Joint replacement ? | Arthritis Information
Hi all
I'm going to a new ortho on Monday. I will be asking about knee replacement. I am 40 which is considered too young, and chase after 7 children, which is too active. I was wondering, for those of you who had your joint replacements young, how disabled you were? Most days I can still go up and down the stairs, but I sure don't want to :)
Btw, I've already had too much cortisone in the knees (according to the RD) and will be getting another round of synvisc in 2 weeks. Thanks so much for any input you can offer!
LeilaHi, Leila,
I can't address knee replacement since I haven't had it yet. I've been pushing the beast away with Synvisc [which has just worn off after 7 months].
I can however talk about my cousin's knee replacement [both knees at the same time]. She was in her mid 60's when she had the surgery. She spent 48 hours in the hospital and then went to a special nursing home where they do on-site physical therapy for knee replacement patients. She was there for a week, then went home for two days, then left for a trip to Europe. She walked all over the place.
You might have to rope off the stairs while you're recovering for a few weeks, but I would really encourage you to go to one of those special nursing homes for a week after surgery so you can get a "leg up" [no pun intended] on recovery.
Good luck!
Hi Leila, I wasn't young when I had my knee replaced; I was 62 y.o. and I was golfing 9 holes 7 weeks after surgery. I spent 3 days in the hospital on a CPM (automatically bends the knee) for most of the day. Came home and had a CPM at home and I was attached to it about 4-6 hours a day for a week and had home PT starting the day after I was discharged. The secret to a quick recovery is having good muscle tone to begin with and constant exercise of the knee for the first week post op and physical therapy. I suggest you talk to a physical therapist about starting exercises several months or so before surgery. They'll strenghten the muscles. I'm using Synvisc and trying to hold off on replacing the other knee until late 2010. I have full range of motion and it's an incredible difference. Lindy
Wanted to add that the CPM [Continuous Passive Motion machine] is a godsend. I've had about 3-4 knee menisectomies and synovectomies and every time, right after outpatient surgery when they discharge me, the machine is waiting for me at home for a solid week. Strapped to it for the first 48 hours, then most of the day, then only while I sleep over a one week period [total]. The machine prevents blood clots and prevents the leg from stiffening up as a result of inflammation. I swear by it and my orth surgeon insists upon it.
I was 37 when I had both mine replaced.
If the knees are shot the knees are shot doesn't matter how old you are or are not. The knees are made to be used the only do nots are running and activities that can put a twisting motion on them such as singles tennis or basketball. The normal activites of dealing with children can easily be handled...better than they could if you were regularly using a cane or in a wheelchair.
My knees will be 10 years old in 2010
Buckeye,
How old are your bionic knees now, may I ask?
Buckeye, what was your disability level? I can't kneel or squat. I have very limited range of motion, especially in the left knee. I have to sleep with a pillow under my knees because having them fully extended is too uncomfortable. They are VERY noisey. I used to be an avid runner/ hiker, but now I can only tolerate necessary activities. I have lost a lot of muscle in my legs.
My RD is pretty adamant that I keep these knees as long as possible. How do you know when to get them replaced?
Thanks for your help!
Sam the knees will be 10 years old in 2010.
Leila-both knees were bone on bone with severe spurring. As a result I only had serious contractures and very limited range of motion. Forget kneeling or squatting I could barely sit, stand or walk. I needned canes and probably should have been using a wheelchair. I am very comfortable to say that I wanted as long as possible. I saw 3 different ortho's and not one said I was too young.
How do you know...you'll know..one day you'll wake up and say that you can't deal with it anymore. See the dr on Monday and find out what is going on internally and figure out your choices.
And before I forget..sleeping with a pillow beneath the knees is the worst theing you can do. It causes the contractures and shortens the muscles. If your knees need support place the pillow length wise so the entire leg is supported at the same level...do not ever simply support the knees. If you have contractures that aren't bone related (mine were due to the spurring) you really need to see a physical therapist to work on those muscles
My orth surgeon said that when you reach the point where you just can't deal with it anymore, that's when you need the surgery.
As far as squatting and kneeling......I haven't been able to do either for about 10 years. [I haven't had the surgery yet.]
Right now I'm willing to keep undergoing Synvisc injections as long as they continue to work.
My mother is 82. She had her knees replaced twice...and revisions on each knee done several times. She is currently recovering from having her knee cap removed. She would of been confined to wheel chair had she not done this. She is FULL of arthritis...( not surprised by my RA).. She had her first knee replacemnet in her early 50's, grant it they have come a long way with the procedure and material, but she has gone through so much. I do not know what is best...
My husband had his hip replaced at 48. We had 2 Doctors look at it and they both recommended surgery even at his age. He has done very well with it and is facing another hip and both knees sometime in the future. His is OA related. He was a football player and state champ wrestler. He was very hard on his body in school and college.
Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon,
Lisa
Well just got done with the osteo guy. He says my xrays actually look pretty good... Gah. I wonder where the pain is coming from??? My xrays looked good before my last sx... He found all kinds of stuff when he scoped me. I don't know... I give up. A nursing home is a long-term care facility licensed by the state that offers 24-hour room and board and health care services, including basic and skilled nursing care. The care and support provided by every single staff member as well as the various therapists were amazing. Fresh flowers for each resident, accompanied by a stuffed bear brought a smile. The formal dining room, complete with table linen, was cheerful and attractive. Colorful pillows and throws made the rooms homey and less institutional.
Nursing homes provide services for those who need medical assistance, nursing care, and rehabilitation.
Nursing home compareLeila???
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