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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / April 2007Knee Replacement Advice, Please
I'm seeing the Dr on Friday morning to get the decision as to whether I should have an operation on my knee, and if so, what. A replacement is on the list of options. I was wondering if anyone out there who's been through that process could help me draw up a "check list" of things to ask before deciding whether or not to have the operation. TIA, Dave  SignatureDave Smith Wordsmith and yarnspinner, singer and storyteller Hi Dave. I had a TKR in 2000. In my case, there was NO choice. I had already been through Synvisc injections and arthroscopic surgery, and neither one made a bit of difference. In fact, caused more pain. That's one question you could ask: Is all the cartilage gone? I was "bone-on-bone" and when all else failed, the doctor scheduled a TKR 3 weeks after I went to see him. Another question would be (actually to yourself) is: are you willing to be "down" just as Spring starts and outings increase? If you have Fibromyalgia (as I do) the healing will take longer, then as in my own case, you'll be able to walk again without help, but you may have lingering soft tissue pain around that knee. I still do. The most important question for you to ask yourself is: is the pain and immobility come to the point where you cannot straighten the leg comfortably or walk without an aid? That was where I was just before surgery. However, you don't have to be that bad of shape before considering surgery; you may be an active person who needs to get a TKR sooner, so you can continue your activities comfortably. Keep us updated. Nanny > I'm seeing the Dr on Friday morning to get the decision as to whether I > should have an operation on my knee, and if so, what. A replacement is [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Dave > Keep us updated. Thanks for your advice. I'll let you know what happens when I see the Dr tomorrow (Fri 30th). I don't know whether I'm "bone on bone" yet, but I've been walking with a stick to help the pain for many years. I can straighten and bend the leg, but it hurts all the time and walking in anywhere from a bit sore to excruciating. Cheers for now, Dave SignatureDave Smith Wordsmith and yarnspinner, singer and storyteller > Thanks for your advice. I'll let you know what happens when I see the Dr > tomorrow (Fri 30th). Well, I went to see the doctor. She gave me a copy of the report on the x-rays which said, in effect, I have severe OA in the right knee, apparently as a result of a former injury. I could have told them that without all the bother. But it's on paper now. My doctor is going to refer me to a specialist so we can discuss what the options are for that knee. Probably be about 3 months before I see the specialist, she said, and, if they decide to operate, another 9 before anything happens. Oh, the wonders of the NHS. Cheers for now, Dave SignatureDave Smith Wordsmith and yarnspinner, singer and storyteller >> Thanks for your advice. I'll let you know what happens when I see the Dr >> tomorrow (Fri 30th). [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Dave Sadly it is typical of the NHS.... I had to wait 6 months for an MRI and now I'm waiting for some more results of x-rays.....operative word here is "wait". SignatureSean ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Becoming wise is not synonomous with getting older but in the realisation you always have much to learn. > I could have told them that without all the bother. But it's on paper > now. My doctor is going to refer me to a specialist so we can discuss [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Cheers for now, 3 months? Very optimistic about the 3 months, Dave, but sooo I hope he's right. Splodge > another 9 >before anything happens. Oh, the wonders of the NHS. Dave I have OA in both knees and after what you have wrote regarding "Oh, the wonders of the NHS" and your nine month wait just be very very thankful that it is your knee that needs attention . I have a very good friend who has been waiting for FORTYEIGHT months for a Tibutmine ( wrong spelling I know)on his heart he suffers from unstable angina and at the moment has to shove no less than 18 tabs down his throat every day for this and three other health problems . >> another 9 >>before anything happens. Oh, the wonders of the NHS. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > unstable angina and at the moment has to shove no less than 18 tabs > down his throat every day for this and three other health problems . That's utterly shameful. Couldn't he try to get some local publicity to try and get things moving? Splodge >That's utterly shameful. I agree . >Couldn't he try to get some local publicity to try and get things moving? Point is the guy does not like the world and his Brother knowing all his business but has does done every thing possible even down to contacting our MP I did this on his behalf. Our MP contacted the hospital who wrote back to the MP with a whole pack of lies I saw the letter which our MP passed on a copy and it made my friend out to be a teller of untruths !! . One part reads we wrote to MR X on such a date offering him an appointment and he called to cancel it, he has not had any communication from the damned hospital to cancel my friend has just given up now. Before this episode he did have one of these test carried out at the hospital but the hospital cocked it up which created the need for a second test . Apart from my knees I enjoy comparatively good health but I have decided for me to go anywhere need an NHS hospital I will have to be at deaths door I have regretted for years never subscribing to BUPA when I was younger . >>That's utterly shameful. > I agree . [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > at deaths door I have regretted for years never subscribing to BUPA > when I was younger . Haven't we all Dave. I'm almost uninsurable now lol Splodge >>>That's utterly shameful. >> I agree . [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >Haven't we all Dave. I'm almost uninsurable now lol >Splodge My friend isn't insured Splodge not that it matters he is a single bloke on benefits and has he says this great government of ours will pay his burial costs or they can leave him on top he isn't bothered and I feel the same way I am afraid. On a different note it is mainly my left knee that gives me stick but since yeasterday for some strange reason the left has been more or less ok and the right knee is now hurting like hell when ever I stand or move around and it feels like it is on fire while I am sat here . To be honest I am not really surprised my Mother had bad knees and suffered terrably from being around 45/50 years old till she died at 79 . Dave, I had bilateral TKR in 1981 because I was unable to walk without pain in both of my legs. I was told do it now or end up in a wheel chair in 6 months. The questions I asked myself, was I willing to forego the operations to risk having worse things happen to me by waiting. Was it fair to my family to delay the operations and put their futures at risk. I would ask if there is a form of PT that could ease my pain for an extended period of time without doing any harm to my bones and the surrounding tissue. Is there a medical reason to delay a TKR? Don W > I'm seeing the Dr on Friday morning to get the decision as to whether I > should have an operation on my knee, and if so, what. A replacement is [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Dave > Dave, > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Don W Hhhhm, All good questions that a person has to ask themselves if they also want to do the right thing for the people around them. You have to realize that what is good for you is one of the top things to consider. Dr's get paid the big bucks to tell us when we are waiting too long for the condition of the joint to have a procedure done correctly. What you probably do not realize is that the people around want the best for you too even if they do not tell you in so many words. Living with pain each day and loss of function,,,,,,,,, wears us out to ya know. Is there a point where we get worn down mentally? Answer,,,, Yes, yes, ...... Who pays the price for that,,,,, everyone around you,,, including you. Harv |
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