Considering TKR

[amele]

I am currently 46 years old and had an MCL replacement on my right knee a year and a half ago. My knee still had cartilage that was catching and preventing proper rehab. Five months ago I had arthroscopic surgery to clean it up. I am bone on bone with all of my ligaments loose. I was told by my doctor that I will need a TKR but have to wait until I am in my mid fifties. I have constant pain, limited mobility and I am not able to do many activities. I do not want to have to wait nine years to get possible relief. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Pumpkin]

amele,
Welcome to BoneSmart, glad you joined us.
Age is no barrier to joint replacement, we have members in their 20's with TKR's. How your life is impacted by your knees is what determines if you need a joint replacement.
Find another orthopedic surgeon, someone who specializes in knee replacement, who will look at how limited you are, and not your age. If you look at the age of our members on the post op side, you will see many members around your age who have had TKR's.
Fill out the score chart below, take it to your Dr appointments so they and you can see just how much your knee is limiting your life. Better to start living your life now, not wait 10 miserable years to get your life back.
If you need help finding a surgeon, use the find a surgeon link above.
Good luck in your search.

New BoneSmart members like you are in various stages of their journey to joint replacement. Making the decision whether or not to have surgery and preparing for surgery can be easier once you have done your research and know what lies ahead. Here are some tools that can help you decide what is best for you.

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:

Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic knee?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?


If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:

Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?


Regardless of where you are in the process, the website and app My Knee Guide can help you stay organized and informed. The free service keeps all the information pertaining to your surgery and recovery in one place on your smartphone. It is intended to be a personal support tool for the entire process.

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced knee, take a look at the posts and threads from other BoneSmarties provided in this link:

Stories of amazing knee recoveries

 

[Sharlee]

I agree... I went to several OS before I found one that would do surgery. I had both my knees replaced 12/19/2016. So glad I found my doctor.


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[newlybionic]

Please go find another OS that will look at your knee not just your age. I waited for over 10 years believing every OS would tell me the same thing. My world got smaller and my muscles atrophied. Have it done so you can enjoy life again.

 

[Josephine]

Agree with all the above. It's been a long, long time since we had an age limit for joint replacement. Nowadays, the fresh thinking is that arthritis has no respect of age! If the joint is shot, it's shot and focussing on one's date of birth doesn't make any difference. Happily there are plenty of surgeons out there who look at the whole picture and not just one corner of it. Go find one!

 

[Celle]

It's not your age that should be considered. It's the state of your knee and the impact that has on your quality of life.
Keep looking until you find a surgeon who will look at the condition of your knee before he/she looks at your birth date.

To the surgeons who say you are "too young" I agree, but not for the reasons they give. Tell them this:

• You are too young to be living your life in constant pain.
• You are too young to have your mobility so badly compromised.
• You are too young to be giving up the lifestyle you enjoy.
• You are too young feel so old.

 

[zakmick]

@amele I'm 42 and booked in for a RTKR on Mon 20th. Took a lot of advocating for myself over 3 apts, this was though after Ive had arthroscopes, reconstructions, tried cortisone and stem cell treatment, there was nothing else for me to try. OS gave me all the negatives but they were mainly about having to have another replacement/revision when I'm older. Didn't like that his reasons were for in 10yrs time not now. I told him my depression stems from my quality life, my weight has increased with limited mobility, I don't want to
Take painkillers daily, don't want my back to be out of whack because of my gait and I don't want to feel old...he then finally said it's my decision as he realised I would go elsewhere.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[ACDCJen]

@amele

Had both of mine replaced last year at age 39, plus I'm fat. So, I would say to keep looking until you find a doctor that will help you rather than make you wait for relief. I have had complications on my RTKR, but I would still do both of them over in a heartbeat. Such a change for me and my quality of life is already improved even though I'm not healed all the way!

Good luck with your journey!
Jen

 

[kneeper]

They used to think tkrs would only last for 10-15 years so that old advice about waiting until your 50s may have made sense then. My OS said they are lasting 20-30 years or more now. There's a chance young people may need a revision at some point (my OS mentioned that) but that's only a chance and in the meantime with a new knee you can actually live your life. I had my tkrs in my 40s. I feel my age now, not like an "old lady."