Knee replacement surgery anyone?

[Carolina]

Dearest angels,

Well, I am wondering if it's time for the knee replacement my orthopedist promised me 'the next time I see you".  That was three years ago.

Has anyone here had knee replacement surgery?  Or partial knee replacement surgery?  I don't know what I need, but my guess is total knee replacement.

I'm going to make an appointment to discuss this with him.  Since I'm already 72, and replacements last up to 20 years, I see no reason to wait until my health is worse and I am weaker.  If it's time it's time, right?

All thoughts, ideas, suggestions, comments are most welcome!

Hugs,  Elaine

[Nancy60]

You are smart to get it done before you are more ill, and weak.

It wil help you rehab much faster the healthier and more mobile you are before surgery.

I've had many patients tell me they wish they had done the surgery sooner because they would have been stronger, healthier etc... 

You can do some strengthening exercises for your legs prior to surgery that will help you recover more quickly if you're worried about that.

If knee pain is significant enough that it limits the activity you would/or used to be able to do, a knee replacement might be a good option if other options have been ineffective.

Big decision but could make a big difference in your quality of life.

Best wishes

Nancy

[litliwlowa]

Hi Elaine

I haven't had knee replacements YET but was at that stage in 2009 for both knees (I wear donjoy braces instead). Still hanging on to my originals at 58. If I were a decade older, I'd do them both. Meanwhile I keep dodging my orthopedic knee doctor.

So I'll be following this topic should you decide to go ahead with it. I'm on the fence myself but my worse knee is starting to slip and leg under that knee has shifted more inward. (at least I don't waddle like a duck yet lol)

I hear good things about knee replacements though. And from what I hear the recovery time is much improved over what it was decades ago.

I'm pushing back on having mine for as many years as I can given my age.

Hugs

Amanda

[anita]

I had my partial knee replacement 10 years ago at the age of 40.  It has done well, but if I had more information at the time I would have gone with the full replacement right off.  The only difference is the knee cap...partial keeps your own knee cap and the full replaces it.

My was not done properly and they did not resurface the under side of the knee cap so I have patella/femoral condition where it rubs.  I've gotten used to it for the most part but can still be bothersome at times.  I also have times where the knee seems lose now and I don't know how many more years I'll get out of it...but so far, so good and i try not to worry about it.  But I imagine I will have to have a revision to full at some point...oh what fun.  For me it's a big deal with the stroke history and blood thinners.  My first one hemorrhaged and I spent 28 day in the hospital.

I agree you should do so why you are still strong enough to handle the significant PT that follows.  Not to mention that healing takes long with age...for everything.   So I would talk to your doctor now vs later.

How much does your knee bother you now?  Can you bend down, stoop, do stairs, without pain?

[Carolina]

Ah dearest Anita, no I cannot bend down, stoop, or climb stairs without pain.  That is why I'm considering this now. 

That and I have a friend whose mother is 84, and in poor health, and having a very difficult time dealing with her knee replacement surgery.  He's already had to fly to her home to help her twice.

It's funny.  I realized that thinking "I'll do it when I'm older and really need it" has became "strange thinking!"

I'm 72, and my knee really hurts now.  How much older is 'older'?  And how much more pain is 'really hurts' when you have a high pain threshold and manage pain very very well (relaxation & meditation works miracles, as well as gentle exercise).

In addition I have severe to profound peripheral neuropathy (two out of the three major nerves in my legs are completely non responsive - gone).  So I don't walk very much.  But I want physical therapy for my Peripheral Neuropathy and I realized that I have to deal with this knee as well.  They 'go together'.

And PT won't fix my knee at this point.

I'm going to call the Orthopedist tomorrow.

A long journey begins with the first step.  And why not?

Hugs,  Elaine

[LucyD]

Good wishes Elaine. Please keep us posted as you proceed. I am 61 and not close to a knee replacement at this time.

But I hope this helps a little:  I work in a medical building that is on a hospital campus. There is a large orthopedic surgery office on the top floor of the building. I am constantly meeting people on the elevator and the topic of their surgery comes up. (Very slow elevators.  ) Also, a woman about 65 in my office had knee replacement surgery a few years ago. They all said they wished they had done it years ago because it is so wonderful to not be in pain.

Good luck.
LucyD

[susanep]

My dad had it done last year, and he is 81, but it took him awhile to recover. He did have physical therapy before the surgery, and then after. He needs a hip replacement, but he isn't going to do that now.

He is afraid they will put him in the nursing home so no more for him, but his is a different set of things going on.

He is not very happy now since he has had to let others drive him around, and is not to drive himself anymore.

He was always a very hard working independent man, but he was in a car accident a couple of weeks ago, and his 14 year old great grand daughter was in the car with him. They are both fine, but no one wants there to be a next time.

I would do what you feel is right for you Elaine. If I was going to have it done, I guess sooner rather than later would be better.

I hope whatever you decide you will feel better soon.

susanep

[daisychain]

My mother has a similar mind-set to yours Elaine and put off having the op for ages as she was 'coping just fine'!

She had TKR a year ago at age 86, under epidural.  She thought she could avoid hearing all the noise of the operation by removing her hearing aid, but they wouldn't allow that as they wanted to be able to communicate with her - she said the noise was the worst part.

She had put up with her painful knee for so long the lower leg had twisted round and her foot was sticking out sideways to her leg, and the surgeons  even straightened her leg.  She has done amazingly well and within months was back to her usual social routine; she lives alone, but friends helped out by giving her lifts etc, though most of the time she prefers to use the buses as getting into low cars is very difficult.

Good luck with what you decide.  Based on my mother's experience, I'd say go for it now and enjoy greater freedom sooner rather than later.

[Carolina]

Well, angels, I made an appointment for April 24.  So I'm on the way.

The feed back I've been getting is that 72 is optimal timing for an elective knee replacement.

I'm getting advice about methodologies and such.  Unfortunately I'm in an HMO Medicare Advantage plan, so I can't shop around.

Fortunately, the HMO includes Duke doctors and Duke hospitals, which is why we chose it.

And I have to remember:  my experience may be completely different from the experiences of those I've talked to.  There is always danger in hospitals, and in major surgery.  In fact, this will be the first major surgery, that I've had.  I had a bone taken out and a ligament put in its place in my left hand, but that was minor compared to knee replacement.  And a hysterectomy and bladder tack, but that was transvaginal.  Gazillion stitches for a 'remodeling' of things, but no big incisions.

But, since I seem to be sticking around above ground, I figure I can try this knee thing to improve my walking, my sleep and my general pain level.  If the doctor thinks it's time.

My husband doesn't know I'm starting this process.  I am reluctant to share it with him as it freaks out about my health conditions enough as it is.

I'll see what the doctor has to say first.  If he says wait, no point in rocking hubby's boat just yet, right?

Hugs,  Elaine

[cccourt1942]

The feed back I've been getting is that 72 is optimal timing for an elective knee replacement.

I LOVE this wording.  It's just the term I need to go see an ortho for myself.  My knees still work...but I have said for years I have a "trick" knee.  Now with this dx and from all of the info on this forum, I realize it's arthritis and I need to address it.  Spent way too much time worrying about my ankles.  THANKS ELAINE!  You have spurred me on.  (Even though I am only 71-- until later in the week!!  ha, ha).

Good luck with all the variables with which you must work.   If hubbie grouses, ask him if he wants to be pushing you around in a wheel chair or walking side by side with you! 

[Richards1953]

I had a full knee replacement about 6 years ago. (age 54).  I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Recovery was relatively fast for what they did - but you MUST do the exercises that the physiotherapist will give you.  When I was doing the physio, my therapist actually told people she would not work with them any longer unless they did what they were told.  I have been hiking up to 4-5 times a week until recently when the dry mouth is just too much.  I actually did a hike yesterday with a pocket full of gum and candies and a large water bottle!  My knee is strong and I have had absolutely no problems with it since the surgery.

[Velcro]

I need one on my left knee but I'm being a big ole' baby about it.  95% of the time (talking to patients), any type of trauma (including surgery) seems to make the Morphea kick into high gear and start spreading again.  Mine has finally stopped over the last 6 months and I'm terrified of it kicking it in worse.  So I told my ortho that I would wait until I absolutely couldn't take it no more!

[Carolina]

Oh CC, he wants to be walking about six feet ahead of  me, quite honestly.

Right now he has to wait so I can hold his arm.  So the best choice is does he want me holding his arm, or does he want to charge on ahead per usual!??

The thing about a bad knee is that is throws everything else off.  Add that to nerve damage, horrible arthritis in my feet, Raynaud's AND Plantar's Fascitis, and my legs are beginning to atrophy!

I can see my calf muscle disappearing right before my eyes.

EEK.

And I AM VERY COMPLIANT.  That is why I cleared up dreadful Plantar's Fascitis that had plagued me for 4 years, in just two weeks.  Cause I do what I'm told to do!

Bizarre, eh?

Unless the wrong person tells me what to do, of course.  Then......

Hugs,  Elaine

[Scottietottie]

Hi Elaine 

I had a partial knee replacement in 2006 and it was just the best. I went from being really quite disabled to feeling as though I have a normal knee again. The physical therapy after it was painful - but well worth doing - and the whole procedure was a total success.

Take care - Scottie 

[cccourt1942]

And I AM VERY COMPLIANT.  That is why I cleared up dreadful Plantar's Fascitis that had plagued me for 4 years, in just two weeks.  Cause I do what I'm told to do!

Oh..that should give you hope.  TWO WEEKS. That is amazing.  Now..that you remind us of your feet..I recall the pics you posted.  Oh dear.  Is foot massage helpful?  I guess you can't feel that much...but for the swelling?  Oh dear.  This is so complicated. 

You know...whatever you decide, you will make the most of it.  You have that spirit!

Have a wonderful day...