KathyW
new member
Since I am allergic to all bone cement, my doctor said he will do a "cementless" knee replacement. Has anyone had this done - and what were the results? He will be using Trabecular Metal.
Cementless TKR
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Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
All non-cemented prostheses are trabecular, Kathy. There are slightly different types, though. Some have a smaller framework than others. The idea is that the surface on the metal is made as similar to the bone as possible so the bone will naturally grow into it - you can see that here ....
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![[Bonesmart.org] Cementless TKR](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' width='122' height='100' viewBox%3D'0 0 122 100'%2F%3E "[Bonesmart.org] Cementless TKR")
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![[Bonesmart.org] Cementless TKR](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' width='180' height='182' viewBox%3D'0 0 180 182'%2F%3E "[Bonesmart.org] Cementless TKR")
femur (thigh bone) end on.......................prosthesis surface
I believe there are several members who have had cementless prostheses here though whether they are still posting, I couldn't say.
They're getting very popular, especially for patients with problems such as you have, and also for the younger patients. The results seem pretty good overall. Surgeons often differ in their protocols in the early post-op period but don't let that put you off. It's in their nature to have different ideas about things. Just make sure you follow your guy's instructions to the letter and you'll be fine. It will mostly be about things concerned with weight bearing and such.
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femur (thigh bone) end on.......................prosthesis surface
I believe there are several members who have had cementless prostheses here though whether they are still posting, I couldn't say.
They're getting very popular, especially for patients with problems such as you have, and also for the younger patients. The results seem pretty good overall. Surgeons often differ in their protocols in the early post-op period but don't let that put you off. It's in their nature to have different ideas about things. Just make sure you follow your guy's instructions to the letter and you'll be fine. It will mostly be about things concerned with weight bearing and such.
KathyW
new member
Thanks, Josephine. I am a little nervous because the doctor said he has never done a cementless replacement before. I am trying to find someone in my area who has used this procedure, but so far, no luck. The doctor said the procedure is the same, only it takes less time because he doesn't have to wait for the cement to cure.
Thanks, again for the info.
KathyW
Thanks, again for the info.
KathyW
JudyS
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Kathy how the heck did you find out you were allergic to bone cement?
I had a hip replacement so can't help yo;u much, although it is cementless, but has that huge railroad spike in the femur (that is what my doc called it)
Welcome to bonesmart
Judy
I had a hip replacement so can't help yo;u much, although it is cementless, but has that huge railroad spike in the femur (that is what my doc called it)
Welcome to bonesmart
Judy
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Excuse me?!!! NO WAY do you let him do this on you! Run a mile! The procedure might not be that different but there are specific points of technique that are different and that make all the difference! Find another surgeon even if you have to travel miles.
KathyW
I agree with Jo that you need to find another surgeon who has done these. You won't be seeing him that much afterwards so don't let distance put you off. I was uncomfortable with the surgeon that was close to home and ended up going to one that was 130 miles away (this is a rural state so that is like almost an 3 hour drive). It was well worth it. You also want to me at a hospital that has worked with this type of implant so that they know how to take care of you and rehab you.
Simon
I agree with Jo that you need to find another surgeon who has done these. You won't be seeing him that much afterwards so don't let distance put you off. I was uncomfortable with the surgeon that was close to home and ended up going to one that was 130 miles away (this is a rural state so that is like almost an 3 hour drive). It was well worth it. You also want to me at a hospital that has worked with this type of implant so that they know how to take care of you and rehab you.
Simon
Buckeye
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Hi Kathy,
I had a Zimmer gender specific cementless TKR this past December 11.
My OS has done many of these and specifically said this was the best
option for my particular knee. I was able to put weight on it right away.
I am keeping my fingers and everything else crossed to ward off any complications. So far so good.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion. I know that the Zimmer web site has a link to find OS who have specific training for their various implants.
Good luck!
Kathy G.
I had a Zimmer gender specific cementless TKR this past December 11.
My OS has done many of these and specifically said this was the best
option for my particular knee. I was able to put weight on it right away.
I am keeping my fingers and everything else crossed to ward off any complications. So far so good.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion. I know that the Zimmer web site has a link to find OS who have specific training for their various implants.
Good luck!
Kathy G.
KathyW
new member
Thank you all for your advice. I spent a couple of hours today calling doctors within a 50 mile radius of my home - I live just outside of Salt Lake City. With the University of Utah, which is a major medical research hospital, I thought they would be right up on cementless TKR, but the doctor is out of town until March. I tried several other doctors, and finally found a couple who do the cementless knee replacements. One doctor doesn't even do cemented replacements any more, so I am planning on making an appointment to see him. He wants a bone density test before he commits to cementless surgery, so I have to schedule that first. I have some mild osteopenia, but it hasn't changed in several years. I believe it is a result of a couple of different medications I have been taking for many years. I drink lots of milk, take calcium supplements with Vit D, and take 70 mg of Fosamax once weekly. Has anyone who has had cementless TKR run into problems with bone condition??
I found another doctor in my search, who claims to be one of the top three doctors west of the Mississippi in number of knee replacements he does every year. He said about 8 percent of the replacements he performs are cementless, but said there is a higher rate of failure among them. I may make an appointment with him, also.
I even talked to my insurance company about coverage if I have to travel out of state, so if anyone has has a good experience with a wonderful doctor, I would consider traveling.
WOW - this is longer than I had anticipated, but I feel like I am getting good advice from all of you - so thanks for reading my post - and please reply with any comments you may have!!!
I found another doctor in my search, who claims to be one of the top three doctors west of the Mississippi in number of knee replacements he does every year. He said about 8 percent of the replacements he performs are cementless, but said there is a higher rate of failure among them. I may make an appointment with him, also.
I even talked to my insurance company about coverage if I have to travel out of state, so if anyone has has a good experience with a wonderful doctor, I would consider traveling.
WOW - this is longer than I had anticipated, but I feel like I am getting good advice from all of you - so thanks for reading my post - and please reply with any comments you may have!!!
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
The man who no longer does cemented THRs sounds like a good deal but the one who only does 8% - please be cautious. A surgeon is only 'top notch' if he is doing 500+ of this kind of op per year. Anything less is a hobby so be careful.
And yes, there is a marginally higher rate of problems with the non-cemeneted type such as the risk that they may not embed into the bone well. The same is true for uncemented hips but the mechanics of weight bearing in hips are somewhat different than in knees.
I recommend you take my list of questions in How to choose a surgeon and a prosthesis and proceed on the grounds that you are interviewing these men. That's what I said! YOU are interviewing THEM!
See, you have a job needs to be done - this is on you but what if it were, say, a new kitchen being installed; you'd want to know some things about the builder, his skills and his reputation before you gave him the contract, wouldn't you? Well this is the same but more so. So don't be shy of expecting to have some answers. A good surgeon will not only not be offended but will expect you to ask difficult questions and more, will have the answers on the tip of his tongue! If he shows any offence, reluctance or hesitation in sharing this information, strike him off your list.
Good luck in your search.
And yes, there is a marginally higher rate of problems with the non-cemeneted type such as the risk that they may not embed into the bone well. The same is true for uncemented hips but the mechanics of weight bearing in hips are somewhat different than in knees.
I recommend you take my list of questions in How to choose a surgeon and a prosthesis and proceed on the grounds that you are interviewing these men. That's what I said! YOU are interviewing THEM!
See, you have a job needs to be done - this is on you but what if it were, say, a new kitchen being installed; you'd want to know some things about the builder, his skills and his reputation before you gave him the contract, wouldn't you? Well this is the same but more so. So don't be shy of expecting to have some answers. A good surgeon will not only not be offended but will expect you to ask difficult questions and more, will have the answers on the tip of his tongue! If he shows any offence, reluctance or hesitation in sharing this information, strike him off your list.
Good luck in your search.
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