Knee Replacement

[Catrin]

Well, things haven't gone exactly according to plan, as I mentioned here my ortho doc (not surgeon) said I could wait on the knee replacement, turns out two different surgeons disagree. Too much damage to the joint surface so if I wait I risk messing the joint up so badly that an implant won't "take".

So, heading off for the official second option as soon as insurance okays it, then get scheduled. I can't tell you all how badly I DON'T want this surgery, but everyone keeps telling me how much better life will be afterward. *sigh*

Yikes, best of wishes on determining the best choice for you!

[OakLeaf]

Ugh.

Still, everyone I know who's had TKA and followed through with their PT has had no regrets whatsoever about the surgery. Same as everyone else keeps telling you. Hugs and pain-free vibes to you.

[thekarens]

Ugh.

Still, everyone I know who's had TKA and followed through with their PT has had no regrets whatsoever about the surgery. Same as everyone else keeps telling you. Hugs and pain-free vibes to you.

I'll second that. My boss had hers replaced last year and now you would never know she had it replaced. She can be as active add anyone. Before the surgery she did a lot of hobbling around.

Good luck!

[Helene2013]

Wow. Such a 180 turn. Hoping that whatever happens, you'll be able to get a great life back, full of unrestricted activities!

[Pax]

Thanks all. As my SO recently pointed out, the decline in activity level has been really gradual but now I'm at the stage where I have to decide between grocery shopping OR going to another store, I don't have enough knee to do both anymore. Guess it's time.

[Trek420]

Thanks all. As my SO recently pointed out, the decline in activity level has been really gradual but now I'm at the stage where I have to decide between grocery shopping OR going to another store, I don't have enough knee to do both anymore. Guess it's time.

Best of luck and I'm sure you're making the right decision. What I hear from Knott is some folks and even some doctors push for a TKA too early. A patient complains of pain when hiking downhill, well everyone's knees hurt some when hiking down a mountain. Suck it up and strengthen your hams, gluteus and quads.

But if your activity is declining so much you run the risk of losing muscle strength. You're an athlete, you will do the work but you just can't move anymore. Knott says or at least my understanding is good doctors want to hit that sweet spot where it's needed but not so late that you've lost any motivation.

So keep you active and moving is the goal.

[Pax]

Best of luck and I'm sure you're making the right decision. What I hear from Knott is some folks and even some doctors push for a TKA too early. A patient complains of pain when hiking downhill, well everyone's knees hurt some when hiking down a mountain. Suck it up and strengthen your hams, gluteus and quads.

But if your activity is declining so much you run the risk of losing muscle strength. You're an athlete, you will do the work but you just can't move anymore. Knott says or at least my understanding is good doctors want to hit that sweet spot where it's needed but not so late that you've lost any motivation.

So keep you active and moving is the goal.

That seems to be where my docs are. I'm getting heavier, but I still try to work out as much as I can; they seem to want to do it while I'm physically strong and anxious to get at that rehab!

The xrays show significant valgus and the MRI shows almost no joint spacing left on the lateral side of the knee, guess the five previous surgeries (starting in 1974) have taken their toll.