Knee replacement??

[Tank]

Anyone on here had a Knee Replacement operation, if so was it worth it.
Any Pros and Cons, opinions would be appreciated, Regards Frank.

[superquag]

Have a chat to Gavinwibrow.
:)

[gavinwibrow]

Hi Frank.
Had left knee done about 8 years ago at age 60 as the final resolution of a long standing (35 years) motorbike accident - not my fault but the result/outcome was just the same!
In 8 days I go to have the right one replaced. At 68, I decided to go early so after recuperation I could better enjoy the next 10 years rather than have increasing pain and reduced mobility, then a knee replacement. Not looking forward to the after effects, and hoping that I haven't forgotten how much work is involved in getting back to normal (bit like labour/birth I'm told).
Generally the word is put off until the pain gets too much, especially if under 60. Recuperation is not much fun, but helped greatly if you are active, or even better fit and not overweight, and you can expect at least 3 months of stage 1 physio workouts and then a gradual return to almost normal which can take 1 -2 years. I still don't like kneeling on my done left knee.
Many say if inevitable, try to get both replaced at the same time, remembering that unlike hips, as far as I know you still only get one real shot at replacement, but it should last up to 20 years. With the knee, they lift up you kneecap out of the way and cut through the bone above and below, then glue in a complete new joint with ends. It is quite a bit more complicated than a simple hip, and the biggest potential hazard is infection, so go with someone with a good track record. Bone pain is a feature, but at least these days they recognise don't be a stoic, and that active pain control speeds recovery.

You will also learn to hate airport security persons with full body scanning an automatic procedure (not naked thank goodness).

Happy to expand more if anyone needs info.
Good luck. Gavin

[gavinwibrow]

He snuck in while I was composing!

Would I do it again. Yes, quality of life improved and getting rid of the pain was life giving - especially to those near and dear to a grumpy old man and who had been putting up with him.

[Tank]

Thanks mate, I have had 2 operations on my right knee for cartilage removal back in the 70's and have the large scars to show.
Extremely painful operations back then up to 10 days in hospital and the physio was cruel.
I have been putting up with pain in my right knee for decades now and it has reached the point where I will soon not be able to walk at all. So I will have to go ahead with the op, I am 68 now so it is only going to get worse, thanks for your input, most appreciated, Regards Frank.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Mum had hers done last year, knuckled down and did the hard rehab but reaping the benefits now, full usage and mobilty:cool:
She is 81.

[Tank]

Mum had hers done last year, knuckled down and did the hard rehab but reaping the benefits now, full usage and mobilty:cool:
She is 81.
If your Mum can do it a youngster like me should be able to cope, Thanks all, Regards Frank.

[shakyknees49]

If you are happy with and confident about your surgeon, seriously consider having the op. I had both knees done ( outside half of the joints only ) ten years ago when I was 56. Bone on bone in both joints and a lot of pain..... very little pain post op , six weeks off work ( I had 25 years of sick leave saved up ) and the only metal detector that I have set off was on the Harbour Bridge climb.
One of the best things that I ever did.

Pete

[Tank]

If you are happy with and confident about your surgeon, seriously consider having the op. I had both knees done ( outside half of the joints only ) ten years ago when I was 56. Bone on bone in both joints and a lot of pain..... very little pain post op , six weeks off work ( I had 25 years of sick leave saved up ) and the only metal detector that I have set off was on the Harbour Bridge climb.
One of the best things that I ever did.

Pete
Well named then, thanks for that, my biggest worry is infection, when I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer nearly 20 years back, I had Radiation Therapy (worst decision of my life) which can effect healing and makes you more prone to Infection.
I can't imagine what it would be like to get an infection from the Operation, so I'll wait till I talk to the Surgeon before I decide, Thanks again all, Regards Frank.

[Don 130]

I got a half joint replacement about 7 years ago. It's been fantastic once over the rehab time which I did myself with the help of a community physio. Look forward to loosing a lot of fitness while lying on your back. I was told you loose 1/3 of your fitness per week in hospital. Then when rehab time comes you really have to work hard to get through the swelling and rapidly forming scar tissue to get the mongrel to bend again. The physio sacked me when she measured 130˚of articulation of the joint, but I continued myself to get my heel to touch my bum again as it had before.
As for infection, I briefly had an infection in the joint, but they detected it by my temp rising during the night. They poured antibiotics into me and fortunately got rid of it. They brought in a specialist on infections in artificial joints from another hospital to see me. He said if they didn't kill off the infection straight away, then the joint would have to be removed again, packed with something else, and put back in a year later, after the infection was dealt with.
Make sure you're as fit as you can be when you go in.
Don.

[gavinwibrow]

Look forward to losing a lot of fitness while lying on your back. I was told you lose 1/3 of your fitness per week in hospital. Then when rehab time comes you really have to work hard to get through the swelling and rapidly forming scar tissue to get the mongrel to bend again.

Make sure you're as fit as you can be when you go in.
Don.


And now they get you out of bed and exercising within 24 hours of the op - quicker the better, to beat the scarring building up and effectively freezing the area.

Organise a special knee strengthening program ideally from at least 6 weeks prior, and even better 3 months - it's worth it for enhancing recovery.

For a full replacement the max bend is usually about 130 degrees - and that takes a couple of months at least to get to - they like you to have at least 70 degrees before leaving hospital (6 days).

[Tank]

I got a half joint replacement about 7 years ago. It's been fantastic once over the rehab time which I did myself with the help of a community physio. Look forward to loosing a lot of fitness while lying on your back. I was told you loose 1/3 of your fitness per week in hospital. Then when rehab time comes you really have to work hard to get through the swelling and rapidly forming scar tissue to get the mongrel to bend again. The physio sacked me when she measured 130˚of articulation of the joint, but I continued myself to get my heel to touch my bum again as it had before.
As for infection, I briefly had an infection in the joint, but they detected it by my temp rising during the night. They poured antibiotics into me and fortunately got rid of it. They brought in a specialist on infections in artificial joints from another hospital to see me. He said if they didn't kill off the infection straight away, then the joint would have to be removed again, packed with something else, and put back in a year later, after the infection was dealt with.
Make sure you're as fit as you can be when you go in.
Don.
Don, how do you get about if,

Quote:"He said if they didn't kill off the infection straight away, then the joint would have to be removed again, packed with something else, and put back in a year later, after the infection was dealt with."

they remove the joint, seems scary, Regards Frank.

[Don 130]

Don, how do you get about if,

Quote:"He said if they didn't kill off the infection straight away, then the joint would have to be removed again, packed with something else, and put back in a year later, after the infection was dealt with."

they remove the joint, seems scary, Regards Frank.

I didn't ask for the details. I was just happy they had raided all the drug safes in the hospital in order that they had enough to treat me without running out.
I found the following on the web:

An antibiotic spacer is a device placed into the joint to maintain normal joint space and alignment. It also provides patient comfort and mobility while the infection is being treated.

Spacers are made with bone cement that is loaded with antibiotics. The antibiotics flow into the joint and surrounding tissues, and over time help to eliminate the infection.
Don.

[jimr1]

Hi Tank , my uncle had his done a few years ago , It took a while to come good , but he recones It was well worth It .His was pretty bad . Then the wife had hers done but only half , same story , took a while to come good but It's a big improvement , and she's fine now !!.. Jim

[Roverlord off road spares]

If your Mum can do it a youngster like me should be able to cope, Thanks all, Regards Frank.
Tank, My sister is 52 and needs 2 joints replaced, she is bone on bone, she needs to get some weight off first before they can operate and is on the a priority waiting list. Last week she had her stomach reduced by 1/3rd in an operation , so when some kgs come off , she's in.

She has been told by specialists that they don't like doing "Young People" as in 10 years time she would probably have to have them redone. Hence they prefer to do it to the oldies that are at the end of their lives instead of giving younger ones a bit of pain free freedom.

In 12 months they predict she'll be wheel chair bound.

Of the people I know that have had it finally done, the freedom of movement is worth it.
Cheers,
Mario