Fusion Failsafe's Knee Fusion Questions

Failsafe

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Hi and I am new to the forum.
I have had a fused left knee due to chondrosarcoma since October 1980 at 22 years of age. Closing in on 40 years. Being young and fit this was really my only option as the joints of the time and my activity level were not compatible for long term success. My question is are there others on these forums who have had a long term knee fusion that would discuss the effects on other parts of your body compensating for the loss of a knee joint?
Thank you for your time,
 
Hi, @Failsafe! Welcome to the BoneSmart family. We don't have a lot of knee fusions here on the forum and no one with one that I can recall is active right now. But perhaps some of our many "guests" who just read here and never join will see your thread and decide to join and comment.

In the meantime, it might help if you could share some of your experiences and specific concerns at this point in your life. It sounds as though you were able to make the fusion work well for you. Do you see an orthopedic specialist at all?
 
Hello @Failsafe - and :welome:

I've moved your post from the March Musketeers thread, because that thread is just for listing who is having knee surgery in March 2020.

I started this thread for you, so we can talk about your knee fusion.

I don't think we have anyone on here at the moment who has had a knee fusion, but I do remember one of our past staff members talking about a colleague of hers, who was also a nurse. She had a knee fusion and was able to do a full-time nursing job. She was still quite young. I don't know how she managed as she grew older.

If you can tell us what adjustments you've had to make, to compensate for your knee fusion, that will help us to understand better.
 
Hi @Failsafe I would be interested in talking with you about your knee fusion. I have a temporary rod (I call it a stick) currently in my left leg. I was scheduled for a permanent fusion surgery on March 30, 2020 but of course it is postponed until after the Coronavirus threat is over. It will be my 6th surgery since Nov 2018 on that leg. The temporary one was put in Oct 2019, so I have not been in this situation for very long but I definitely have questions about how to continue to try and live my life. Obviously, my original retirement life plan has drastically changed.
 
My question is are there others on these forums who have had a long term knee fusion that would discuss the effects on other parts of your body compensating for the loss of a knee joint?
Me
 
Last edited:
Hi @Kfusion - Plese will you start a thread of your own and tell us a bit more about your surgeries (what surgery and its date) so we can talk to you without interrupting Failsafe's thread. Thank you.
Starting a new thread and posting
 
@caneguy - Please will you tell us when you had your knee fusion?
 
Thank you. I've added the date to your signature.
 
Hi and I am new to the forum.
I have had a fused left knee due to chondrosarcoma since October 1980 at 22 years of age. Closing in on 40 years. Being young and fit this was really my only option as the joints of the time and my activity level were not compatible for long term success. My question is are there others on these forums who have had a long term knee fusion that would discuss the effects on other parts of your body compensating for the loss of a knee joint?
Thank you for your time,

There are not many of is fused knee peeps around . I had one of the early knee fusions 62 years ago. My right leg was paralyzed by polio and my knee was hyperextending. This surgery gave me life! Yes you do need to adapt and learn to do things differently and be aware of close sitting areas. Aging in and of itself effects the body. I do now have severe osteoarthritis of my good hip(left). However is it not painful or limiting. I am active and work as a Realtor . I walk with a cane. I think my activity keeps me somewhat fit. I try to balance rest and exercise and I am somewhat successful. because you asked the question I wonder what issues are you having? I am very grateful for my fusion I also fought Delta airlines and got the federal mandate that folks with knee fusion can be accommodated by bulk head seating.
 
I remember Josephine, who was our senior nurse on BoneSmart for many years, telling us of a colleague she worked with when she was younger. This woman had had her knee fused and she was able to carry out all her duties as a nurse.
In her case, her knee fusion didn't stop her from leading a full and active life.
 
I have had a knee fusion for 10 years! Feel free to ask anything.
 
do you need a cane to walk with fused knee ?
 
For the most part you do not need a cane, it would depend on your balance.
I knew a woman in her 90's that had a fused knee at 18, she did not use a cane.
 
@Pwally1980

I m expecting knee fusion or amputation after covid pandemic. Can u cope well during this 10 years ? I m really anxious with future living, I m 51
 
do you need a cane to walk with fused knee ?
I also have a knee fusion. Most of the time I do not use a cane. Just sometimes I feel better when using the cane.
 
I have had a knee fusion for 10 years! Feel free to ask anything.
Welcome to the club ;-)
You rarely see people with a knee fusion these days. I had my right knee fused 11 years back and have never regret it, I would always go for the fusion again.
It´s sad to see, some people don´t like their fusion, but it really is not the end of the world. For me, actually it was a start in a new life.
 
I wonder if someone who has had a revision due to infection might be helpful?

I know someone who got an infection 10 years after their TKR and they had to spend 3 months with the leg for all intents and purposes, without a joint. They removed the hardware and I believe they put a temporary rod in to keep the leg straight.

Just an idea, I don't know if they would be able to answer or be relevant to a knee fusion though.
 
I wonder if someone who has had a revision due to infection might be helpful?
i don't think a revision due to infection would be relevant to a knee fusion.

The experience isn't the same.

They removed the hardware and I believe they put a temporary rod in to keep the leg straight.
Usually a knee replacement revision due to infection is a two-stage procedure.

At the first operation, the knee replacement hardware is removed completely and a specially shaped spacer is inserted. They don't insert a rod. The spacer is made of bone cement, laced with antibiotic.

After several weeks or months, when all testing for infection proves negative, a second surgery is done.

The antibiotic spacer is removed and a completely new set of replacement hardware is inserted.
 

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