"i am a 73 year old active male and i was initially prescribed tramadol by my orthopedic surgeon for arthritis knee pain 4 years ago.  since then i tore my meniscus in the same knee and following surgery to repair and clean some of the arthritis i pretty much have bone on bone.  since i have multiple medical problems eg; three hip replacements, heart attack, atrial fibrillation with pacemaker defibrillation implant, lung cancer surgery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, etc. i have decided i do not want to go through a knee replacement.  i have been using tramadol every day for 4 years and have to increase it when i play golf usually 2 pills 3 times to get through the round.  the dr is now objecting to refills which gives me a big problem.  "