Personal Trainer Researching Total Knee Replacement

[Roy Gardiner]

@Roy Gardiner - I'm not so sure all replacement knees are the same...the one I recently got is the smith & nephew Oxinium Verislast knee...it's typically given to younger active people and lasts significantly longer than other knee replacement technology according to the research I saw...in the neighbourhood of 40+ years, depending on how you calculate it based on the primary data I've seen... https://www.smith-nephew.com/patient...al-knee-replacement/30-year-wear-performance/

Well, they would say that wouldn't they.

The BoneSmart view is that there's very little in it between various knee joints. But with any luck you will get that 40+ years.

 

[earthspa]

Thanks everyone. Trailsbud it's sounding more and more like your right in that the first few days, (especially after the personal pain numbing shot that almost every OS injects into the site before sewing up,) are simply no fun. And that goes for whatever kind of devise/technique is used. I'd definitely drink my way through if I could handle the bad reaction I seem to have to alcohol!
Thanks Harry, I'm glad I found this place.
Pete, it sounds like your instincts are spot on regarding waiting. Timing seems to be everything in life. That and a little luck. I have a feeling based on what I have buried myself in reading that in the next 5 years there's going to be some neat improvements to the TKR..probably in the customization of the devises and some of the techniques. The word out there is that 3D printed body parts are going to be very disruptive to medicine in general and turn things on their heads for a while. I think it's really a cool possibility. My knees however won't let me wait till then, and I'm fine with going for it in June. Everyone is looking for the perennial lasting knee but if you think about it the cement has gotta hold for 40 years too. I'm hoping for a good 20 plus myself..maybe I'm wrong.
Vinny, in 40 years I'll be 100, if I make it I'll look you up and have a glass of Bermuda Rum with you, to heck with my hangover.

 

[vinny]

Your on

 

[oldrugbyprop]

Someone said we're meeting to have Bermuda Rum? I'll bring the Digby Scallops And Moosehead Beer from my neck of the woods. If our knees last 40 years I'll be a happy old guy.

 

[trailspud]

I have a feeling based on what I have buried myself in reading that in the next 5 years there's going to be some neat improvements to the TKR..probably in the customization of the devises and some of the techniques. The word out there is that 3D printed body parts are going to be very disruptive to medicine in general and turn things on their heads for a while. I think it's really a cool possibility. My knees however won't let me wait till then, and I'm fine with going for it in June.

@earthspa
There is one knee implant on the market now that is 3D printed. You can guess which one on the off chance you do not already know. I suspect that a larger company may buy out this newer, smaller company or as the patent life shortens cooperative projects will arise between this company and other orthopedic manufacturers. 3D printing is a revolution that will see ever increasing uses in medicine, beyond where it is now, and orthopedics seems a logical space for rapid growth.

 

[earthspa]

Hi Oldrugbyprop! The digby scallops sound incredible...any cold water critter i'll go for. The florida fish are good, especially the red snapper and grouper but my boyhood in Maine, has me miss all those northern fish and shellfish.
Rum and scallops. Thumbs up.
Thanks trailsbud yes I'm keeping my eyes on the conformis for sure. It's a great concept. I wouldn't be surprised if they got bought out. Not one bit.

 

[metalheart]

broken link removed: https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/patient-care/healthcare-services/sports-medicine/get-me-back-to-my-sport/knee/meniscus-clinical-trial?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=web%20feature&utm_term=meniscus%20MMR&utm_campaign=Meniscus%20MMR%20-%20Kaeding....

Administrative Note: This link is to an Ohio University website that discusses a clinical trial for meniscus replacement.

 

[Josephine]

Hmm interesting, metalheart! Let's just hope it lives up to the promises.

@earthspa just to follow-up on my rather novel approach to post-op rehab after TKR, I just had my second knee done on Jan 7th. During the anaesthetic which was the usual spinal, I had a quantity of lidocaine injected into the popliteal area. Apparently recent studies have shown that most of the post-op pain we get is from this area.

My progress proceeded as follows with moderate walking around the house on 'as needed' excursions!
Day 1 my ROM was at 90/0
Day 3 I was discharged to 'home-alone' status and coped very well
Day 4 I went upstairs to take a shower
Day 7 I changed to one cane
Day 9 I relinquished all walking aids
Day 14 staples came out
Day 16 my ROM was at 110/0
Day 21 I attended a short term assessment - first time out of the house
Day 24 pain meds were no longer necessary
Day 25 ROM was at 120/0

And all this with NO exercising whatsoever. Quite extraordinary, wouldn't you say?

 

[earthspa]

metalheart, thank you I'll be digging into that link this afternoon!
Jesephine, how cool is THAT! I discovered a study showing a particular anesthetic, when injected into the site, speeded healing of the first 5 days after surgery. I figured I had one over on the OS that I've been talking to here in Sarasota and I gave him the name and asked if he'd heard of the study or the product. He emailed me back and said he's been using it for last 6 months and attributes some of his ability to have patients go home same day of surgery to the addition of the pain killer to post op protocol. I was thrilled because a. he didn't take offense at me pointing out an interesting study, b. because he took the time to email me back, and c. because he was ahead of me and he was using it. I have a feeling the product called liposomal buvicane is very similar to the product u are using. Since then I ask all orthopods if they use it. Thanks so much for posting to me. Appreciate. It's this subtle tweaking of the whole knee replacing process that makes bonesmart such a great service.
Oh yeah, I'm thrilled for you!!!
best,
steve

 

[Josephine]

liposomal bupivicane

Otherwise known as Exparel which I gave my surgeon a print off about a few months ago but I think he also was already using it. Neat stuff though! And I agree - steps to improve things are often quite small.

However, I was a bit previous is declaring 'pain meds no longer necessary' as I had a ghastly night last night and ended up taking two lots of Tramadol before I got it under control. I recall having such a night (or maybe 2 or 3!) at about the same point with the other knee only I reacted very badly then and got depressed and anxious. This time I just thought "oh that again"!

I am planning to take a trip out tomorrow or next day in the car just to test things out.

 

[earthspa]

Josephine, it's amazing isn't it? The healing process is like a mischievous jester or in the indian lore, the coyote..just when we think we have this whole thing dialed in, a bolt strikes out of the sky. It sounds like you have gotten a lot wiser this second time around...something experience brings probably. I hope I can download this from you when my time comes!

 

[Josephine]

Quite so, my good friend! Just teaching is that nothing's ever that predictable.

 

[kaw205]

Hi Steve,
Just checking in to see how you are coming along. Have you decided on a surgeon/implant yet?
I'm doing well. I've been back at work for two weeks and riding my bike daily. Joint pain is gone, but still have some pain and swelling in the soft tissue. It's all good, though! Glad to have my life back.
Best Regards,
Karen

 

[earthspa]

Howdy Karen and bonesmart folks! I've been out of touch for a while, wife having spinal surgery next week, working, and life took over and so my writing on all fronts has come to a complete stop. Yes, I am scheduled for surgery May 27th and I've gotten myself tracked in so to speak. I'm going out of town to Chicago (I live in Sarasota FL) for surgery which as you can imagine adds another layer of complication onto a process that already has lots of moving parts. Ultimately it was simply the reviews of other patients and the sheer number of TKR's in a year that had me go out of town. One day it will be easier to get more complete information on physicians...their track record, reviews, etc. but for now the process takes a bit of drilling down, reaching out and then listening. Thanks to all I've written to for their input. You know who you are! Originally I was focussing on the kind of prosthesis, then I started looking at technique, and lastly placed the most emphasis on track record and volume of surgeries done by surgeon. Most importantly is I'm comfortable and confident. Heck, it's my knee for heavens sake!

Been working on overall leg strength and flexibility, while attempting to keep heart healthy. Most of us knee folks know that getting in a good heart zone with one or in my case both knees shot is tricky. I've got a pretty good system of doing high intensity interval work with minimal impact on legs and all I can say is I'm very thankful that my upper body is all in one piece! Uhh, lets see, what else? I'm a picky eater so my wife and I are checking a coleman cooler full of all my weird concoctions and food experiments to warm up in the microwave at the hotel. She is infinitely patient (understatement.) We are going out of town for her back surgery as well and the tables are turned a little in that I've been making her her favorite chicken/bone broth soup recipe which will be flown up to Philadelphia in aforementioned cooler. I'm always curious about ways of rigging the game so my chances of having a good outcome are increased. I can control to some extent diet, sleep, and exercise. The rest I leave to the almighty.
Thanks to all for your support. I'll keep you all abreast of the various wrinkles and success's that come from this next ride I'm taking. Steve e

 

[Pumpkin]

All the best to your wife for her spinal surgery, then your TKR coming up in May.

 

[trailspud]

@earthspa

Are you doing both knees or just one for now?

I travelled for both TKRs, but just had 350 miles of interstate highways between. I left the motel for home 6 days after knee #2 and 8 days after surgery for the first one. I had a limited-mobility room with a nice flat, open shower with bench. I pretty much just enjoyed those pain meds and light CPM the first week. The trips home were easy, but I didn't have to board a plane...just laid back w/knee up and iced. Hope you get a good ice set up for the trip home.

 

[kaw205]

Hi Steve,
Congratulations on making your decision! Best of luck and please keep us posted on your recovery.
Karen

 

[Lovestoread]

@earthspa, good luck to your wife next week. Thanks for the info about her doctor. I did look into it, but am not quite there….yet. Let me know if you need anything when you're in Chicago. School gets out the 28th of May (I have 31 days, but who's counting??)

 

[Nana moon 27]

Hi @earthspa

I do hope your wife's surgery goes well. It's great you've a date now for your surgery. I'm so pleased for you.

Please take care
Love Nana moon 27 x

 

[kaw205]

Hi steve,
Just checking in and wondering if you've had your surgery?
Hope all is well with you and your wife.
Karen