I've had bad knees my entire life. Injured my bad one July 4th and it hasn't acted right since, so I went to the orthopedist today. The diagnosis blew me away ... advanced osteoarthritis. I'm looking at 2 years tops before a total knee replacement. I'm shocked - I'm only 41 years old.

So I'm getting my plan in place ... got to drop a lot of weight and need to follow the exercise guidelines for my knee, starting injections next week, doing everything we can to put off the replacement.

But .. what does this mean about my future as an RN? I've still got ~ 2 years of prereqs to do so realistically speaking the replacement would probably happen before then.

Nothing is a show stopper: just another tricky day. Just give yourself several plans of attack to accomplish it. You're a young whipper snapper! My 86 year old step dad had one knee done at a time, and did not have too much 'shelf' time. Now he's out planting his garden and doing yard work, happy as a bumble bee. Hope you have insurance!

No reason why it should (die). I know several people who have had knee replacement. The results were better for some than for others depending on their overall health. Losing weight and getting healthy before surgery is key. You have two years so it's doable. Nursing is a very broad field - if you need to - find a specialty that doesn't involve a lot of walking. I have a friend who does not have the best knees or feet in the world this has been an ongoing thing for a long time for her but she just retired from a career in nursing so bottom line it never held her back professionally.

Hi DaughterofRuth,

I know you must be feeling like your dreams are being shattered by the surprising diagnosis but they are not. Like our other friend stated, it's just another tricky day. Your knee is going to be better than ever. Keep your eye on your goal and don't get sidetracked. I want to advise you to start taking (Grape Seed or) Pine Bark extract right away. Dr. Rosenfeld was on House Calls on Sunday and it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for osteoarthritis of the knee. Personally, I also use tart cherry juice for pain (order the concentrate from a cherry farm in Michigan, it's much cheaper than store-bought and very effective). Use these supplements along with your plans of weight loss and possible knee replacement. You are young!! Nothing needs to stop you from your life's goal and calling of being a nurse. These temporary interruptions are going to make you a better nurse, no, the BEST nurse you can be.

I have an ex-girlfriend that was an administrative assistant at a nursing home. One of the CNA's at that home was missing her leg from just below the knee!

If she can work with 1/2 a leg, you can work with a bum knee that will be fixed by the time you finish school!