44 Yr Old Female

[skichick63]

I'm 44, soon to be 45, need TKR. I've been thru the injections, but they only last 4-5 months now. I've been athletic my whole life at a professional level for a great deal of it. I've already given up sooo much, many things I just can't do, but I will not under any circumstances give up skiing. I coach and officiate ski racing, I'm a masters ski racer, national champion and know many who continue recreational / Masters ski racing on their new knees. I want to make sure I get the absolute best replacement I can find, but seem limited to my insurance plan. I need rotation in the joint, I prefer less polyethelene in the replacement. If I go outside the hospital where I work, I get hit right away with a $1000 penalty fee. The docs in my hospital are very conservative and don't seem to understand my activity level. I loved my ortho guy in vermont, but he's not on my insurance plan. He understands ME and my life. He skis with his patients and just KNOWS. I feel like I'm dealing with a bunch of docs right now who trained in the 1970's and are not progressive. Help.

 

[Weezl]

Hi, I don't know where you are or what reasoning your docs have, but at your age there may be alternatives to conventiom tkr and even partial kr. I don't know tour med situation. I used to be an athelete, skiiing, hockey, high heels, joke. I am ust 60 yrs and very active but pushed beyound when something should have been done, besides, I had priors....arthroscopies.

You need a hosp that specializes in sports medicine with real surgeries of innovative proppportions and the highest of success rates and a perponderence of MD's with great CV's. A doctors resume CV, is available to all who want it.....unless there is shame involvedon the MD's part.

I went to Hosp for specialsurgery in NYC, There is also Hosp for joint diseases, Lennox Hill hosp, Hosps in NJ and on Long Island that have new highly regarded programs with doctors who will get you back to your sport. I found my Surgeon by looking over the CV's of the entire ortho staff of HSS which is published on their site. I picked somenoe who I thought was a good fit and he was. Most any MD ther would have been. My MDS even did an arthscopt in 2005 to buy me some time aven though I needed a replacement then.. He toolds me it wouldn't be a cure but I could buy some time. I boiught 2 1/2 years. No other doctor would do it. I just did the TKR 3 days ago.

 

[Josephine]

Weezl has pretty much said it all. I have nothing to add except I feel for you being stuck with those 'old' types! I really hope you find the service you need. And by the way, skiing was exactly what the rotating platform was designed for so you must stick out for it.

 

[edk]

I'm pretty much in the same boat. Live in Illinois but winter in Colorado skied 78 days last year. I'm getting my left knee done in March of this year. And I've come to the conclusion that aside from getting a surgeon who is on board you need to be rehabed to ski not rehabed to walk. In flatlands too many of the rehab programs are designed to cut you loose when you can walk. You need to make it clear from the get go that you are willing to work a little harder to come out of rehab with quads of steel. (and in my case hopefully the same size)

 

[klinger]

Hi there,
most of the information that I,ve gathered(be it limited) suggests that after having a tkr contact sports are mostly out of bounds.
Have to say I do feel sorry for you being very sporty and an active compeditor.My wife at 47 had a new hip resurfacing done 1 year ago and she can do absolutely anything totally pain free.
I,m not hear to put a dampener on your expectations but the knee joint in general is just not as stable as a hip and is a lot more complicated even though it only bends one way(damn frustrating!)
I had 19 yrs playing rugby for my local team I,m too old now but it would be nice to think that I may be able to do some gentle jogging after my TKR in a few months time, most of the feedback I get is - painfree walking,no kneeling,no squating.
Maybe things are more advanced in the usa than here in the uk but if you get a prosthesis that gets you back skiing again let us know so we can all have one.However I wish well you for your forthcoming treatment.

Good luck Klinger

 

[Josephine]

klinger, there are alot of sportsmen and women who have returned to their activities post-TKR. It all depends upon the individual and how bad their knee was to start with. But it is very possible. As I said, the rotating platform was specifically designed for sports like skiing.

 

[npbob]

Agree 100% with Josephine. Find a doc who will work with you. I am in the same predicament an avid skier in need of a TKR. Initially my doc told me no skiing, after much discussion he felt skiing was an option since I ski at a high level. I am currently awaiting approval from insurance carriers to get the procedure done..Would love to hear from others who have completed the procedure and have returned to skiing..
npbob

 

[judy57]

Hi, I am 57 and I have always been very active. My knees have been bad for a very long time. I have not given in to them and have functioned. Lately is has been getting to me because I can't do the things I normally do. Like clean the house alll day. I work full time and sometimes the weekends mean housework. I can hardly get through it any more. Most of all I have a mother to take care of. I finally made the apppointment with the doctor and scheduled knee replacement on one of my bad knees and been discussing with my job how much time I think I will need. I am scared but I am so tired of not being able to do what I ued to do or to sit any length of time without my knees getting stiff. I just want to know how other people have made out with the surgery. I'm hoping to be out work for 3 weeks. I do have a sit down job. Help.

 

[referee54]

Three weeks does not sound like enouogh time...you will be in therapy and just beginning to get your ROM and strength back. I had a both done and was out 8 weeks...I would give yourself at least five or six weeks before you go back. This is major surgery. You most likely won't be able to drive just yet, and your sleep patterns maybe interrupted, as well.

My best to you---things will get better!

Tim C.

 

[Josephine]

8 weeks minimum, Judy. You won't do yourself any favours by going back sooner, believe me.