Help Please

[cligameri]

I am experiencing unbelievable pain in both of my knees. My right knee has been operated on 17 times. Twice it was reconstructed. Recently my left knee started to act up. I had orthroscopic surgery on 12/7/07. The doctor let me know that the knee is gone. I had bone on bone - however I would need to try and hang in there for 5 or 6 years before replacement because of my age. I am 48. On my follow up visit on January 7, 2008 I was informed that I would not be returning to a classroom - I am a school teacher- because of my health. My knees will not support me, nor will they allow me to stoop, carry books, etc. He still wanted to try cortizone shots. I have had 14 shots so far. They do not seem to be working.

I have made an appointment at the Rothman Institute to speak with a doctor about replacement. My husband feels very strongly that they will not do the surgery because of my age. Is this a real possiblity. I can not walk, steps are a nightmare, the blankets on my bed bother me. The pain is very real and frankly the asprin is not working

Any insight???

 

[Josephine]

Hello, cligameri (interesting name!) and welcome!

You poor thing, what a nightmare you have been living! Tis true you are at the lower end of the age range that is considered suitable for TKR but some surgeons (sadly not all) tend to look at the patient's quality of life as well as their age. So do not despair. And if this surgeon you are seeing turns out to be one of the unwilling ones, then go see another and another until you find one that will see your distress as well.

I may just be being nosy, but what were all those surgeries you had? Did you have an accident of some kind?

So far as the longevity of the prostheses is concerned, I wouldn't be too put off by statements that knees only last 10 yrs - that's minimum of 10 yrs being the current history of the current generation of TKRs. As you can see in my signature, I have been in this surgery since its inception - indeed I actually assisted at the very first knee replacement ever done! - and my impression is that, considering the vast number that have been implanted even in the early years, they do not equate with the number coming back for revision.

Let us know how you get in with your consultation.

 

[JuneBug88]

I totally understand your fustrations! When I was 37 my ortho told me I needed a total knee, but he would not do it till I was 50. I turned 41 last March and, I could no longer take the pain and total inactivaty. I have young children (10,10,8). By August this year I started to go down hill fast. My Dr. told me no way, went to 2nd opinion, he said yep you need it but wait 10 more years. This October my mom made me an appointment with the 3rd doctor because I did not want to go because I resigned my self thinking I had to wait 10 more years. I went to this doctor told him my story, had the x-rays, cat scans, & MRI's with me. I was tottaly expecting him to say wait 10 more years. His reaction to my films and quality of life was you need it and when do you want it done. After that I dont remember a word he said! All I kept on thinking is finally someone belives me and wants to do it. I had my TKR on my Rt knee 11-27-08. That day I concider it my rebirth. I am not going to lie and tell you recovery is a bed of roses, it is hard work and fustrating, BUT well worth it. Honestly I do knot know the name of my knee, there is 2 things I know it is gender specific, and if I need further surgery all I need is a small incision replace the artificial cartliage, and get on with my life.
I wish you the best in luck in your journey to your new knee. FIND a doctor who will listen to you and not just look at you and tell you you are too young.
Debbi
PS If you want more info private message me and I will get you intouch with my doctors who might beable to connect you with a doctor in your area. I am going to him on the 29th and I am going to give him this forum.

 

[Josephine]

Brilliant and most encouraging report, June.

 

[cligameri]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement. I am scheduled for left knee replacement on April 14, 2008. Now all I have to do is figure out how to keep current with my bills. As a teacher I do not get state disability. - I really do not know why it is just that way. I am looking for tutoring jobs and hopefully that will take care of that.

In answer to the question about the 17 surgeries on my right knee. I have an ex - husband. He was a real pleasant person. He decided that my pregnacy did not quite meet his standards so he pushed down a flight of stairs. I lost the baby and my right leg was messed up pretty good.

I have always been told that the good Lord does not close a window without opening a door. I believe that things happen for a reason - a lesson to be taught, an experience to learn from a life changing event to remind us just how precious life is. There is a silver lining in every storm cloud.

I met my sliver lining 15 years ago - we finally married 2 years ago and he will continue to be my knight in shining armor as I face the next hurdle in my life. We do everything together - I am a lucky and blessed person.

Thank you for all of your encouragement. I will keep you posted.

if it is easier my e-mail is [email protected]

 

[referee54]

Where do yo teach? My goodness, as a public school teacher in Ohio I get 15 sick days a year, and they build up. I had the max---280---when they cut my knees up. (We also get three personal days, but those do not acrue.)

I realy beleive that this is the beginning of your climb back to good health. On April 14th, you will take thatmost important, big step. Things will be tough, but nothing, I guarantee, that you cannot handle. Things will begin to look up for you---they will not be easy, but you will be on your way to a much improved way of life!

My best to you,

Tim C.

 

[cligameri]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I teach in the public school forum, however teaching is a second career for me and my age has prevented me from getting anything more than long-term sub teaching positions. It is very frustrating. They do not want to pay for experience nor wisdom.

I am hoping to be able to keep the date of my surgery, however, I may have to postpone if I am unable to secure some kind of tutoring situation. We will see and I believe in fate. I also have a strong faith - I am being challenged and will face this challenge and succeed.

Keep in touch.
Cherrie Ligameri

 

[KB's TKR]

Hi cligameri,

I am a 46 year old male who had TKR 1 month ago, My surgery was hastened by trauma and osteoarthritis. The surgeon who performed my scope in April/07told me that he wanted to wait until I was in my fifties to preform TKR. Needless to say after Supartz treaments and physical therapy, I did not get any better. I went for a second opinion with a doctor who is tops in the field of joint replacement, and he felt that even at my age I was a good candidate for the procedure. I am still in my recovery phase, and now am looking forward to a pain free existence and enjoying the things I could not do because of my pain level. SPeak frankly with your surgeon and let him make a recommendation and seek a second opinion as well. Whatever you decide (my wife felt strongly that I should stop living in pain), I wish you the best if yopu decided to undego the procedure. Know one thing that this board serves a source of strength and info no matter what you decide.

Best wishes,

KB

 

[bsassy]

well said kb! i'm 52 (active as i can be) my dr. never questioned the age thing.....he's tops in the field.....if your quality of life is hindered by day to day living, then what kind of life is that? i'm also a month out.....did not think i could get through the 1st week let alone to this point......it's not easy and it's not pretty , but when tou get a "well done" from your therapist or when you can get up from a chair w/out help.......that's a good day. nothing prepares you for the pain....but knowing we're not alone is what helps get us through to the next day....God speed to all of us.

 

[Josephine]

 

[cligameri]

thank you for all of the encouragement. My husband was very reluctant about the surgery. In fact - he felt that there would be no way the doctors would do the surgery at my age. I went to the best doctors in our area. Now Alan has really gotten into it. I have a long wait - but I opted for the less invasive surgery and the doctor that does that was booked. His earliest opening was April 14 - So I now try to get my home ready and make all of my appointments.

My husband is looking into adding me to his Bally's membership so I can rehap in the pool.

The most difficult thing right now is not working. I have taken out a loan to cover my cost - Do not think less of my husband about this - I was married once before and vowed after being left pennieless that no man would ever pay my way again. Hopefully things will go smoothly and by July or August I will be able to enjoy a day at the beach and have a new job to go with my new ability to walk without pain.

 

[bsassy]

hi cligameri......
first of all if i can just tell you ... i admire your courage and strength so much..i'm not sure how you lived to tell about it and didn't curl up in a ball and fade to black, but someone had other plans for you and those other plans led you to the wonderful supportive man you married and who shares your life, your pain, and your needs today. i , too, went thru a divorce coupled w/the mind games (luckily no abuse as you endoured) 12 tears ago and am now re-married to the most devoted man on the face of this earth....be that as it may ...i am so proud of you for finding your dr. and the treatment that will work best for you.......i'm not familiar with the minimally invasive surgery so can't offer any wisdom or experiences there but i'd encourage you to get yourself on the dr's cancellation list or call them now and again to see if his schedule has changed and if they could work you in.....april does seem so far out...i know it will go fast but if thats just your initial visit, how long will it take before surg. is scheduled? i'm 5 wks today for tkr right knee and this past wk/end i went to dinner saturday w/my husband and again on sunday w/our friends....it was so good to get out and about again...not saying i was totally comfortable thru the evening but it was so much better than laying in bed or on the couch....the land of the living again. i see my dr. wednesday, hoping to get the ok to drive again and praying that he takes this darn cast off my arm...that is really hopeful on my part coz it will only be 4 1/2 wks. for that and they told me 6-8 wks. my home p.t. is wrapping it up today and i start out patient therapy Thursday to not lose any ground.....i'm still in constant discomfort, intense pain during therapy and crave my pillow and the calm of my bed by 7pm.....i keep on trying to picture my life before surgery and then pictue it 6 months from now.....i'm not seeing the 6 month part yet but it just has to be better than this. Good Luck to you and please stay in touch ......this board has saved my sanity each and every day and i thank ALL of you....like someone else said , we check this site constantly just to give us the will and the boost we need to go on.....and you will too once you start to reclaim your pain free life.

 

[Rowdy66]

I cannot imagine any doctor telling someone they have to live in the kind of pain that is caused when you need TKR. I just don't see how anyone could survive 10 years of that kind of pain, I am wondering how I am going to manage just six more weeks, if someone told me 10 years I truly don't know what it would do to my frame of mind. Thank God you found someone who saw what you were going through and had to compassion to do the surgery now. Seems like you have been through enough and I really hope you have a speedy recovery and are at the beach painfree by middle of summer.