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Too Young??

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dreadinger

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I am a 48 year old male and have 9 surgery's on my right knee. My first one was in 1977 for torn cartlidge. I have had a tibial osteotmy, 3 ACL reconstructions and the rest were clean out and cartlidge removal. My ACL reconstructions were done by the use of my patella tendon, hamstring tendon, and then by donor tissue. The inside portion of my knee is now bone on bone on one side. I cannot sit or stand very long due to the pain. Most of the time while sitting I have to get my knee in the "right" position to try to eliminate the pain. While walking it feels like it is bone one bone. When I bend my knee it feels like it is full of gravel. When I was in my early 30's The doc told my I had the knee of a 60 year old but was too young for replacement.I was traveling this past weekend and my knee started swelling for no apparant reason and I could not walk on it. By the time I could get to a doctor my left knee and hip were also very painfull from over using them and could not put any pressure on them. The on call DR. took xrays, removed 100cc's of fluid and a cortizon injection. He said I could use an TKR. I made an appointment today for a consultaion and person behind the phone said the Dr. might think I was too young but to bring any info on my history I had to my appointment. I feel I really need a replacement, what are your thoughts?

Don
 
Personal opinion here as I have no experience with all the extensive past surgeries you have had to back it up, but I would think at this stage, your age should not matter! If you had 60 year old knees 30 years ago, it stands to reason that they aren't any younger today! I can well relate to your pain. I had a BTKR in mid-May and am going through the agony of recuperation but well remember many nights when everything from my hip to the tips of my toes hurt because of my bone-on-bone knee joints. I really think, based on what you have said, that you owe it to yourself to go for it. After all the discomfort you have been experiencing for so long, recovery can't be any worse. Though it is tough to do the exercises, never once since I had my surgery have I regretted it or wished I had delayed. The pain you have been experiencing is ruining everything else for you and I'm sure that you will find a whole new life ahead of you, especially since you are only 48! I remember those days well. I'm in my early 60's and looking forward to feeling better than I had in years very soon. Already I am improved quite a bit and it's only going to get better.

Also you will find a wealth of friends here at this site that will get you through anything you encounter. I've gotten good info on pain meds, exercises, tips on how to manage just about any aspect of my recovery plus just a helping hand and encouraging word for people who know EXACTLY what I have been and am experiencing. It's been terrific. I would strongly encourage you to disregard the age and get on with the living. Good luck and keep us posted as to what your decision is.
Holly
 
You will, no doubt, meet many surgeons who will send you away with the age-old fob-off "too young". We've had heaps of them posting here. It's so frustrating for you all and cruel to boot. However, I would say 48 is borderline so you go for it.

Best thing you can do is to keep a journal. On at least a daily basis, record in it your pain score on a 0-10 scale, 0 being no pain and 10 being the very worst pain you can imagine. Along with it, record anything you wanted to do and couldn't, things you started to do and couldn't finish and things you managed to do but it was a struggle. Don't forget obvious, mundane things like going up and down stairs and walking round the mall, any sports or other activities you are prevented from doing. Then take it along and show the surgeon so he knows you are serious about having a TKR as your quality of life is so poor.

Also read this post of mine How to choose a surgeon and a prosthesis which will arm you with a list of pertinent questions to ask a surgeon. Don't be shy of 'interviewing' two, three or even four. This is a big deal, you are probably going to need a revision in about 15 or 20 years and would like to make sure he will be around to do it! Plus you want to make the right choice now.

Please post again if there is any points I can help you with. I'm always here ....
 
Don,
There have been several members of this forum younger than you, so don't let your age stand in your way of getting some relief! I am 51, have had some of the surgeries you mentioned- but have healthy ligaments. My OS never hesitated once he saw my MRI and Xrays. I was lucky to qualify for a partial(medial) replacement this time around so he was able to avoid the tibial elevation bone graft. That will make the revision easier in the future....

Anyway--- follow Jo's most excellent advice and start looking for the right OS for you and weighing your options. Technology is advancing so rapidly and I can speak personally about the miracle of regaining the parts of my life that OA had taken away.

Good luck!
 
Don,

I am a 39 year old (almost 40) mother of 3 young boys. I have had knee problems since I was 13 years old, and knew the TKR was coming! In my opinion, I did not have it a moment too soon. True, I am experiencing post-op pain (as I am only 7+ weeks out). I truely believe that I did the right thing! I am looking forward to a much better quality of life! I am too young to be living such a miserable life, as are you!!! Good luck with your decision, but please keep in mind your quality of life!

Hess
 
Hi Don, I am 47 now and just had my second tkr. Had the first one last fall at the age of 46. I was told the same thing a few years back, that I was too young..... I put off replacement until I could hardly walk across the room. By that time, I had also damaged several other joints that now have to replaced. There are consequences to waiting too long and your surgeon is doing you no favor by pulling the age factor on you. Go to another surgeon until you find one that looks at the condition of your knee rather then the age on your birth certifcate. Good luck! Karen
 
I met with the Dr. yesterday and he told me my only option at this point is a total replacement. I felt like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders! Although I am very nervous now I am looking forward to have the procedure. Thanks to everyone for your responses and I will keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks,
Don
 
Hi Don,
I am 49 years old. Had my RTKR July 3rd. BEST THING I EVER DONE!
No more joint pain! Best wishes to you. You will be so glad you had this surgery. Do you know your surgery date yet?
 
They are in the process of scheduling, I wilpost the date when it is all set. Do you live int the Carolina's, I live in Rock Hill?
 
I just had my knee done at age 49 on July 23rd. I have been hearing for years that "you should wait till you are older". I think everyone has to decide for themself how much pain and lack of quality of life they can put up with. For me it got to the point where the cortisone shots no longer gave any relief and I was barely able to get around. To set a number like "you should wait till your 60" makes no sense to me. I could be dead in 10 years. Makes no sense to needlessly suffer.
 
Yep - can't disagree with that.

I saw a man at work today - 52. He has had arthritic knees for about 3 years. He was being very philosophical about it, said his doctor told him it was 'just' a touch of arthritis and he'd have to cope with it!

When I asked questions like is your sleep disturbed, can you kneel, are you finding it difficult to get on and off the frames (he works in a factory making articulated lorry trailers), he was amazed and said 'Why yes - how on earth did you know?"!!!

I was able to give him some advice to go back and speak to his doctor and get himself referred to a very good local knee surgeon.

It's all fine and dandy these doctors saying what they say - they don't have to live with it. And as you so rightly point out, we could be dead in the few years they want people to wait.

Walk a mile in 'my' shoes!
 
Yes sir Ladies and Gents it's all over but the surgery!I just returned from Ny City after my fifth trip I have been cleared! August 14th here I come! And yes if anyone tells you that you will know when you are ready that could not be truer!! Thanks to all for there suport here! I am glad I found you all!! The count down has begun.....

Ralph in Ct.
 
Way to go Ralph!! I'll be thinking about you! Good luck getting ready for the big day. Remember, the more exercises you can do now, the better off you will be post-op.

Hess
 
Wow, just 8 days away! Good for you Ralph! Won't it be great to get it over with!
 
Yes it will be wonderful to get it over! It has been a very long hard ordeal for me and my family the pre op preperations alone are increadable! They left no stone unturned. You see when you have heart condition this complicates things like you would not believe! But that is all behind me now and I am ready to rock and roll! Now I only have to get through the next week of agony,yes I am still working and they are piling it on to try and get all that they can out of me before I leave.....
 
Thanks Guy's and Gal's! I really appreciate the support! I am so darn nervous that I have had little to no sleep in the last four day's! So after talking with my heart Doc. yesterday we both agreed that I should consider another pill,ya just one more Lol! I have been thinking it might be the new B.P. drug Lipitor that they put me on but I asked and he told me it was anxiety and nothing more?? So I guess I will try the old ambion and hopefully get a few winks tonight? If I go another night with two hour's I am going to go nut's!!
 
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