Want to see before and after pics?

[execk2]

This is before, 2 operations like this one. The first when the kid took my knee out. Feb 2005 and the second Jan 2006 with a bone graft from the hip glued to the knee cap. Both surgeries required 3 month no weight (stuck in the house). Both of these were the plate and 7 screws (which we kept). You can see the vargus(sp) it was leaning to the inside (again).



Now the new knee, walked the very next day..... er....why didn't we do this the second time? My doc said that it was my age. I have yet to give it a name.

 

[Jamie]

Cool pictures!! Your knee certainly looks nice and neat now!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Wow,
I now know for sure that I am a BIG BABY!!!!!
("Both surgeries required 3 months no weight" ) I could never have gone through that no matter what!!!! All I can say is Holy Molie!!
^i^

 

[Josephine]

That's a lot of collapse on 3 years! (valgus, btw!)

exec, could you do me a big favour? Would you photograph the plate and one of the screws so I can get a better look at them?

 

[execk2]

Side view. The knee fell into the space twice in 12 months. The reconstruction was straightforward and when I started walking in April, (operation was Feb, 05) I noticed that the leg was starting to go crooked in July. Saw the doc a few times and he was concerned. In Dec 05 decided that a bone graft would be necessary from the hip (Jan 06 operation), started walking in late March, started going crooked again in June.....



Now the plate and screws. The first OP was this plate and 7 screws and the second, 6 screws. I put a tape measure next to the pic.



In the side view you can see the screw holes from the old plate.... This knee is cemented in place.

 

[Jamie]

All I can say is, "WOW!!!" Can't believe what you've been through!!

 

[Judles]

All I can think of is. "OUCH!!"

 

[Josephine]

Hmm - interesting. According to the protocols of the designers of that internal fixation system, those top four screws should have been special screws like these ...

These apply compression to the fracture site and enhance healing. But I'm probably being picky - the longterm outcome most likely wouldn't have been any different.

Interesting to see it though ...

 

[Buckeye]

Execk2,

Oh my goodness! You have been through so much. Thanks for posting those xrays. You hang in there darling. God bless you! Hugs, Kathy

 

[calling_all_angels]

All I can say is ouchie!! You have been through a lot
^i^

 

[execk2]

Yeah it's been rough. The first 2 operations were pretty major (obviously) since they were trying to save the knee for a replacement later in life. But the damage was too far gone. There was quite a bit of bone fragment that was taken out around the patella that also removed cartiledge and that created that hole we can where the knee started to fall into (valgus)

The first operation was an emergency since the snowboarder took me out and we had no choice. I think when it's a trauma case it's harder for the surgeon since they leg was probably 2-3 time bigger than normal and there is a lot of damage to clean up resetting everything. The second was simply to try and get it straight again... (damn kid snowboarders) and I live at the base of a big ski resort, I can see people skiing on the slopes.

It's funny though, the first operation they gave me percocet for home pain meds. I only took 4-5 pills 2-3 days because the nightmares were too realistic. So I when on Tylenols and it was OK. The second was another pain killer that had less dreams but side-effects were serious constipation. Stopped that after a week and went back to Tylenols.

This operation I walked the next day (wasn't too sore), out of the hospital in 4 days and was on a pain killer for 21 days and although it's not painful, it is not too comfortable yet. Just took 2 Tylenols!

My dad at 75 got both done at the same time, was in the hospital for about 10 days, did 1-2 weeks of PT and has absolutely no issues nor any pain. He can't believe what I'l talking about and I'm not a complainer. I guess every operation is different as every patient is different.

I am so glad to have found this site because as I was telling my wife we are basically left alone without support. This helps a lot.

 

[Josephine]

That's our aim, exec.

 

[Buckeye]

Exec,
That is quite a story. I had the same realistic scary dreams with Vicodin ES. I take tylenol pm at night and some advil during the day. I am about 8 weeks post op and doing so much better now.
That is amazing about your dad having his done at the same time. I still have one more to go. Will probably have the left one done in June.
I hope you are finished with your surgeries. How many have you had?

 

[execk2]

Hi Buckeye, total 3 operations. 2 reconstructions and finally this all in under 4 years. Ir's been quite the haul. But the doctors and the hospital and inhome physio have been excellent, that helps. But it gets discouraging sometimes and needing to deal with that is also a chore. My dad from a Rugby injury when he was in his late 20's (those days they just removed stuff) and his leg was the opposite of mine was bowing out to the point that it was becoming painful. It took me years to convince him to go, at 71 years old he went in and they said that they needed to do both. Had them done at the same time. He was walking up and down stairs in 3 days...simply amazing.

It's funny (he lives in Halifax and I in Quebec City) he came over after my TKR and the PT was scheduled to drop by that morning. When she came in I introduced her to my dad and he said "look 2 guys and only one original knee".

 

[NLK]

Hey, Your new knee looks just like my "Bill" who just had his second birthday! Aren't they strong looking? I'm so glad you are on your way to less pain and a better life. I am also in awe of what you went through the first two times. I hope you come up with a great name. New knees are so nice after the hard stuff is over.

 

[execk2]

LOL, you call yours Bill.... I am still trying to come up with names...

I had Remington (Steel), Gumpy, Stanley (the power tool, although I have reserved that for another part of my anatomy). Need to find a coolio name for my knee........

 

[Judles]

Execk,,,,why don't you open it up to the forum,,,,I'm sure you'll get some really funny names for your new knee

 

[Josephine]

I'm thinking of calling mine Starsky and Hutch. Of course the first will be Hutch as David Soul is a pal of mine (seriously!) I'm sure he will be duly honoured!

 

[NLK]

I think it has to be a name that fits the "personality" of the knee. My "Bill" was named after a TV actor who played a big strong, but not particularly handsome or bright guy, Bill Fagerbakke. on the TV show Coach. He does his job and I am thankful. I imagine after all those surgeries, its looking pretty cut up...kind of like Phyllis Diller or Joan Rivers? I am a Remington Steel fan too, but I think new knees are titanium. I'm sure a great name will come to you soon.

 

[Judles]

Jo,,,,,you are soooo cute!!!