Questions to ask my consultant

[VickyT]

Hi
I am 53 and have had osteoarthritis in my right knee for several years. It started with a fall on my knee in 1994 and subsequent damage to the meniscus led to the osteoarthritis. I have had two arthroscopies, one in 2002 and one in June 2007 but my consultant tells me that I am too young to have a TKR. I used to be pretty active and I would like to be able to walk more, go dancing and not limp and be in pain before I am too old! It worries me that I will end up being so 'lopsided' or infirm that I will never be able to do some of these things. I can walk a few hundred yards and then I start to limp. I am getting pain in my hamstrings which does burn at times. I have Bowen therapy which helps but obviously isn't a long term solution. I am a good 14lb's overweight but all efforts at losing weight get me nowhere. I have an exercise bike, but it is only just now that I am able to use it after my latest arthroscopy as using it made my knee pain worse.

I'd like to know what sort of things I should be asking my consultant, I'm not sure what damage there is in technical terms but obviously I need to know that. Is it true that knee replacements don't last very long?

 

[referee54]

A knee replacement can last upwards to twenty years now, depending on your lifestyle and how you take care of yourself (hence---it, as well.) While the TKR is not as good as the original knee in good health, it is a very vialble option for those of us who are in chronic pain and want to regain facets of our lives lost due to arthritis.

I am 53 and had both knees replaced in November. I do not know that age has much to do with it---they would like you to wait as long as you can, but, if there are no other options, it is time for a TKR. My ortho agreed to do both of them, as they were both shot to heck.

If you do not like the answers your are getting, shop around for a second opinion to see if the agree or disagree.

I have been told that I will be able to resuem umping baseball games this spring---a big step that was difficult for me ---even with cortizone shots---lastyear.

Tim C.

 

[Josephine]

53 - too young!

Good grief! Over half the patients that came to my theatre were in their late 50s early 60s. What nonense. Ref is correct, Vicky - go get yourself another opinion and another if needs be!

Questions you need to ask:
1. which kind of KR do I need, total or unicompartmental (one side only)
2. can you do minimally invasive surgery?
3. how much experience have you had using this joint
4. what is your infection rate
5. what are your acceptable outcomes statistics

All the best and a very happy new year to you.