[raynan]

Yes.

[maureenod]

Hi Nancy, I have had a total knee replacement and when I need the other done I will do therapy months before surgery.....stretching especially...same as after surgery. Stationary bicycle is great. Therapy before surgery will make therapy after much easier,so I have been told.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by maureenod

Hi Nancy, I have had a total knee replacement and when I need the other done I will do therapy months before surgery.....stretching especially...same as after surgery. Stationary bicycle is great. Therapy before surgery will make therapy after much easier,so I have been told.

Yeah. My knee was done by Dr. Duke. He recommended a therapy regimen before surgery and I believe it was a big help. My results are excellent.

[optv13sp]

Does Dr. Nguyen do a TOTAL knee replacement or is it a partial replacement?

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by 784caroline

WOW are you saying he is doing outpaitent total knee replacement surgeries if you have other than Medicare insurance. I know he is good but alot of things can happen (primarily blood clots). I have medicare but also BC/BS and his office secures a 5 day hospital stay approval from BC/BS in advance even though we only use one. There are added out of pocket costs with a hospital stay when you only have insurance such as BCBS, but a TKR is a major surgery and we in TV live 1:30 minutes if we would ever have to get back to see him quickly!! Not sure I would be willing to take that risk!

STOP for just a second! You are always at risk when undergoing minor or major surgery. Dr. Nguyen does not perform TKRs then roll you out the door as you seem to be thinking. In Nov of 2013 I was a NON medicare patient of Dr. Nguyen, and received a total TKR on a Monday morning at the Florida Hospital Altamonte. After a tremendous amount of professional care from Dr. Nguyen, physical therapists, a hospital staff, I was released later in the afternoon on tuesday. I had excellent follow up care that included Dr. Nguyens monitoring my physical rehabilitation, which was very successful.
I am relating my personal experience with a very qualified health care professional. I don't care who uses what doctor for any procedure. I know that Dr. Nguyen is not going to risk his patients well being for any reason.

[raynan]

Dr. Nguyen requires PT before and after surgery. Before to strengthen surrounding muscles which helps a lot in the recovery.

Dr. Nguyen does total knee replacements (TKR).

[784caroline]

Originally Posted by bagboy

STOP for just a second! You are always at risk when undergoing minor or major surgery. Dr. Nguyen does not perform TKRs then roll you out the door as you seem to be thinking. In Nov of 2013 I was a NON medicare patient of Dr. Nguyen, and received a total TKR on a Monday morning at the Florida Hospital Altamonte. After a tremendous amount of professional care from Dr. Nguyen, physical therapists, a hospital staff, I was released later in the afternoon on tuesday. I had excellent follow up care that included Dr. Nguyens monitoring my physical rehabilitation, which was very successful.
I am relating my personal experience with a very qualified health care professional. I don't care who uses what doctor for any procedure. I know that Dr. Nguyen is not going to risk his patients well being for any reason.

Bagboy I also had a TKR by Dr Nguyen just as you describe. BUt a prior post is stating Dr Nguyen is also doing Outpatient TKR surgery at an Orlando Surgical Center with no hospital stay...that is what I find amazing. According to the prior post Medicare patients cannot have it done this way for Medicare requires at least one night in the hospital

[dotti105]

I was seen by Dr Nguyen today and his first question was "how long have you had trouble with those kneecaps?" He saw something on XRay that no one else has noticed.

He told me that what I probably would need is a Partial Knee Replacement, something I have never been told. He sent me for an MRI today and I have a follow up with him in May.

Now I need to do some research on Partial Knee Replacements. I don't especially want to go through the surgery for the partial now and in 3 yrs have to have total knees. I'm more a fan of the "one and done" approach.

We did talk about PRP which ins does not cover He says it is really not successful. That is what Dr Duke ( when he finally saw me) suggested, if I felt I was not ready for TKR.

I am anxious to see what my MRI shows and what Dr Nguyen says after seeing it. He seemed to think the main problem was my kneecaps not the arthritis. News flash for me.

This is going to be an interesting ride......

[784caroline]

Dotti

What is a PRP ???

From my understanding, a partial Knee replacement is fine for the right person. If you are active,especially in sports, the partial probably will not be long lasting. For golf, dancing or just getting around I understand "partials" have been very successsful.

[JBarracks]

The Metal Test....I had total knee replacement three years ago in St. Louis. I was in extreme pain below the knee for three weeks. The surgeon had done thousands of these knee replacements (Stryker) and hadn't seen this before. I was put back in the hospital for four days until the pain subsided. I was on heavy meds but the pain just went away. I hadn't been given a metal test.

Now I am due for another knee replacement on my other knee and as I've already had a Stryker knee replacement the nurse felt no need for a metal test just a patch to test for a metal reaction. I passed the patch test but thought about the problem that I had a few years ago and asked for the metal test (a blood draw). The test results show that I am very reactive to Nickel, Chromium and Zirconium. Just what the Stryker knee is made from.
My new knee will now be made of ceramic material.
FYI I would ask for the metal test. I may have been one in a million to have a reaction to the Stryker knee but the metal test will clear up any doubts.

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by JBarracks

The Metal Test....I had total knee replacement three years ago in St. Louis. I was in extreme pain below the knee for three weeks. The surgeon had done thousands of these knee replacements (Stryker) and hadn't seen this before. I was put back in the hospital for four days until the pain subsided. I was on heavy meds but the pain just went away. I hadn't been given a metal test.

Now I am due for another knee replacement on my other knee and as I've already had a Stryker knee replacement the nurse felt no need for a metal test just a patch to test for a metal reaction. I passed the patch test but thought about the problem that I had a few years ago and asked for the metal test (a blood draw). The test results show that I am very reactive to Nickel, Chromium and Zirconium. Just what the Stryker knee is made from.
My new knee will now be made of ceramic material.
FYI I would ask for the metal test. I may have been one in a million to have a reaction to the Stryker knee but the metal test will clear up any doubts.

I have seen numbers ranging from 1 in 4 to 1 in 7 of people who have an allergy to the metals that you described. Unless we have a joint replacement or eat nails for breakfast, one would most likely never know they have the allergy. Before surgery with Dr. Nguyen, the metal allergy potential was discussed. Along with the "patch" test, Dr. Nguyen and his PA strongly suggested, but did not require the blood allergy test.
I opted FOR the test which was done by an independent lab in Chicago. My insurance would not cover the $265 cost. I paid for the test out of pocket and it came back negative, no allergies to metal. A small price to pay for peace of mind or more importantly to avoid any dangerous and painful side effects, should I have been one that has the metal allergy.

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by dotti105

I was seen by Dr Nguyen today and his first question was "how long have you had trouble with those kneecaps?" He saw something on XRay that no one else has noticed.

He told me that what I probably would need is a Partial Knee Replacement, something I have never been told. He sent me for an MRI today and I have a follow up with him in May.

Now I need to do some research on Partial Knee Replacements. I don't especially want to go through the surgery for the partial now and in 3 yrs have to have total knees. I'm more a fan of the "one and done" approach.

We did talk about PRP which ins does not cover He says it is really not successful. That is what Dr Duke ( when he finally saw me) suggested, if I felt I was not ready for TKR.

I am anxious to see what my MRI shows and what Dr Nguyen says after seeing it. He seemed to think the main problem was my kneecaps not the arthritis. News flash for me.

This is going to be an interesting ride......

I personally feel that you are in good hands, and wish you the best.

[raynan]

I also showed no reaction to the patch test but told them I do react to cheap jewelry so I opted for the metal test. Came back strong allergic reaction to nickel. I will have ceramic also.

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by raynan

I also showed no reaction to the patch test but told them I do react to cheap jewelry so I opted for the metal test. Came back strong allergic reaction to nickel. I will have ceramic also.

That's very wise of you to have the test. Best wishes on you surgery!

[billds567]

Had mine done Jan 2014 and Dr. Nguyen told me that a partial would only last 7-8 yrs. I am very active and very pleased with the full knee.