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Should I wait or have it now?

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hopeful788

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I'm scheduled to have a total knee replacement Nov. 16th. My left knee is painful but I'm still able to play golf, walk most of the time, however, my quality of life is changing year by year. I just turn 55 today, I'm struggling with going through with the surgery. Will waiting another year make any difference. Your response is greatly appreciated.
 
Yes it will make a difference! You'll be in more pain and have lost 12 months of your life! You really want to do that? Plus you'll most likely have contracted more of what you normally do in order to cope.

Have a happy birthday and give yourself the best pressie you can - a new knee!

And a big welcome to the BoneSmart family. We'll see you though!
 
I could not agree more with Jo! I had both mine done in June of 2008 and have been doing things I have not done in years. I even took up playing golf!
Again, Welcome!
 
Don't wait I waited 10 years + and now regret every day that I spent in pain. With me I did didn't realize all of the things I had just quit doing because of the pain. Once I had thee surgery it became clear I had sacrificed a great deal of my life and put an unnecessary burden on my wife and kids. If your quality of life is diminishing DO IT! NOW!
 
Welcome to BoneSmart, Hopeful....

These guys are right....why put your life on hold while you let your knee get "bad enough" (whatever that is) to have a replacement. Go for it now and get your life back!

Don't worry...we'll be here to support you in whatever way you need.
 
Hopeful,
Welcome! Thank you so much for posting this question!!!! I was thinking that very same thing today.....should I move forward, or wait until it's 'bad enough'. Everyone's responses has convinced me (again)--and hopefully you too, that this is the time to take care of it. It's only going to get worse and why go through that?!!!!
 
Wait for what? Each day that you wait is another day that your joint deteriorates. My OS said that people don't even notice the gradual, negative changes that the bad knee makes on people's lives. One day you're active. Before you know it, you spend most of your time sitting because of the pain. Wait for what?

I had my done within a month of finding out it was time. I think, truthfully, my recovery was much easier as a result. I didn't give the knee time to get any worse. Therefore, I was still fit when I went into surgery and maintained the fitness throughout my recovery. Had I waited, I don't think I'd be telling the same story. And I'm only 46. (I had the knee done when I was 45).

I'll ask it one last time: Wait for what?
 
This may be a slightly contrarian opinion.

I played sports in college and have been physically active every since....ultimately had five knee surgeries which resulted in chronic arthritis in both knees. Over ten years ago it was recommended that I consider a total knee arthroplasty....at least my left knee. I would not even listen and in fact got quite angry when anyone wanted to discuss that possiblity. Over this period of time the condition of my knees deterioated to the point that I could no longer participate in my activites and the quality of my life began to be impacted (had difficulty walking for any length or even standing for a period of time)....this affected my family in addition to myself. For several years I tried just about every treatment possible to minimize the pain and allow physical activity.....with decreasing affectiveness.

Finally, at age 61 I had no other option but to have the arthroplasty.....it has been 14 months post surgery on my lieft knee and 7 month post surgery on my right knee. I have had extremely successful surgeries and recoveries....completely recovered at about 4 1/2 months on my first surgery and 3 1/2 months on my second surgery....there are no physical activities in which I cannot participate. I am extremely happy with the results and I have mininal or no pain!!!!

However, even with my tremdous success I am not sure if I would have made the decision sooner if I had the opportunity to do it all over again. From the first surgery to recovery on the second has been one of the more difficult periods of time in my life. One very important postive for my waiting....the minimally invasive procedure which was a key componet in my success was advanced during this time frame (that in conjuction with a knee replacement specialist doctor and dedicated physical therapy). This is a major surgery and when I decided to go forward I dedicated myself to the entire procedure and then set goals for both the surgery and the re-hab and was very focused and determined to be successful.....it is quite satisfing when you are able to accomplish those goals.

Unfortunately, this is a very personal decision that only you can decide to what level your activities and quality of life are affected.

Good luck.


Steve
Spring, Tx.
 
Don't wait. I started having knees problems about 15 years ago. I had no insurance so I didn't go to the Dr. Now that I have insurance, I got my knees done. It's sad that I had to wait so long. So much better now!! Love it!!
 
When the time is right you will know, you have to keep in mind your situation, finances, family etc. ....but....is there ever a right time? Lets face it ....nobody relishes the thought of this surgery....noone ever has enough money, time to do the surgery, and rehab and lets face it there are other things we'd rather be doing......which leads me to my point.....surely there are things that you would like to be doing other than sitting in pain, and surely you'll still want to be able to do them in a years time.....get outside with your family, walk around the shops, gardening....whatever.....if you can't do it now, then you won't be able to do it in 12 months time either, so what is the point of waiting?

If there was no expense, inconvenience, or pain would you do it?.....then you should go for it....because all of these things can be sorted and then you can get on with your life and do all those things that you dream of doing....

Rachel
 
Hi---I waited through three years of increasing pain before I made the decision to get a knee replacement. I tried synvisc injections and every exercise I could find to strengthen my knee for years--nothing worked! I gradually gave up my active lifestyle, gained weight, and ended up with a limp and constant pain. Simple things like shopping or housework were no longer easy--climbing steps was awful--had to go one step at a time--and I started to avoid things that would mean more pain. What a vicious cycle. What a waste of three years.

At 61-now 6 weeks post surgery-I feel reborn and so VERY grateful for my new baby knee. I have mobility without constant pain or a limp even at this early stage. I am beginning to get back to my more active lifestyle---I feel so good-- healthy and strong--and happy.

This is a MAJOR surgery. The first weeks and months are challenging during recovery for most folks. Rest, pain medication, and physical therapy occupies a lot of early recovery. Each person recovers in their own way and time frame---but most folks are very satisfied with their decision to have the knee surgery because it allows for a MUCH BETTER quality of life.

Also--Welcome to Bonesmart. Support and answers are here for you. Regards!
 
You know what and forgive me for saying this - it never ceases to amaze me the lengths people will go to put off the inevitable. A joint is worn and bone on bone and doctors suggest that injections are going to improve things! Like, if you have worn brake pads on your car, you really think a squirt of oil is going to solve the problem? (I know - a lot of insurance companies insist but still many people choose this path for themselves.)

Please know - worn cartilage does not grow back again!
 
Josephine....you struck a nerve with me.

Truely bet that there is no one who has gone through more hell with chronic arthritic knees (NO cartilage in either knee) or tried more treatments/solutions than me.....Synvis injections, Hyalgon injections, cortisone injections, glucsoamine, chondroitin, MSM, various type knee braces....all in an attempt to as you say "delay the invitable". At the end my sports medicine doctor had extreme difficulty getting the needle into the proper location in my knee joint for a cortisone injection and at times would hit the bone. it hurt so much that I would practicially come off the table. He would periodically x-ray my knees and literally just shook his head....told me I had to be very tough to tolerate the pain I must have with my knees.

But....I had an incredible dread (maybe fear) of the recovery period from a total knee arthroplasty....and could not bear the thought of going through that procedure. I had seen people with a scar that went from mid quadracept to below the knee!!! Also heard the stories about how long it took to recover and how long they were off work. That is why I delayed so long (about ten years). Ultimately, I had no choice....it was either no life or a knee replacement.

Most likely this is the reason that I approached my surgeries like a battle...and was extremely movtivated to recover as quick as possible. Concequently I was very focused and determined to success. I also believe that the level of pain I experienced with re-hab was no more than what I had lived with for so long....so that was not a deterrent to my aggressive physical therapy.

Fortunately I also found (after considerable research) an expert doctor....possibly the best in Houston...and had the minimally invasive surgery procedure. I have a six-inch incision scar on each leg (in fact I am mad as the scar on my right leg has almost completely faded....wanted battle scars!!). My incision was this length because of my size....6'4"...which was required due to the size of the prosthesis.....otherwise it would have been only four inches.

I am now 14 months post surgery on my left knee and 7 months post surgery on my right knee.....completely recovered at 4 1/2 months left and 3 1/2 months right. Cannot begin to describe my satisfaction as I am not restricted in any physical activity!!

I can now close this chapter of my life....the battle is over and I have won!!!!


Steve
Spring, Tx.
 
I don't know why anyone would want to wait until their knee deteriorates even more to get an operation that can restore painfree function and improve your quality of life.
I was sort of thrown into the fast track to TKR. I had right knee arthritis for a few years, nothing horrendous, but after a 10 hour day of work (RN) I would limp to my car. I finally saw an orthopedist in May 2009 and had a cortisone shot. Six weeks later with no improvement I had an MRI. The doc called me a few days later and said I had a torn meniscus and needed to be 'scoped. Had that done on Aug 5 and found out I was bone on bone in all compartments of my knee. He said I needed a TKR but I was too young (49) so lets try to buy some time with injections and PT. Well, I couldn't do anything that I love to do all summer, no bike riding, boating, camping, hiking, nothing, too much pain. I saw a joing replacement specialist on Sept 14th. He really talked to both hubby and me and we all decided that I needed the RTKR and there was no need to wait until I reached some mythical "right age for TKR". His nurse called me on Sept 22 and said we have a date, Oct 23rd. ****, that's soon I said. I'm stressing out, but I imagine I'd stress even more if I had to limp around and be miserable even longer.
If you have the surgery now you won't need a golf cart next year! ;)
 
It's been a year since I got mine and the doctors wanted me to wait. Did the Synvisc, Cotizone You name-it. After all that I switched doctors. When I went for my first appointment, I told the doctor to go ahead with the Surgery. Having the procedure done when you're younger will mean faster recovery time, because physically you are able to move around easier. Do the surgery, and you won't regret it. I'm 1 yr post TKR.
 
My story is much like yours, abunnybabe. I was 50 in July when I found out I needed bilateral replacements. It was in April I found out I had arthritis and that Dr. did the shots etc...never mentioned anything about knee replacement. I was working retail and left my job crying at the end of the day.

I had my surgery 4 weeks ago. I had no choice as I could not wait unless I wanted to sit at home all day. I already had to quit my job in May due to no relief.

Good luck on your surgery.
 
I don't know about bilateral replacements though. My doc told me I needed bilateral replacements and he wanted to do both at once. i got a new doctor--a knee specialist and he NEVER does both at once. I had my LTKR on May 13 and now my right knee feels much better---I am so glad that I did not have it replaced because, even though it is bone on bone, there is no pain now. That knee seems to be fine--and I am not in any hurry to replace it.
 
SkiGirl

I understand your point but I believe if you are bone on bone you are just on borrowed time and it may just be the painkillers from your first surgery. When the pain does come and you have the second surgery you will have the same rehab as the first and just delayed the inevitable.

Just my opinion, Bone on Bone does not go away.
 
Max,
Check your date for BTKR, 11/16/09 has not gotten here.:sct:
 
Agree with Max...in that both of my knees bone-on-bone..one was worse. But it was a matter of time the other (better) would need surgery. So had them both done bilaterally.

BTKR 8/09
 
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