Frustrated (help)

[xspitfire]

Just a short history,

I am a 46 year old x major junior hockey player with approximately 30 knee operations to my credit. I had a patelectomy on my right knee in 1985, and about 30 more surgeries from lateral releases, clean outs, ACL total reconstructive surgery, etc. etc. etc. In the last 7 months (on my left knee), I experienced 4 surgeries to no avail. I am currently experiencing excruciating pain and been told I need a knee replacement but too young for it. I had Synvisc and Orthrovisc and it has not helped. Currently on narcotics and anti inflammatories in an attempt to manage the pain, not helping. Anybody know of any procedures that may help? Please let me know.

Frustrated Xspitfire

 

[referee54]

I am not a doctor, nor did I sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but the big question is this: What does your ortho say? I tried all of that stuff (minus the narcotics)just to get through umpiring last year's baseball season. The writing was on the wall---you can only use cortizone and such a few times---Synvisc didn't work for me at all.

I don't know what other options you have---your MD, your x-rays, etc, will determine that.

You may be too young chronologically, but how "old" is your knee? I would seek several opinions.

Tim C.

 

[Doug]

I thought my nine surgeries were allot. I have never heard of someone having as many as you have. Must be one heck of allot of scar tissue to deal with inside the knee.
I really think you need to look for a second, third, or fourth opinion. I am 55 and spent the last several years on pain meds, getting cortisone shots every two months, burned my stomach out taking anti inflammation, and got the three synvisc shots.
Finally, I had the TKR don five weeks ago. Based on the results so far, go for the replacement. You are young but not a puppy. You need to regain control of your life because sitting around on your butt on pain meds isn't living.
Best of luck and let us know.

 

[Pattipoo]

I agree. I'm only 5 years older than you. Constant pain isn't worth it!!! Go for the TKR.

 

[xspitfire]

thanks guys, appreciate your thoughts.. another appointment tues with my OS ,I will be pushing for the TKR..your right.. no way to live..cortizone has not worked for me ,over the years numerous shots in knees and shoulders thanks to the good old Canadian game eh!.....GOOD LUCK TO YOU

 

[Josephine]

Word of warning - if the surgeon you are going to 'push it' with is one who is saying you are too young, then don't choose him. Find one that is enthusiastic about doing your knee for you! It may be Murphy's law, but any time I have seen a surgeon being pushed into doing something he is reluctant about, something always goes wrong. A kind of self-fulfilling prophecy, if you like.

 

[Skeet]

I had 5 surgeries and still knee pain. So, since I was younger than he wanted me to be for a TKR, I opted for a high tibia open wedge osteotomy. It took 6 months to heal and I had a lot of time on crutches, but it enabled me to postpoine the TKR for 7 years. I don't know if you would be a candidate for that or not. Not all OS do it, but if you are a candidate, you could find someone. I had no cartilage on the inside portion of my knee but did have it on the outside portion. The surgery shifted my weight from the inside of the knee to the outside. It was quite successful, until recently when I had the TKR. Good luck with your decision and I hope whatever happens you are pain free. It's worth it - but a long journey.

Skeet

 

[beachcomber]

I agree with Josephine! Keep looking for the "right" surgeon who really believes there is an option for you--- be it knee replacement or something else (altho it sounds like you have probably had the whole buffet already!)

I am 51 and the way I look at it--- no one really knows how long this new technology is going to last for any of us. I decided I would rather have the surgery now and regain the activities that bring joy to my life. I will work hard, hope for longevity for my new knee, and cheer on those scientists who continue to develop the technology. By the time this knee wears out and we have to do something else with it--- I will have enjoyed many years of beachcombing and bicycling and walking in the sunshine. And the next knee will be even better!

Good luck!

 

[nopurse]

I just turned 45 last week and had bilateral knee replacement in Dec. I am not 100% but I can tell that in the long run it was the right choice for me. The dialy pain is 85% less than I experienced before the surgery. PT is hard and flexion will come back eventually but to be without the brain numbing pain is priceless. I want to have quality of life. Quanity is left up to the big guy.

 

[xspitfire]

thanks skeet... this is part of the frustration , I had that procedure on may 18/07..on the28th of august the screws did not hold and had to be replaced..at 11am the surgery started ,later in recovery, an xray was taken resulting in a 3pm trip back to the (OR )the larger screws still not proper.In november I was in a great deal of pain and was sent back to surgery to remove the screws,they had started to dig into the calf muscle so here we are today...yes the whole buffet

 

[Skeet]

Wow! You have had a hard road. Mine was my doctor's very first and it went great. I hope you find the right doctor this go around. Shop all you need to as it makes a huge amount of difference. If you tell us where you are located, maybe some of us will have some ideas on doctors in your area.

Skeet

 

[xspitfire]

thanks again...Ive been told my os is one of the best sports med. guys in the biz....makes you wonder.I'm in Ontario Canada..Toronto area

 

[Josephine]

thanks skeet... this is part of the frustration , I had that procedure on may 18/07..on the28th of august the screws did not hold and had to be replaced..at 11am the surgery started ,later in recovery, an xray was taken resulting in a 3pm trip back to the (OR )the larger screws still not proper.In november I was in a great deal of pain and was sent back to surgery to remove the screws,they had started to dig into the calf muscle so here we are today...yes the whole buffet

THAT should not happen. Hope you've found yourself another surgeon ...