled (partically due to health issues and partially because I just felt like it wasn't yet needed). Since then, the pain has gotten worse. I still manage fine day-to-day, can do stairs and walk short distances, but I'm having more flares and I really can't plan to walk more than a mile or so without pain. I also have a limp, a bowed leg, and now my ankle is collapsing (seeing a doc for that next month). All leg issues stem from a bad fracture 40 years ago. Anyway, now I have developed avascular necrosis in my shoulder from another fracture three years ago. The humeral head has collapsed so it looks terrible on MRI but doesn't cause me much pain yet. So my question, for those who have already had knee replacement surgery, is could you have managed your recovery with a mildly compromised shoulder? Did you find you needed a walker for full support after surgery, or could you put weight on your operated leg? I'd like to do knee replacement first since shoulder replacement can be postponed when I have more symtoms, but I don't know if that's wise.

I was recently diagnosed through an MRI with avascular necrosis in my left shoulder. It first presented in January after the start of a new fitness class -- initially diagnosed as frozen shoulder. PT helped somewhat, but I was eventually referred to a sports medicine doctor who finally, in May, diagnosed AVN (probably caused by a fracture in 2022). He felt surgery was imperative and referred me to an orthopedic surgeon.

I met with an orthopedic PA two days ago, and he seemed to agree that surgery was necessary, and he referred me to a surgeon, who I saw today. Both the surgeon and the PA seemed surprised, based on the MRI, that I am not experiencing more pain than I am. The diagnosis reads "Profound avascular necrosis of humeral head with subchondral collapse", and there's also a loose fragment that may cause further issues down the road.

Honestly, my pain is not that bad -- a general ache at a 1 or 2 level, some pain sleeping so need to switch sides, and I can't do my usual fitness program, swim or kayak. I met with the surgeon today fully expecting we'd be setting up a surgery date, but he said I could wait if I'm not experiencing that much pain. And it's true, I'm not -- but I was told initially that AVN will only get worse.

The thing is, I'm also overdue for knee replacemet surgery (bone-on-bone arthritis), but again, the pain is not that bad, but it's worse than the shoulder and affects my life more (can't walk long distances). Neither seem bad enough for surgery, but I'm 73 years old and don't want to face surgery when I'm 80 -- nor do I want to give up my last few remaining 'good' years rehabilitating from surgeries. So I don't know what to do. I want to remain active! Any advice?

My elementary-school-age grandkids are coming to visit and I'd like to take them to a community pool -- they love swimming and waterslides. I'm familiar with Goodman, but have never been there. Is it always packed? Can I stay with them inside in my street clothes? Are there similar pools nearby in other communities? Thanks for any info!