posted 11-16-2004 04:59 PM         

I've had several surgeries on both knees over the years and I am to have a partial knee replacement performed on Friday.

I've done quite a bit of research on the procedure, I'm confident with my orthopedist and have talked with a few people who have had full and partial replacements, but I just wanted to see if anyone on POA had any comments &/or tips.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

posted 11-16-2004 06:06 PM         

I'm sorry to say I can't address your specific question about pain related to knee replacement. But I can speak to life style altering and chronic knee joint pain.

I've been told by my orthopedist (about 5 years ago) that my left knee is gone (zero cartilidge from previous surgery and missing anterior cruciate) and needs to be replaced. He told that on a scale of pain from 1 to 10 (10 worst) to wait until I was about a 15 before having it done.

What are both of your thoughts? Is it worth getting my knee replaced (generous adjective), or should I hang in there and put it off? To put it in another way..was it worth it, would you do the replacement surgery over again?

chromer.

Case in point, my mom cracked her hip about 1 year ago. It was misdiagnosed and healed wrong. She could hobble along and had a fair amount of pain with it. One of the things she really missed was taking her dog for long walks in the afternoon. So, we scheduled a partial hip replacement and within 24 hours she was walking, within 3 weeks most of the pain with the surgery was gone, and within 6 months she was actually jogging (and pain free).

quote:

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Originally posted by YellowFever:

The downside is, she sets off the metal detectors at the airport now!

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posted 11-17-2004 01:56 PM         

Although it is an uncomfortable recuperation with lots of physical therapy afterwards, they were all up and about within a week, and were golfing, etc. within 3-4 months, and were thrilled to finally be pain-free and mobile again.

I understand there are lots of different replacement parts out there, and the main thing (as I understand it) is to pick the one with a working life long enough that you don't have to go through it again.

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Originally posted by Dead End Don:
I understand there are lots of different replacement parts out there, and the main thing (as I understand it) is to pick the one with a working life long enough that you don't have to go through it again.

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LOL! Leg parts are heavy duty surgical stainless, joint is about 1/2 inch thick of tephlon impregnated nylon.

The joint typically doesn't wear out (at least not in the next 10,000 years) it's usually other parts of the bone, the leg, or hip that go.

posted 11-18-2004 10:24 AM         

I understand that there ARE a variety of competing products out there, including some new ceramic-based products. They do have different expected working lifespans, and different issues with each. One of my friends ended up doing a fair bit of research on the various replacement joints out there, before making a decision and then finding a doctor with lots of experience with that product.

Some doctors prefer to work with one product or another, but there are choices, so I would not go in for this type of surgery without at least being aware of which part they were going to put in...

posted 11-18-2004 01:12 PM         

I have several surgeries on both knees over the years. All this is a result of football/basketball thru High School/College and from lifestyle (jumping off bars,etc). My right knee is essentially bone on bone on the medial (inside) side. I'm to do a partial replacement, which replaces the damaged part. A lot less invasive and a lot shorter recoop period than a full replacement.

I'll report back in 2-3 weeks.

posted 11-22-2004 12:10 AM         

Sue had a total hip replacement in June. Once she woke up she said the hip pain was gone. She had the pain and discomfort from the surgery but the other pain was not there.

She has recovered and is not limited due to the hip. (Her Parkinson is another story)

I attended the class she had to take before hand and there were several people in to have the OTHER hip/knee done, they all said they wish they had done it sooner.

Sue didn't want to have it done for the reason Rich mentioned about his mom. Well in the medical field things just keep improving anf they lasy a lot longer then they did 5 years ago. The doc told her it should last at least 25 years but they do not know for sure.

I have pain in my left knee from injuries early in life. They do not bother me too much right now so I live with it. Once it gets to the point I cannot do what I want without pain meds, it will be time to get replacement

posted 11-22-2004 03:36 AM         

AND QUIT JUMPING OFF THOSE BARS

Hey Butthead... heh heh, heh heh ......lookit that old dude climbin' up on the bar... heh heh, heh heh.....

shut up Beavis, he's gonna dance for the old chix, heh heh.....

uhhhhhhh, heh heh, heh heh...I hope he like, uhhhhhh, like he doesn't drop his crutches or sumthin', or those old chix will be on him like stink on fresh dog crap, heh heh heh heh....

posted 12-03-2004 10:23 AM         

Thanks for all all the well wishes!

To answer some questions and respond to some comments:

Chomer - Too early to say if it was worth it or not. Atitude has a lot to do with it. I made sure I was going to have a good one and was determined to get to all stages in record time.

Ed - My Orthopedist recommended Glucosamine/Chondroitin to me years ago and I think it really did help for a while and would highly recommend it for anyone with minor joint pain. Can get it over the counter at any drug store. Yeah, many replacements are a necessity with those who are overweight. The extra weight is more stress on the joint. I fluctuate between 5-10 pounds overweight and when I shed the 10 pounds it does make a difference.

CJ, Dead End & Tangled - I talked with a lot of people who had the surgery and 9 out of 10 said it was the best quality of life decision they had ever made. Time will tell if i'm in that 90% or not.

The absolute worst problem I had was with the pain medication. I had an epideral (sp?) in the leg, but was perscribed Oxycondone for pain. The stuff gave me severe headaches, nausea, etc. Threw it away and took Tylenol PM to sleep on for a couple of nights.

posted 12-03-2004 10:29 AM         

Good luck

posted 12-03-2004 06:13 PM         

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Originally posted by Randy Cobb:
I'M Back!

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Hi Randy!
Keep us posted on your progress.
...post early and post often, get well soon,
JWD and Chromer

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