petuniafish
member
Just posted in a different thread, but different subject. Really confused about info I am getting about the benefits of postponing surgery for several months to a few years.
I am an RN. My husband is a physical therapist of 41 years. He has worked with more joint replacements than probably anything else. (But we've only lived in our state for 10 years so he really can't give a confident recommendation of an OS.)
My husband has always said that OS's try to postpone joint replacement as long as they possibly can. Because I see it everyday I know he's right. The last OS I saw last week said the same %$#! thing, "You are too young". Heck I am 57! And the quality of life sucks. I may lose my job, I can't walk without severe pain. I can't walk the beach I live on. When I said I'd lose my job this OS response was "so what". Jerk.
I work with a 52 year old who was told the same thing. She needed a PKR at 45, they postponed it til she was 50- then at 52 she needed a TKR.
My query is to Jo and anyone else who can chime in.....is there damage/inflammation done to the tibia/femur by waiting so long? My husband says a resounding yes. His PT friends say the same. I have asked two OS the same question and they say no. My husband says the biggest danger is the constant inflammation to the joint can spread to the opposite compartment and create inflammation and loss of articular cartilage on the opposite side.
I walk really funny and feel those bones on the medial side grind- pain. The last OS I saw withdrew 30cc of fluid from my knee. My leg hurts up femur down to ankle. Probably referred pain. My friend, the 45 year old who waited til 52, said after her first PKR her knee became so necrotic the TKR was the only option. It was probably a poor initial surgery but concerns me.
I am asking a lot of stuff and sorry. but I'd sure like to know what waiting is doing to the knee. Thanks.......Nancy
I am an RN. My husband is a physical therapist of 41 years. He has worked with more joint replacements than probably anything else. (But we've only lived in our state for 10 years so he really can't give a confident recommendation of an OS.)
My husband has always said that OS's try to postpone joint replacement as long as they possibly can. Because I see it everyday I know he's right. The last OS I saw last week said the same %$#! thing, "You are too young". Heck I am 57! And the quality of life sucks. I may lose my job, I can't walk without severe pain. I can't walk the beach I live on. When I said I'd lose my job this OS response was "so what". Jerk.
I work with a 52 year old who was told the same thing. She needed a PKR at 45, they postponed it til she was 50- then at 52 she needed a TKR.
My query is to Jo and anyone else who can chime in.....is there damage/inflammation done to the tibia/femur by waiting so long? My husband says a resounding yes. His PT friends say the same. I have asked two OS the same question and they say no. My husband says the biggest danger is the constant inflammation to the joint can spread to the opposite compartment and create inflammation and loss of articular cartilage on the opposite side.
I walk really funny and feel those bones on the medial side grind- pain. The last OS I saw withdrew 30cc of fluid from my knee. My leg hurts up femur down to ankle. Probably referred pain. My friend, the 45 year old who waited til 52, said after her first PKR her knee became so necrotic the TKR was the only option. It was probably a poor initial surgery but concerns me.
I am asking a lot of stuff and sorry. but I'd sure like to know what waiting is doing to the knee. Thanks.......Nancy