Knee Replacement

[Guest guest]

I have finally decided to have knee replacement surgery this November. I had a

terrible bout of pain in my right leg, that nothing seemed to help (pain meds,

prednisone, cortisone). I literally could not walk. It was if the muscles had

turned to stone. Finally tried acupuncture and it immediately " released " the

muscles. But, after this last go round, I made up my mind to have the knee

replacement. Surgeon feels that the muscle pain in my leg was caused by the

osteo and the muscles are trying to compensate. I am not so sure....cannot help

but wonder if PA played a part in it.

My questions are, has anyone experienced this same kind of pain that nothing

helped? And if you have had knee replacement, I would love to hear the results,

any ideas for a quick recovery, etc. Did you go to a skilled nursing facility or

go home? Did the PA flare? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Yes I have had that kind of pain. My arthritis was well controlled for a lot

of years and then I had an episode much like you described. I have been

battling a much more severe, harder to control variety every since.

I did have a total knee replacement in November. Waiting to have my other

one done now. I recovered at home. I live alone so that was a bit

challenging but I managed. I had outpatient physio three times a week for a

few weeks and then twice. I was done with that fairly fast as discharge from

that was based on the degree of bend I could get with my replaced knee.

I have been a little disappointed with my new knee. While I have much less

pain than I did with the original version I still have more pain than I

think is reasonable. I would still get the other one done though even if the

result is no better as I no longer wake up in the night with pain in that

knee and the pain I do have when walking is much less sharp than before. I

hope when both mine are done the results will be a bit better.

Gareeth

[Guest guest]

Hi,

It could be your replaced joints are wearing out. Depending on the type of

implant, many are graded for about 10 years- this is why doctors often resist

doing the replacements on younger people (less than 65). Try to schedule a

follow up with an orthopedist. Sometimes they can just replace certain parts

(not the whole knee) so the recovery is much better than the original surgery.

Also there are some types of implants now that are expected to last over 30

years.

[Guest guest]

Thank you ,

I will likely follow up with the surgeon soon. I saw the surgeon last May and

then he thought the joints looked good. He had told me 10-15 years on the

expected life of the joints. I believe he also thought I may be experiencing

muscle atrophy of the leg & joints since I am not very active with the arthritis

and other conditions. The knee I have the most trouble with is the last one I

had done. I will likely try to get some rehab on my legs to if it is atrophy.

DJ

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