Anyone had previous surgeries before TKR

[Simon]

I was wondering if anyone has had previous surgeries (other than diagnostic arthroscopy) before TKR? I destroyed my knees playing sports in high school and college and have had 10 prior knee surgeries between the 2 knees. Many of them involved rearranging tendons and ligaments to improve alignment as well as bone grafts to change the pressure on the joint. One surgery was changed because the surgeon was worried that if he moved the tendon again it he was not sure that the reattachment would hold. Of course this makes me concerned about having problems with the replacements. He figured I would need to have them replaced by my mid 40's and I have managed to hold off for 15 more years.

Losing weight will help. I spent about 18 months losing weight and that did improve the pain and ability to exercise.

Thanks

 

[beachcomber]

Welcome--
Yes, many "other" surgeries amongst members of this group. I have only had 4 so I think I might be among the least.....
I had the bone graft/alignment surgeries on both knees (tibial tubercle elevations). My KR was medial only and my OS just said he would stay to the inside of the previous graft and screws. No problem this time around. He says someday I will probably have to have a revision to a TKR and we will deal with those grafts and hardware then.
Although my recovery has been neither easy nor fast-- I am very happy with the results. I could truly tell the first time I walked on this knee that the old bone-on-bone problem was gone and I was gonna be better off.
Good luck to you!

 

[skichick63]

I'm a 44 yr old female involved most of my life in alpine ski racing and other sports. 14 knee surgeries between two knees with my right one beyond repair. I'm going in for my TKR on monday 4/7/08 because I just can't do anything anymore. By being able to go off celebrex afterwards I think at least I'll be able to save my kidneys! And I'll be able to get my cardiovascular system back in shape.
The "conservative" or old school guys tend to hold off on surgery but in do the patient up for kidney and cardiac disease in later years, but gee, the patient only has to have their first knee replacement at age 60...after years of pain and cardiac decompensation let alone pain. I guess you see where I stand on this...
So, at 44 I'm getting my life back after hearing for the last 15 yrs that TKR is inevitable for me, but I'm too young right now!!!
Barb, R.N.

 

[JenniferG]

hi ski chick. and welcome. Dittos on TKR when needed as opposed to when old. I'm young also and on e doc tried to put me off partially for age. Why spend the next 20 years doing anything if it is going to be in agony. I Wasn't aware of the celebrex issues, so all the better. Welcome to you as well Simon. As you see, you are in good company and Josephine is also a wealth of info.

 

[1jt@atime]

Jennifer and SkiChick, I was 46 when I had my tkr 6 months ago. A few years back, my prior doctor told me to wait as long as I could, because of my age. I did just that until I could hardly walk and destroyed other joints in the process. Once my now surgeon operated, he said my knee was so bad that I would not get full range of motion because of the severity. So, it does NOT pay to postpone. Just do it!!!!!! My motion is not what I want it to be but I can function with what I have. My opinion anyway....Just sayin....

 

[Josephine]

I'm a 44 yr old female involved most of my life in alpine ski racing and other sports. Barb, R.N.

Hey! another nurse! How do, fellow nursey!

Did you know that during the slalem, the tibial shaft can deform to the rate of 35 degrees of rotational torsion? That's why the majority of tibial shaft fractures are spiral and extend almost the full length.

Another useless little factoid!

 

[JenniferG]

Eeewwww! that just sounds bad!

 

[Jamie]

Oh my.....now I'll NEVER ski!!! Oh well, wasn't really going to take that up at this point in my life anyway. Now I have a reason!

 

[Josephine]

 

[beachcomber]

Did I read this right???? Barb has had a KR and is still skiing? I thought that was on the "fuhget aboud it" list for post TKR..... even before that fascinating, but horrifying little factoid from Jo!
My OS 25 years ago told me skiing was out of the question for me when he did the tibial tubercle elevation bi-lats. Not a problem since I never skiied anyway but I can sure understand why now!

 

[JenniferG]

My PTs have said there's not much anymore that you can't do. Aerobics & jogging are no's. But even some extent of squatting is ok. I'll double check with my os, but I think what ever brand you pick, these little gizmos have come a long way.

 

[skichick63]

My OS has skied with me prior to surgery. It was pretty much a requirement of mine... that he knows what kind of skiing I do and that I ski at a very high level. I race speed events and have recently been clocked at 82 mph (yes I'm 44 yrs old). I travel to masters alpine events across the US for mostly Downhill and super G events.
My OS said he's almost excited to see how I do. As my nephew (also an OS) has said that my rehab will put mere mortals to shame....
You get out of it what you put into it. I have high expectations and will work til I get what I want.
Have many friends and aquaintances who ski and race with TKR, THR.
Of course I'm still scared about having the ends of my bones lopped off, and I think there would be concern if I was not concerned about it.... now I'm babbling...
Barb

 

[JenniferG]

My recovery has been quite abnormal barb, so you can do it to. With Bi-lats I was on the walker for less than a day, on the cane and doing a flight of 10 stairs up & down on day 2. No Rehab. went straight home. My OS said that in all his years of doing this he has never seen anything like it. I'm told that I am the talk of the office. Point being, not to brag, but give credit where it goes. I had a lot of folks praying for me and truly believe that God was ready to get me well.

 

[Skeet]

I had several arthroscopies, one arthrotomy and a high tibia open wedge osteotomy to delay the TKR. I had my TKR 12-17-07 and I'm doing great! I don't come to this portion of the forum much. You can find me on the recovery side. Or PM me if you need more information.
Skeet