Knee, Hip or Shoulder

[wendyl]

Hi, I've recently been told I need both knees, right hip and right shoulder replacing due to rheumatoid arthritis but my surgeon keeps reminding me of my age (34) and says if I have my knees done now it is likely that I will be in a wheelchair by the age of 50. Because of this I don't know which joint to have done first or whether to have any done at all - my knees hurt the most and are restricting me from doing basic activities such as getting in out of the bath, walking in the park or playing with my neices and nephew but I've read loads of bad comments about TKR's.

Anyone got any advice?

Thanks

 

[ship4]

Wendy,
Welcome to the forum! Does the OS or doctor you saw regarding replacements anticipate your bones will dissolve or something for you to be in a wheelchair? Is this Doctor an OS? What grounds does he give you to be wheelchair bound? Just curious as is seems like he does not have up to date information or your arthritis is different from everyone else's arthritis. If I were you, I would want my knees replaced first.....
I am 59. I had both knees replaced last June 18th and returned to downhill skiing this year on February 1st. I will see my OS this June for my one year appointment where he will take an xray of each of my knees. These will be a baseline xrays regarding the spacer between the implants in each knee. I will continue to have my knees xrayed every 2 years. When the OS determines the spacer is worn down and needs to be replaced I will not be in pain, but it will be noticeable on the newest xray. The OS will then schedule surgery to open up the knee along the same incision and pop out the old spacer and put in a new one. It is a much shorter less painful recovery as they are not cutting my bones again.
If I were you, I would research the knee replacement!
Best,
Crystal

 

[wendyl]

Hi Crystal

It was the OS that I saw, he said my first replacements would last approx. 10 years, then revisions would last approx. 8 years, (takes me to 52) he then said that there possibly wouldn't be enough bone left to do another revision and therefore they would just deteriorate from then on. I'm not sure if he was just giving me the worst case scenario to try and persuade me to put it off until I'm older!!

Sounds like your knees are doing great - did you have them both done at the same time?

 

[Linda2]

My OS told me that 90% of the type of knee I have are still in place and doing well 20 years later. That's really different from your OS's predictions. Makes me wonder if anyone knows! I do think I would look for a second opinion.

 

[ship4]

Yes, I did have them both replaced at the same time. I was under anesthesia for 4.5 hours. Something to remember is your body requires 2 weeks to recover for every hour you are under anesthesia....
I have a proactive OS who keeps tabs on the wear of the spacer in order to prevent damage to the replacement components themselves..... I don't believe what I will have done will be a revision of the replacements, as it will be a spacer replacement.
I had general anesthesia and 2 femoral nerve blocks (one in each leg) for the surgery. I had surgery on Wednesday, and was transferred to the rehab hospital on Friday afternoon. I stayed in the rehabilitation hospital until the following Thursday afternoon when I went home. I was walking around inside my home without crutches and outside with 2 crutches upon arrival at home.
I have a Depuy J & J rotating platform knee component in each knee. The white spacer between the metal is what will be replaced when necessary and there will be no wear to the metal components at all due to being aware of the wear and tear on the knee joint with the timed xrays. Unless I get some systemic infection into the bone, I do not anticipate having to have the replacements themselves revised. Most knee replacement components are similar to each other.
Best,
Crystal

 

[Max Wallace]

I just had both knees replaced and was told that the spacer could be replaced numerous times, they have nothing to do with the bones. As long as the implant that is inserted into the bone has no problems nothing but the bearing needs replacing ever. I am 46 the DR. estimate maybe 2 bearing replacements sometime mid to late 50s then late 60s.i don't know anything about rhumatoid arthritis but I no longer have a real knee joint so my arthritis is gone.

Max

Something to think about, I had 1 surgery 2 surgeons both knees done at one time,1PT,1recovery, only 2.5 hours under the knife.

 

[Gretchendz]

Hi Wendyl,

Welcome to the best forum anywhere.

The pain and the restriction of your activities you describe is only going to get worse on its own. Like others have mentioned, I would seek a second opinion.

Even with the dire prediction of the wheelchair in twenty years, I would ask myself--do I want to be active now and for the next 20 years or in pain and doing less?

Also (maybe this is my basic optimism) medical science will almost certainly have improved the techniques even more than now--so, who knows what you will really face?

Read through all the posts and stories here. You'll find the vast majority of us are thrilled with the results.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[Jamie]

Welcome to BoneSmart, Wendyl....so glad you joined us.

I'm in agreement with the posts above. You can have both knees done at one time by finding the right surgeon. Look around a bit and interview a couple until you find one that you like who is comfortable with replacing joints at your age. They are out there.

 

[Josephine]

Read the post How to choose a surgeon and a prosthesis it answers almost all of your questions. Your OS is obviously a conservative type and you need someone with more forsight than that.

As for the longevity of the prostheses, official line is 10-15 years, professionals reckon it to be 15-20. Statistics show it to be approaching 20-25 and maybe even more. There are many, many people walking around now, living good, productive and happy lives who had their replacements done in the 60s and 70s!

Find another surgeon!

 

[edk]

My immediate thought was so if you have your knees done at 34 you may be in a wheelchair at 50. If you don't have your knees done sounds like you'll be in a wheelchair at 36. Sounds like an easy decision.

 

[Nursepair]

Wendy, welcome. Definately get a second opinion. I have a friend in the UK who has RA. Since the age of 34, she has had, 2 knees, 2 hips and 2 shoulders replaced, as well as having a stroke, which she recovered from. She is now 50 and walking around
un-aided at home, though uses a cane when out, sometimes a wheelchair depending what she does.

I know someone who had a knee replaced about 30 years agao and is still OK.

Good luck in finding a decent OS!! Sue