Knees

• By cdamoo
• Posted October 11, 2008 at 4:42 pm
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Would like anyone suffering with this to help me make a decision on joint replacement surgery for my knees

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• By Msmith518
• Posted October 12, 2008 at 10:06 am
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I also need a total knee replacement after 5 years of doing cortizone shots and synvisc I can no longer wait. My pain is unbairable and my quality of life is poor. I want to be pain free. Make sure you have a good doctor. Have you tried the shots already?

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• By Serenity2
• Posted October 12, 2008 at 3:43 pm
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Make sure you get more than one opinion. Are you overweight? If so, that causes extra stress on knees. Get your weight down. Your age is also a fact which governs type of knee surgery recommended. The FDA has not endorsed glucosamin/chondroitin/MSM/hyaluronic acid. However, many people have benefitted from it, which means it works for some. It's not a prescribed drug, so the pharmaceutical industry certainly doesn't endorse it. I was told (so I am not certain) that the military mandates this supplement for 82nd Airborn soldiers because they do a lot of jumping out of planes and sustain injuryies to joints. Talk to you physician about kinds of physical therapy you can safely do that will strengthen the muscles indirectly around the knees to help support them. Try to find people who have had the surgery to see how it went with them. Above all, don't allow any surgery until you are absolutely sure. Before you make any decision, pray to our loving heavenly Father for guidance and protection. Hope this helps.

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• By JoanOlesen
• Posted October 13, 2008 at 12:49 pm
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Knee replacement has become one of the most common surgeries in the world. If, though, you are a woman, find an orthopod with experience - not just knowledge of - but actual experience having implanted the Zimmer Gender Knee. It's the only one I've heard of that's designed specifically for the different shape and size of a woman's knee. I have a friend who's had it done on one knee, and she says it's terrific. You can find out about it by googling gender knee, I think.

I'm supposed to go through this procedure myself, but I can't. I can't afford the time for recovery since I have to work to support my family. Keep that in mind - it takes from several weeks to months to recover with physucal therapy and pain meds. Don't forget the pain meds. They'll be necessary to some degree. I know you're scared, but you cannot live the rest of your, however long it might be, with pain that prevents walking or climbing stairs. I do Curves 3 times a week which keeps the muscles around the knee strong. Still - if I make it through a giant WalMart and back to the car without more than some aching, I consider it successful.

Please pay no attention to so-called miracle cures. They're all garbage.

Good luck!

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• By cdamoo
• Posted November 3, 2008 at 6:35 pm
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Hi, I'm glad I"m hearing from someone with the same problem. No, I have not tried the shots. I know they are painful and they don't last. Do you need 1 replacement or 2. I need both. When will you be going for your surgery? I 'm really petrified. I have read about it online and its very scary. Just the thought of them taking out your parts that will never be able to come back. What happens if the surgery is a failure? My mind just starts to race away. Really scary. My doctor is well known in the area and I picked him because he belongs to the same hospital that I have because I have problems with my heart. I just might go for another opinion though. Anyway, let me know what you decide.

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• By Msmith518
• Posted November 5, 2008 at 8:26 pm
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Hi,

I just read your message, I'm sorry it took so long to reply. I need one knee replacement at this time. My one knee has been bone on bone for about 3 years now. My other knee is getting worse and worse. I would never suggest getting both done at one time. I am in my 40's and I have been trying to hold off as long as a I can because the replacements only last so long.

I would strongly recommend getting the shots. I have been doing it for 3 years. As time goes on yes the shots don't last as long but I usually could get about 10 weeks out of a shot and it was a huge relief and no they are not that bad in pain at all. I have had many injections and I can honestly tell you none of them were that bad. There is no pain afterwards either. On occasion I would feel a little like a bruised feeling for a couple days but only a few times. Have you talked to your Dr about getting the injections and if so what did he/she suggest? I live in Michigan and I have a very good Dr also. I dread the thought of that surgery and it scares me also but honeslty I am to the point were I can't take the pain anymore and I want it done. It hurts to much and it is really restricting my life. I want to be able to do more with my children and I can't. Are you bone on bone? Hope to hear from you soon.

MaryAnne

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• By duzimay
• Posted November 7, 2008 at 5:58 pm
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I had both knees replaced in 1996.I had them both done at the same time because I knew if i didn't, i knew I'd never come back for the second knee. Now, if faced with the same situation , I wouldn't do both of them at the same time.I was in the hospital for about a week, and in a rehab for about 3 weeks I t was not fun. I used a walker for about 1 month, then I went on to a cane and used it for about a year. Even now, if I'm going to be out in a crowd, I'll use a cane to alert people and kids not to run into me.
If you are having pain like I had, I definitely suggest that you have your knees done. I recently had a friend who had a knee replaced and it was much less invasive and she was back at work in about a month. I think they've come a long way,since 1996.It's no picnic but neither is knees that feel like concrete and having your knees go out in a grocery store! Would I do it again? Yes I would, but only one knee at a time. God bless you and I hope everything goes well for you!

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• By cdamoo
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 4:15 pm
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Hi MaryAnne: Yes I have bone on bone. I am not sure I liked the orthopedic surgeon that I went to. He was young and cockey and direct, to the point of rude. To him this was just routine. I think I will go for a second opinion. He took a couple of xrays on each knee and was very quick with the diagnosis. I guess that was all I needed but I am still wondering. I am also a heart patient so the thought of the long surgery really scares me. As you said, this surgery only lasts so long and I am only 53. I want to wait a little too. My pain at times is very bad but the mobility is what I am losing. Does your doctor numb your leg before the injections? Because a friend of mine has the doctor numb her first. Did your doctor tell you why this has happened to you? When I was in my 30's I had a bakers cyst on one knee and a few years later reconstructive surgery on the other. Doctor said that that is what caused the knees to have this problem now. I now have another bakers cyst and the doctor said there is no point in removing it. Thanks for talking to me. Sandi

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• By cdamoo
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 4:22 pm
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Thank you for replying. These comments will surely help me in making a decision. I am hoping by some sheer luck that someone is in a laboratory right now developing some new way to give you knee replacements without being so invasive. I just think I need more education before venturing there. I might start with the shots and go from there because I am trying to stall this as long as possible. You are feeling good now, though? You are right, the knees do feel like concrete. I still do my daily walks because I am scared if I don't, it will get harder and harder to move them but its getting me now. The doctor insisted I do both at one time. I will need to talk with him again and then seek a second opinion. Thank you so much.

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• By janetbd
• Posted November 14, 2008 at 8:05 am
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Have had 2 sisters-in-law who had knees replaced. One was well into her 70s. She had BOTH done at the same time. Followed MD instructions and did great. Younger one had one knee done and took awhile to get over. Then my husband had a knee replaced that he had injured as a teen ager (early 60s now). Problem was, he was pigeon-toed in his right foot--inherited, daughter the same way, his knee has not healed and its been almost a year. His foot turns out instead of in now and it drives him crazy. MDs should take a mold of pattern of placement of feet and make sure this placement is the same. As his foot turns out now, it goes behind his L foot when he walks. If damage is long-standing, scar tissue may have formed and this can complicate healing and make recovery more complicated. The one who had both knees done at the same time had arthritis as you do, she did great and hopefully you will too. Good luck

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• By janetbd
• Posted May 21, 2009 at 12:09 am
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My 78 y/o sister-in-law had BOTH knees replaced at the same time. Recovery was remarkable. Unbelievable how this woman was able to tolerate pain and post-therapy but she did and she's doing great now. Can't say the same for my husband (younger) who has had 2 on the same in knee in 2 yrs as well as suregery to remove scar tissue. It is so individualistic in terms of recovery. Length of time from original date of injury or beginning of pxs has a lot to do with recovery (I think).

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• By Juliefrietag
• Posted May 21, 2009 at 8:53 am
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Have you had the surgery yet? If so, I hope you are doing well. (It's been a half year since your post, but I just read it.)

My mother had one knee done (She was in her late 60's) and it went very well. What a difference it has made for her. She now needs to do her other knee, and she has no qualms about it.

(If you haven't had the procedure yet), it is imperative that you have the best of surgeon/Dr. that you can get in your area. Best Regards!

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