| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annika |
Posted - May 24 2012 : 7:27:52 PM
What was your experience? How are you now?
Last august I was diagnosed with an arthritic condition in my right knee and I'm in constant pain. The orthopedic said that the only thing that he could suggest to do for it was to ice it. I am not old, only 51 and mentally much younger and I am sick of not being able to do more than hobble with a cane. So before I open the subject of knee replacement with a doctor I am asking for your suggestions, stories and advice. I want to go hiking and get a great big mastiff puppy and I need both legs in good walking condition for either of these things. I'm having trouble getting anything done in my home and garden due to pain and lack of mobility. So I'm asking what your thoughts are on it.
Hugs!!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
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| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Jun 21 2012 : 9:08:46 PM
Hi Annika,
I had both of my knees replaced in 2008 and 2009, I was working and had good insurance and was able to take off recovery time. I am really satisfied with both my knees. I do have a think where my left knee is weaker than my right when standing or going up stairs but walking or standing is wonderful no pain and I walk like I did when I was younger. It was so worth it to me. I was barely making it around when I was about to get it done and I felt like I was 90. My blood pressure went to 200 with the pain and after wards It went back down to normal, Like I said it was the best thing I did for myself. Before I did it I researched on line about how the do it what parts they used, asked the doctor all kinds of questions I had written down when I went to seen him and he was great about answering and explaining what was going to happen before and after. He was a good doctor but he moved, the other doctor is ok and still answers questions when needed and they keep pretty good track of you if you have a problem. You do need to be careful of falling which fortunately I haven't hurt my knees from a few falls, the more you exercise them the stronger they get and the better your balance.
I have afriend who did a double knee surgery and she was not prepared and things did not go well with her and she ended up getting a huge bedsore and was in the hospital about a year but she was very heavy and they couldnt get her up or moved around enough, She is know doing physical exercises on her own on a treadmill and bicycle and getting stronger. She lost a whole lot of weight. that really helps. I was heavier and it really hard to get up/ I am really doing better now myself.. I love it because I can get out and walk places again...
I hope that helps and good luck.
Darlene
Life begins each morning...Each morning is the open door to a new world-new vistas, new aims, new tryings.
By, Leigh Hodges |
| rough start farmgirl |
Posted - Jun 01 2012 : 01:51:38 AM
I just read about an improvement that was made to the replacement. Instead of only being able to move in a circular, unnatural, motion. They have learned how to make the replacement allow you to move in the more natural course of movement of an oval.
I would be a bit afraid of having to do the replacement twice because you are so young. but, what is your choice. It is all about quality of life.
Best of luck. Remember when you talk to orthopedic surgeons, that they are surgeons, and want to do surgery!
Mariane |
| acairnsmom |
Posted - May 31 2012 : 4:06:25 PM
Goodness! I know lots of people who have had knee replacements and all swear by it and kick themselves for not doing it sooner. You do have to follow your doctors advice and make sure to do the physical therapy but I'd say go for it. I even met a gentleman at the DMV who told me he was getting his knee replaced (he was there to get a temp handicap placard). I told him how many people I knew who had them done and he laughed and said "Yes! It's our generations "in" thing to do now!" I just thought that was hysterical, but right on the money!
Audrey
http://prairiecairncottage.blogspot.com/
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
| sonshine4u |
Posted - May 29 2012 : 3:58:22 PM
My mom had one done last year and she was 57 at the time. It was a hard recovery, but now she is feeling so much better and can do things she wasn't able to do in years. She was able to run in an emergency to get out to the barn and that wouldn't have happened if she hadn't had the surgery.
My advice for you, as I was helping her in the recovery/physical therapy after surgery part, is to get into as good of shape as you can before the surgery so that your muscles are strong enough to do recovery well. It will take a longer time to recover if you aren't very active now. So, it kind of seems weird to say that as you aren't able to do a lot right now, but if you can go swimming, ride a stationery bicycle etc. that will be low impact on your knee and get your muscles moving and used to the hard work you will have to do after the surgery. The doctors all want you to exercise everyday after the surgery anyway because it will only improve the success of the replacement.
My mom had her replacement done "tight" because she was so young and wanted to be active. They do that for younger patients so the life of the replacement lasts longer. So that means you have to work harder than say someone in their 70s or 80s.
Hope that helps!
~Hugs!
April :)
Playing in the Sonshine
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| pnickols |
Posted - May 28 2012 : 3:59:46 PM
you sound like me ! I'm 54 and three years ago had surgery for a torn meniscus, been in constant pain ever since. have had injections, therapy, two mri's and all they say is arthritis and that the lack of cartilage is causing the joint to cave on itself, I take pain relievers almost every day and wear a knee brace. I have given up hiking, tennis and any kind of long distance walking. I do some yoga and therapy to keep it moving but it is very frustrating to be reasonably young and in pain. don't want knee replacement yet because at my age I would probably doing it twice, nto sure how long they last nowadays |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - May 27 2012 : 12:41:09 PM
Annika, I suggest you have a long discussion with your orthopedic doctor. You are sort of young for a total knee but they also have a partial knee replacement which will work in some specific situations. Nobody here can really answer this question for you because it all depends on what the tests are showing and what is the best choice given all of the problems. So, the sooner you make that appointment, the sooner you can get your expert advice on what your options are. I knew a nurse who was placed in a knee brace for a few years that helped until she was old enough for the replacement. The reason they don't like to do the replacement too early is because they don't last forever and doing them over is really complicated and not so easy. Hence they try and put if off for as long as possible. But only the orthopedic doctor can tell you if the operation is indicated given all of the knee issues. Good luck and let us know the outcome of your visit.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl |
| Annab |
Posted - May 26 2012 : 09:47:56 AM
My father will be having a total replacement end of October
He is considerably older and most likely heavier. His is just "old knee" wearing out.
We are fortunate to be living near some of the better doctors- that is Duke in Raleigh. So I feel pretty confident thy'll do right by him.
In the interum, once we have a for sure date in place, I'll be donating and banking blood for him. We are the same blood type
So if it's giving you much pain and giving out. Get it done. If nothing's torn and you can manage to get by for the next few years, talk to yuor dr. |
| jollyquilter |
Posted - May 25 2012 : 08:55:40 AM
Annika......I am 52 and in the same boat as you. I drove for fedex for 8 years and all the jumping out of the trucks just wore on my knees. Now the pain is constant at some level. I am in the process of losing weight and this has been a great relief. Also I keep moving no matter the pain or how slow I go at it. My dad is 85 and they wanted to do his knee when he was 60 and he was to "tough" to have it done then. Now he is in so much pain and he is still active considering. He gardens and fishes and does not like to be still at all.
Good Luck with what ever you decide and do keep us posted.
www.StuffByKim.etsy.com
http://fiberandflea.blogspot.com |
| Bear5 |
Posted - May 25 2012 : 08:18:16 AM
I friend of mine just had double knee replacement. She is doing great now. It's been about two months now, she's walking with a cane now. She says by August, she won't need the cane. This woman had been in major pain. She's going to therapy now three days a week.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| nut4fabric |
Posted - May 25 2012 : 06:18:57 AM
My mom had arthritic knees at your age (now 86) and insisted that she could handle the pain, she is headstrong and hates surgery, that she would be just fine. Well today at age 86 she can hardly walk and needs a cane and won't use one. Did I say stubborn? So my advice would be GET IT DONE NOW, don't wait until the doctors wont do it. On another note I have a male friend, 61 years old that had it done two years ago and he is doing great, recovery was a little rough but no problems now and he does everything.
Kathy |
| rphelps4 |
Posted - May 24 2012 : 8:47:28 PM
I haven't had it done but I have taken care of several people that have, and for the most part they all do very well, you age is a big plus, if you live alone or don't have a care giver you might have to go to a rehab center for a short stay. Hope whatever you decide goes well. Roxanna |
