i saw the Consultant on Monday, I thought to start the proces for the first knee replacement but it's not that simple! It was arranged through NHS Choices and if I was paying I would have chosen him as he is very nice extremely well qualified. However I am 59, can walk reasonable distance (eg to the shops) even though it hurts, no significant pain when resting but difficulty with stairs and getting up from chairs etc. An arthroscopy four years ago showed a lot of problems leading to me be told I would need the joints replacing in both knees and he acknowledges this is probably worse now than then. He advised me that a new joint would have a life expectancy of only 12 to 15 years which would mean it is likely I would have to have it done again(!!!) Any replacement would likely be less successful and more problematic. He said TKR in younger patients (me!) is often not as successful as in older ones as there is a greater expectancy to be able do more and this can lead to disappointment in the outcome.
He he explained that the easy option for him is just to do the surgery but that may not be the best option for me. He wanted to get up to date X-rays and to see me again to discuss everything.
I was initially disappointed as I had built myself up to having the operation and was armed with a whole list of questions about aftercare, dates etc but realise the wisdom of his words. I think I was thinking if it needs doing just get it done and work hard and get over it but if I would have to go through it all again....!!!!
Xrays (lots of theme) were done yesterday and I have an appointment to see him on 10 November which is the next date he is at that hospital.
I cannot not stress how impressed I have been with NHS Choices and how quickly everything has been arranged.
So.....any advice from the voices of experience on this forum!!
Many thanks for wading through all my waffle and probable mistakes with predictive text.
Gill XX
Hi gill, I am 7 weeks post op and aged 45. I have had knee problems since I was a child, this was my 10 operation and hopefully the last. For a few years when I was in my thirties my consultant kept saying I was too young then 2 years ago he told me I needed a full knee replacement but I refused. This last year I became less mobile and started to put weight on, he said it came down to quality of life and extra weight would be a strain on the joint. Also the pain was horrendous.
He did say it may only last 10 to 15 years but if I looked after the joint and myself it may give me longer, also he said a lot may change in 10 years. I am normally very fit, walk, cycle and swim and this is my goal with a new joint.
Get all the facts Gill from xrays etc, I listened and respected my surgeon and I am sure yours will look after you.
Nikkix
Hi Gill,
i am a bit younger than you but the symptoms you describe are exactly like mine were, although I had osteo arthritis in mine. I am now nearly 3 weeks post TKR and to say it is hard is an understatement. Apart from the pain, especially the first week, my knee is still very stiff, doesn't straighten or bend very well but I am hopeful it will get better. I too will have to have it done again in the future. You are right when you say it is easier for older patients as they are not expected to regain as much movement as a younger person. As I feel at the moment I wish I could've left it a bit longer but as I have been suffering for the last 10 years it really needed doing but as yet I can't honestly say I am feeling the benefit but after reading other people's experiences on this website I am hopeful for the future. You seem to be going into this with all the necessary information to make the right decision for you and your consultant is not going to pressure you into having it done just yet if you don't need it so that is a positive. Wish it had been like that for me. I went to the consultant expecting them to say I need the bits 'hoovering' out so was shocked to find I needed a new knee (need other doing as well, so he says!) and because I was going private within a few weeks here I am with a scarred knee and walking sticks!! Sorry I haven't been much help really. Hope it goes well, whatever you decide to do....😃
I AM 12 WEEKS POST TKR ...I AM A NURSE AND TOOK CARE OF MANY TKR PATIENTS . I NEVER REALISED HOW DIFFICULT THIS SURGERY IS ...UNTIL I WENT THROUGH IT !...WAIT AS LONG AS YOU CAN ...OVER THE YEARS , I COUNTED AT LEAST 6 DOCTORS WHO SUGGESTED THIS WAS IN MY FUTURE ,,,I DELAYED ALMOST 10 YEARS !...I AM NOW 65 YRS AND ITS A LONG SLOW ROAD TO RECOVER
The results of your x-rays will probably give you all the answers you need. Then weight up your quality of life with painful knees.
I, too, went privately courtesy of the NHS and the whole process has been first class.
Lynn 18 weeks post op.
I was in a similar situation to you. My GP sent me for physio on 2 separate occasions when I complained about my knees. I was prescribed painkillers and various anti-inflammatory tablets. When I eventually saw my Consultant, he said that he thought one knee was repairable but one needed replacing, As I was younger he performed an arthroscopy on my better knee but this did not work. So he gave me a choice which knee I wanted replacing first.
I had my left TKR in January 2013 and my right one in July 2013. I have often thought I should have had them earlier as I can now do much more than I have been able to do for years. I feel that even if you have to have revision surgery later in life, it is better to have TKR when you need them so that you can enjoy life whilst you are still young. (I was 57 when I had my operations).
Hope this helps!
not sure whay chose and book means in different areas , i started with them , but was sent to the local hospital , the surgeon was the same had i gone private , i know you have the right to chose which hospital you go in , i just looked at the local ones and went for the one with the shortest list .when i first went through chose and book all i did was have one appointment where i had an injection in my knee ,( which didnt work )then i was passed back to the doctors with check up , my gp was not pleased amd just got in touch direct to the hospital , so glad its working for you . as for the tkr ,im 53 and have been off work 18 months due to the pain in both knees , and was told the same , i wanted it done so that i can get back to a normal life , i wasnt over impressed with the excuse of how lond it lasted etc , 12 months ago i saw the surgeon who would be doing the opp ,he sent me for an mri scan ,which i would have to wait 4 weks for and then he would see me 4 weeks after that , ( the christmas hols slowing things down ) . i saw him at the end of jan and he sai it defo needed doing and put me on the list ,now 9 months later ive had both knees done and im going back to work monday ,ithink its the best thing i did , there are some things ive not done like kneeling , sitting down on the floor and i do walk a little slower , but i can walk up and down stairs , drive , sit down in the bath ,over all i can do more now than this time last year ,so for me thats a bonus . i do still have a strange feeling at the sides of both knees , the numb side ,this can take up to 2 years , so you have to work out how much the pain bothers you ,this op is a big one and very painful , with lots of times you wonder why did i do it , but 3 months after my 2 nd its all over and i know my choice was right , just weigh it up and decide whats best for you , good luck x
Thanks Nikki, I think he's being fair and I'll follow his advice. Hope you are doing well with your new knee.
kind regards,
Gill X
Thanks Shanders, Thanks for telling me your history and glad you're on the way to recovery. The only way is up now for you! I'm sure you get a lot of good advice on this forum.
Kind regards,
Gill X
i understand what you mean , but i have a full time very heavy job on a school kitchen ,feeding 1700 people daily , and at 53 i couldnt work ,im lucky my job has been left open , i swam up to 2 miles per day pre op and swam after both ops , im now going back to work on monday ,i couldnt have done this if i had waited as long as poss , and i cant retire for another 13 years , so finishing work was not an option or even changeing jobs at my age and needing full time work , i think that people should think long and hard about the op and what it would give them back , as you know too well this op is very tough indeed , for me i know i made the right choice ,and if it only lasts 10 to 16 years so be it ,at least i would be able to finish work and take care of my self and also wouldnt need the movement as ive got now , think its pros and cons .
Thanks Anita. Hope you are fully fit very soon.
Kind regards,
Gill X
it would be normal to try insoles and leg braces ,befor an op like this x
Thanks Lynn - they took quite a few Xrays in different positions so I'm hoping they showing everything needed. The Consultant is a Professor (!!) but very nice and down to earth.
Kind regards,
Gill X
Thanks Polly, that's given me something to think about. I was sure it was just clear when I went into my appointment but all the information I'm getting in these responses is good! Food for thought!
Kind regards,
Gill X
I'm in the U.S. and 76 and doing all I know to keep my problem knee....I wear velcroe support and use a great homeopathic pain cream and looking closer at Prolozone injections (oxygen and vit B solutions)....
Stem cells are on the horizon and from all I hear about these replacements, good grief, do all you can to keep bending....I take glucosamine, ligaplex for ligaments/tendons and omega 3's and good dose of magnesium thru the day......
Granted I'm totally retired and walk where I need to go, no cane etc....but my knee got all worse since hip replacement mess in 2010.....so these surgeries do not come without issues and lots of pain and often complications......my 2cents from southern california...J
4 Ibuprofen per day works pretty good for me and I take DGL for stomach protection and milk thistle for years for liver support.....
So there is much we can do to NOT do these surgeries, I believe.
Thank you Debbie. I'm glad it's going well for you after having both done. All the information has given me plenty to think about! Good luck in work on Monday!
Kind regards,
Gill X
Hi, I had 2 arthroscopies over ten years and then had to wait until I was 65 for my TKR. Yes, it is very painful, but at 5 weeks after, I realised that the pain I am in now is less than before my op.
My bend isn't good, but getting better and each day I seem to achieve little gems ( I can walk upstairs properly today).
My thoughts on the 12 - 15 year is that a lot can happen in that time and they are making surgical breakthroughs all the time.
The knee injury is probably the most common in sports and so new ways are being researched.
Carol - Perth Australia, 5 weeks post op
When a new knee was first mentioned I was around 50 and at that time had private insurance. My surgeon said I should have it done but I put it off until now for the same reasons that you have mentioned. He said that when it reached the stage where either I couldn't sleep for the pain or it interfered with my normal life I should have it done.To put it off was right for me then but things have improved so much over the years and I am sure that in another 15 years a revision will not be the problem it is now. Think of your life and what you want to do with it. If you can't enjoy the life you want then have it done.