retired ... possible knee surgery.

[rock n roll kid]

got some info on this thru this forum a few weeks ago , but feel some follow up comments are necassary .
with a lil swelling & small amount of pain , i visited the local knee guy who said there is no cardtlidge in my left knee .... needs replaced according to him , yes he showed me the x-rays . this was apprx. 3 months go . had one steroid shot then , none since .
knee is doing good . walked 30 minutes straight yesterday , about 14 blocks . near the end , it showed a small , but noticeable , tiredness .
rode the excer bike 5.3 miles today , little effect on it .
am going in 2 wks. to a sport med surgen in indy for the second opinion.

the info above leads me this IMPORTANT knowledge , if i can get feedback .
IS THERE ANYONE HERE that has had a similar/same condition BUT has opted NOT to have the surgery. ? ! AND what were the results ? !

i am guessing that the 2nd opinion will be about the same as the first. and that i could have adverse effects down the road ( favoring the bad knee and making the good knee trying to comensate the short comings of the bad knee , more pain etc. ) if i dont have the surgery.
HOWEVER i have had some feedback from asking around .... some say they are much better off after doing this , others say they wish they hadnt done it at all .
i will have company insurance till the year end , and medicare of course . so if i elect to do it , it would be in the next 3 months.
as an example , if it would worsen no more than 10% in the next 10 years , i probably would not go thru with it . and my thoughts are ....these people are trying to "sell " a person something , because that is the way they make there living . maybe a bad idea to enter into , but sometimes i wonder if the whole story ever gets out .
with that sad , i'm still glad we have such skilled people that can help most people that need treatment !

just talking to my neighbor 2 days ago ..... he is right 80 yrs. old . conversation rolled around to my knee . he said they told him , aqpprx. 5 years ago , the same thing , no cartlidge in one knee , AND he needed replacement surgery . i asked what he done and he said nothing ... because it hadnt caused him much pain or trouble and it seemed to be about the same ....... hmmm .. makes a guy wonder !
thanks to all

 

[BigBoy99]

I had the exact same problem in my left knee, cartilage was gone. I tried pain relievers but I got to the point I was taking a dozen 325mg. aspirin a day for the pain and my ability to move around was greatly compromised. Dr. was worried about stomach problems from all of the aspirin so the gave me a cortisone shot which was "suppose to fix" the problem. A month after the shot, I didn't have any improvement with my knee so a replacement was scheduled. The surgery was done 4 years ago and I'm totally pain free now and my mobility is back to what it was before the cartilage started disappearing! I'm sure glad I had it done and now wonder why I waited so long to have it done. I could have been is a much better place a long time ago if I had it replaced when it was first suggested.

If you put off the surgery till your retired and your medical insurance at work is gone, what will you do when you really need to have it done? Cartilage will not grow back and things can only get worse. My $0.02 is to have it done while you have the insurance to pay for it.

 

[skeetshooter]

Knees

OK, I am 80 Yrs old and on June 2012was experiencing some very small discomfort in my right knee. Went to my Ortho guy and X-Rays showed no cartilage in both knees, was told that knee replacement was necessary and inevitable. Not wanting to make a decision right then the Dr. suggested a steroid shot and to make an appointment in 3 months for re-evaluation.
At that time my knees were operating AOK and my pain level was 0.
Since then I have had 5 shots with no pain or diminished use of the knees. Never did get a second opinion
My Dr. has now told me that continuing the shots on a 5 to 6 month time frame will work just fine until which a replacement becomes necessary.
My walking exercise continues with no difficulties
I think at my age I will continue to wait it out.

 

[Iggy]

I walked with a cane for 2 years, before I gave up fighting the pain. I was taking 6 Aleve every day.

When I woke up from the surgery, I could feel the disruption of the muscles etc from the surgery, but that deep bone pain was gone..

Only thing I worry about now is wreckin' my other knee, kickin' myself for not doing it sooner.

 

[Harkrader]

Possible short term alternative to knee replacement

I'm facing the same thing, Rock and Roll Kid. The bone doc I see suggested a short-term stand-off called a "Lateral Release." The doc cuts a slice into the "sack" (his word) of fluid around the knee cap. Anybody who can 'splain this better'n me, chime right in.

While he was in there (last Friday) he did a general roto-router to knock off the stalagtites on the bottom of the cap, and on bone ends.
He told me 50/50 chance it will help. A good friend was told 6 years ago he needed new knees, and had this done first. He said it worked great and he still doesn't need the replacement, yet.

I'm told it will take several months before I really know if it helped. Nine days out I still have swelling and soreness, but am ambling around OK and can take stairs with much less pain than before.
I also spent a day at the range throwing 500 rounds at stuff. Stood up most of the time, felt fatigued but no extra pain.
Sooo, maybe.

You might ask your doc about it. According to the physical therapists who have been torturing me, some docs like it and some don't.

 

[Oldiron]

R-n-R, Had my left knee done May 1, two years ago. Had a shot a few months before and then one a few weeks before and the last one did nothing. Walking a hundred yards would make me hobble. Pick which of the next three months you want to lose and get it done. Check around on the surgeons that have done knees and see who has had the least trouble and make sure they use the titanium joints.
One way of telling if you are ready is to look at your shoes. My therapist said I was walking funny on one of the first sessions and when I looked at the bottom of my shoes the heal of the left shoe had been worn down about a half inch from the constant hobble. My S-I-L saw the same thing before she had hers done.
If you decide to get it done, keep bumping the outer boundary of the limits of motion and keep it moving. If my other knee gets to the point where it needs replaced, I will not go through the months of pain and hobbling I will go ahead and get it done. Good Luck,
Larry

 

[JJEH]

I had a motorcycle accident in 2000 and they butchered on my ankle, knee and hip. I still have problems, sometimes I can't walk straight and need to rest for awhile.

Point is, ONLY do surgery if you CAN'T live without.

Sounds like I'm a wise guy, I know. But the knee is the most complex joint on your body and it needs to hold all your weight.

If they mess up you'll have problems for the rest of your life.

And once you are getting too old they refuse to replace/repair it.

Since my accident I dislike (dislike with a h) doctors. I simply don't trust them anymore since most of the time it really seems like they work via trail and error.

 

[perrazi]

jjeh- it's called the practice of medicine for a reason. to the original poster, if you are having trouble walking and favoring one knee over the other, that can and will have a effect on the other joints used during walking. if you decide on surgery, find the surgeon that only does knees. you want a person that performs this procedure every week, not one that does it once a month or less. rehab will be a chore and you must do what they say. take your pain meds as directed as they will help with the rehab. sorry this is so long, but it is important. anything else, you may pm me for additional questions you may have.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

First knee in Jan. and second one Aug. 21. Excellent Dr. and therapy. Driving in 4 weeks, both cases. Am 78 and tried shots, but knees wer 15% from straight. Consider a program at the YMCA, etc to build strength prior to surgery. Before the first one, could barely walk 1/4 mile before rest. Now a mile is no problem (4 weeks after second knee).

 

[Dennis The B]

My wife is facing knee surgery on 12/9. Both knees are bone-on-bone. She was given the lubricant/steroid shots, but they lasted only about four weeks. When the knee pain came back, she said it was worse than before (but I think that's partly due to the easing of pain because of the shot). The ortho gave her three options: nothing; shots; and surgery. And the first two are hope and no solution.

She's taking Tramadol, and it helps some. However, this next two-and-a-half months is going to be a mess. She was advised by a couple of doctors to only have the surgery when she couldn't take another step. I disagree. If the joint is bone-on-bone, why wait until you're in agony?

She has a good ortho, and he came recommended by several of her friends.

 

[BigBill]

I had knee operations on my right and left knees to remove torn cartilge in both knees in '91 & '93. My doctor told me to keep my knees as long as I can. He said nothing beats having the orginal knees plus wait as long as you can because the technology might get better with knee replacements.
I'm still using my knees I was born with there bone on bone but I put up with it. I figured I have to play the hand that God has dealt me.
I just purchased two knee braces to keep them in a straight line supported hinged. It keeps the bone nerve pain away. Plus I can walk better too.

 

[GerSan69]

I had a complete knee replacement in late September of 2013. Same story as the others: cartilage was gone and it hurt like hell. I was up and walking, at first with a walker but soon enough without, in 3 or 4 weeks and finished therapy a couple days before Christmas. Therapy was painful, but nowhere near the pain before surgery. The thing that contributed most to getting back to normal was using the motion machine as much as I could, sometimes 3 or 4 times a day. I recommend replacement to anyone that needs it and I'd do it again if I ever need to have the other knee replaced.

Surgeries like this have made some pretty amazing advances just in the last few years. For instance, they used to have to open the entire hip to replace that joint. Now it's a small incision and recovery is quick. I have friends that even had both hips or knees replaced at the same time. I mean no disrespect to members that posted about experiences in the 1990's or even 2000, but replacement joint surgery is "light years" ahead of those days and things just aren't like that any more, although some advice remains that goes for doctors in general: go to the very BEST surgeon possible and get a second opinion if necessary!

Rock N Roll, talk to people that got their replacements in the last couple years. I think you'll be much more encouraged.

 

[Rpg]

I've not had to do this, thankfully.

If you have employer supplied insurance, it may pay the doctor more than Medicare.

Hard to know, but you may get better attention if your insurance pays well.

 

[PA Reb]

Here's my two cents after working in a hospital for many years and being around orthopedic patients - most do very well and some say "never again." My knees have been shot for most of my life due to high school sports injuries. I've had torn cartilage removed from my right knee orthoscopically twice. Since my right knee was the worst of the two, I now have problems with both knees and my right hip. There's no way in this world that I would have either replaced until it gets to the point that walking, due to pain, was impossible. Personally, I'm much more worried about my upcoming lumbar surgery than my knees! THE most important thing to do if you truly need the surgery is to find the best possible orthopedic surgeon you can find and then go for it.

 

[jdlii]

This is, in my opinion, a very subjective issue and each individual must do what is best for them. My wife had lived with sever knee pain since high school, due to a sever knee injury.

Compensating for one knee, led to the over use of the other and the option of double knee replacement surgery. Her decision was to do both at once and I was concerned about her ability to handle the plain, as well as the rehab.

With double knee replacement, the patient is required to go from the hospital to a rehab hospital for recovery and therapy. She had the surgery on Feb. 10, 2014 and spent two weeks, due to blood clots, in recovery and rehab.

She did great and we just got back from a ten day vacation during which a lot of walking was necessary. I was extremely impressed with her attitude and work ethic during recovery! The pain was dealt with but, sleep deprivation is her enemy. It is a good thing that she was not armed during the times she suffered from lack of sleep or I might not be typing this at the moment.

Good luck!

 

[H Richard]

I'm seeing a Sports Medicine specialist about an arthroscope of my left knee tomorrow, that has been bothering me for over 20 years. I'm just hoping I can get a good clear diagnosis. I have seen several orthopedic dr's over the years and the diagnosis has always been unclear. I just want it fixed. I know I will be needing something done with my right knee in a couple years, but I don't want to address that until I know what to do about the left.

 

[GerSan69]

Something else to consider: the current "heath care" law. Not talking politics: the fact is that the law does some things that directly affect this topic of joint replacement. For instance, it adds a tax to medical appliances, such as artificial knees, the result of which was that companies making these things are laying off employees, scaling back on developing new devices and cutting back on production. Innovation MAY be slowing down because of this.

Bottom line: we might be at a point where the current replacement product may be as good as it gets for some time to come, so if you're waiting for something "better" you may wish to reconsider. At the very least, look into it further before you miss an opportunity to feel better!

 

[rock n roll kid]

ok .....

just some more comments after reading all that has been said here up to this point .
seems to make sense that most all people with this same problem & having a lot of pain DO largely benefit from the replacement .
while on the other side of the coin , ones that are not hurting as badly are either benefiting somewhat less from the new knee OR do not have it done at all .... at least for the present time .

in reality one of the very largest concerns is that i am getting along with no cartdlidge in the bad knee very good..... BUT concern lies in the " what if " the future will hold by not having it done in the very near future .
again , this seems to be a split decision , with some saying get it done because it is only going to go down hill from here ... with the flip side saying they are holding there own WITHOUT the surgery .
dont want to make my own decision overly hard , but i will be truthful and say , for me at least , the verdict is still out .
got to visit the ( 2nd opinion ) sports med guy in about 8 days so i will listen very closely to his experiences & expertise .

some other info i didnt put up in my original post ..... have had both rotators done so i am understanding what it takes to be dedicated at re-hab stuff. i stayed ahead , maybe 2months , on both shoulders and came out very good in following the therapist's instructions .
also ... i exercise on a regular basis and am not over weight . 5' 81/2 tall at 151 lbs. ride road bike , or excer bike , do walking and some light lifting but i am single & my best lady friend lives out of town so i would have to make arrangements for assistence when i come home . my bedroom & bathroom are up stairs .... oh god !
final question on this new knee .... does it feel . most or all of he time , like one has a " foreign " part in your leg ....read that as being uncomfortable i suppose . how does one shower after this is done ?
trying to piece all together and have appreciated all your imput !
i might do it , but am not at all looking forward to it ..!!

 

[federali]

Both Knees Done

I had my left knee replaced on Aug 25th. The right knee was done in 2006. I'm not a fan of temporary fixes. Forget the steroid shots and lubricants. Bite the bullet and just do it.

I recommend two things. First, a responsible surgeon will NOT operate on your knee within three months of having received any shots to the knee, for fear of infection. Second, if you have the replacement, after the hospital, go to a rehab facility for 10 days to two weeks. They are set up for orthopedic patients. You'll be using a walker for about two weeks and you probably won't be able to use a conventional bathroom during that time.

 

[Iggy]

I had no cartilage left and was bone on bone and it HURT. I used a cane and a rancher with a cane ain't worth much.

Will it feel like a foreign part? No.
I walked out of the hospital 2 days after surgery with a walker.
I went home and started therapy 3 days after surgery.
I got rid of the walker after the first day of therapy. I used my cane for a few days, because it was winter and I was spooky about slipping on ice. It was more like Linus' security blanket than any thing else. When the ice was gone, so was the cane.

I would say for practical purposes, most of the discomfort was gone after a month.
I taped a garbage bag above my knee a few times to take shower.

One other thing to consider is the longer you favor your "bad" knee, the harder it is on the good one.
I had no idea how bad my "good" knee was until after I got the bad one replaced. It's not bad enough to need any repair at this time, but the replaced knee is the good one now.