Home Community Member Stories Robin's Knee Replacements

Robin's Knee Replacements

I have had rheumatoid arthritis for ten years, since I was 20. My knees have been particular sources of trouble, and in August of 1997, my doctors decided that they had deteriorated badly enough that I should consider TKR. However, because I was only 27 years old at the time, I was urged to wait as long as possible.

Unfortunately, pain and disability made it impossible to wait too long. My right knee, especially, became increasingly swollen, painful and deformed. I had to use a cane to get around, I was taking massive doses of narcotic painkiller just to function, and my ability to work was becoming impaired. In June of 1998 I decided to go through with the operation.

Dr. Rick Schram of the Southwest Orthopaedic Group in Austin, Texas, performed the surgery. It was an outstanding success. My implant fit perfectly. I experienced very tolerable pain management. I was on my feet the day after surgery, and walked out of the hospital without a cane four days later. In three weeks, I went back to work part-time, and about a week and a half after that, I was working full-time hours again. (Note that my job did not involve much walking or standing, mostly sitting in front of a computer.)

I had my left knee replaced in March 1999 by the same team in the same hospital, with, if anything, even better results. This time, my doctor did not even send me to in-patient rehab. I went straight home from the hospital, and was walking without assistance in two days.

Since then, my recovery has been what I would call total. I worked very hard in rehab and got great range of motion. I have no pain in my knees, and perfect freedom of movement. I couldn't be happier with the results of my operations!

You visit Robin at her forum: http://www.delphi.com/onourfeet/