[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by rodie

I too need knee work. Dr. Duke has suggested to first try knee injections before we do a knee replacement. Has anyone tried this solution?

Didn't work for my honey??? But of course, everyone different. She says to opt for the surgery!!

[Roaddog53]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I've tried cortisone, viscose injections and arthroscopic surgery on both knees. All help temporarily, but wear off in a hurry!

They all do a temporary job. Prolonging the inevitable.

[Polar Bear]

Question for you folks who have had knee replacement surgery...

Is it 100% because of pain? Has anybody had it because of a bone-on-bone condition that causes instability of the knee (limiting involvement in sports and other physical activity) but only temporary, moderate pain?

[TexaninVA]

I went to Mayo in Jacksonville and was comfortable with them. Then went to Dr Duke having heard a lot about him. I have not yet had mine done yet, but Duke will be the guy. The only drawback is he is an avid Gators fan. Oh well, he's a great surgeon nonetheless.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Question for you folks who have had knee replacement surgery... Is it 100% because of pain? Has anybody had it because of a bone-on-bone condition that causes instability of the knee (limiting involvement in sports and other physical activity) but only temporary, moderate pain?

I don't have 100% pain. I'm having a knee replacement to gain more mobility. The surgeon says my knee is bone on bone. If I sit in one position for a long time (like two hours in a car), it is very painful to walk. But normally I can walk or bike with stiffness, but no pain. My goal is to be able to walk or bike or dance without having to ice my knee!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by BarryRX

Hi Barefoot, I used the pm machine every day, even though I had great range of motion even before I started using it. Let me also say that my knee was part cemented and part non-cemented, which is supposed to take a little longer to heal initially, but healed just as quickly as a fully cemented knee. I know this because I got to be friends with dr. Dukes other patients that were operated on the same day.. I used the pm machine for hours each day, but not while I slept at night. I did not use a cryopad ice machine....an ice bag worked just fine. Hope this info helps. I know it's a scary step, but I wish I had done it years earlier.

Thanks Barry, your comments are very helpful.

[ronsroni]

I have a question. Has anyone had PARTIAL knee replacement? I am talking about the medial aspect only. Dr. Duke is a genius with this as a=well. I am meeting him today as my hubby is being fixed and REALLY wants partials done. Let me know please. Many thanks.

[YouNeverKnow]

Originally Posted by ronsroni

I have a question. Has anyone had PARTIAL knee replacement? I am talking about the medial aspect only. Dr. Duke is a genius with this as a=well. I am meeting him today as my hubby is being fixed and REALLY wants partials done. Let me know please. Many thanks.

I had a partial knee replacement (medial side) on March 4th and am doing great!
It's good as new!
I was only in the hospital two days and then did eight weeks of PT.
From what I understand, you have to be just the right candidate for a partial vs. a total. Since only one side of my knee was bone on bone and the other side was perfect, my surgeon did the partial.
I had it done in Michigan since we are not moving down to the Villages until the end of June. I wanted to be ready for all the activities I plan on doing down there!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by cquick

Thanks for posting......I am considering a knee replacement too. It was recommended several years ago, and I went to a knee surgeon last year, and he said it was needed (kneeded?) anyway. I'll be following your thread with interest!

Hey Connie

I am now among the zillions who've had their old knee sawed out and a shiny new Dyson Ball inserted. Well, maybe not a vacuum cleaner ball, but it feels like it.

The good news .. I didn't wake up during surgery and hear them sawing! That was my biggest fear, and I begged the Anesthesiologist to watch me like a hawk. She was great, didn't scoff at my concern, and promised to keep me 'under'.

It is now exactly one week after surgery. After the spinal wore off, I honestly felt like I'd been hit by a Mack truck! I had no idea the pain would be so intense and unrelenting. My biggest problem has been self administering the opiates. After two days in hospital, I was discharged with a bunch of pain Meds and told to take them as needed, and to 'stay ahead of the pain'. I did want to stay ahead of the pain so I could eagerly participate in my Physio. But being 'old school', I found it very difficult to take pain Meds unless my pain was intense. So I went through a lot of agonizing days. In retrospect, I wish they'd said .. 'Take this amount, it's a minimum dose, and increase it as needed.'

The good news is, every single day gets better, with less pain and more flexibility. And now that I've figured out the medication amounts and schedule, the pain is way more manageable. Not golfing yet, but I've been walking with a walker since Day 2, and the Physiotherapist is very pleased with my progress. So it's all good! I can see that down the road, I'll be very glad I had the replacement. And now I join the myriads of wrinkly air passengers that set off security devices!

I just wanted to give this update and thank everyone for their input, encouragement and good wishes.

[dalecrenshaw]

I had a total knee replacement 2 years ago, due to instability and 100% pain, due to bone on bone. The surgery took away the terrible pain, but my knee is still sore and stiff after 2 years even though I had a lot of therapy, and I still walk with a cane...so the surgery wasn't 100% successful. My other knee was also suppose to be replaced at the same time, but I declined to have both done at the same time. Since the first surgery didn't go all that well, I decided to try Supartz shots in my other knee. I first had them about 2 years ago. I had a series of 6 shots, one week apart. About a week after my last shot, my knee felt 95% better. That lasted almost a year, before it wore off. So, then I had a series of 5 shots, one week apart. That lasted about 8 months. I then had a series of 4 shots. So far, my knee if feeling pretty good. These shots have enabled me to put off surgery for over 2 years. So, I recommend trying Supartz shots...although they don't work for everyone.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by dalecrenshaw

Since the first surgery didn't go all that well, I decided to try Supartz shots in my other knee. I first had them about 2 years ago. I had a series of 6 shots, one week apart. About a week after my last shot, my knee felt 95% better. That lasted almost a year, before it wore off. So, then I had a series of 5 shots, one week apart. That lasted about 8 months. I then had a series of 4 shots. So far, my knee if feeling pretty good. These shots have enabled me to put off surgery for over 2 years. So, I recommend trying Supartz shots...although they don't work for everyone.

I'm so sorry to hear that your knee replacement wasn't successful. 'Stiff and sore' would be an extremely disappointing result!

I tried Cortisone shots but they ended up being less and less effective. Next, I was planning to try Synvisc shots. But I heard stories about the shots being expensive and painful. I heard that each time you have the shots, they last a shorter amount of time. My family doctor advised me to bite the bullet and have the surgery. Still, if I'd known the amount of pain involved in a knee replacement, I might have tried Synvisc shots. I figure that waiting and delaying isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Medical world seems to be continually improving and evolving in this area.

[THE NEWCOMER]

You want the best of the best when it comes to replacements. My surgeon in VA (Jordan & Young Orthepedic Group)stated 25% surgery and 75% therapy. I waited three months to get on his schedule because that all he does. I've had both knees replaced at different times. My only restriction is not to run which isn't good for you anyway. PS: Take your pain pill before the therapist comes because it hurts but outcome is worth it.

[RichardC]

I had a full replacement 5 years ago. I was in lots of pain for 12 years prior as it was not recommended as I was too young. I must tell you it is life changing. Prior I couldn't walk very far and I was used to golf, tennis and travel and I couldn't do any of them. Now I do it all.
I will tell you that it is a painful process. I did the surgery at Greenwich Hospital in CT and they were fantastic. I had an epidural which eliminated complications from general. I started therapy immediately after surgery and was in the hospital for 3 days. Went from the hospital to a rehab center for 10 days and had therapy twice per day. I highly recommend that as you are not very mobile after surgery.
I was on Vicodin but personally stopped after 2 weeks. After the rehab center I had therapy three time a week for 6 weeks. Was using a cane for about another 4 weeks after.
So as you can see it is a lengthy process but well worth it. Don't let anybody tell you that it's not painful because it is but worth it.
Best of luck with yours.

[dalecrenshaw]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I'm so sorry to hear that your knee replacement wasn't successful. 'Stiff and sore' would be an extremely disappointing result!

I tried Cortisone shots but they ended up being less and less effective. Next, I was planning to try Synvisc shots. But I heard stories about the shots being expensive and painful. I heard that each time you have the shots, they last a shorter amount of time. My family doctor advised me to bite the bullet and have the surgery. Still, if I'd known the amount of pain involved in a knee replacement, I might have tried Synvisc shots. I figure that waiting and delaying isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Medical world seems to be continually improving and evolving in this area.

I tried Cortisone shots and they did nothing. Then I had Supartz shots. Supartz is just another brand name, the same as Synvisc shots. I have had many Supartz shots....most of the time they do not hurt, but a couple of times the shot sent me through the roof! I guess they must have hit a nerve or bone or something. I don't know why sometimes they don't hurt and other times they hurt alot. But, I still think it is well worth it to stop the pain in my knee....my knee also feels more stable after the shot, but it takes about a week after finishing the series of shots.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by RichardC

...I was used to golf, tennis and travel and I couldn't do any of them. Now I do it all....

You think you could do things like softball, maybe low intensity basketball? Or is that asking too much?