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--- Am I too young for a total knee replacement?
On 9 Aug 2004 10:18:04 -0700, richjstewart@hotmail.com (Stewart) wrote: >Last year two days after my 40th birthday, I had a severe accident on >my dirt bike which resulted in a tibial plateau fracture (more like a >smash - I hit a tree going very fast). After it was all said and >done, I ended up with nothing between my tibia and femur but bone, the >meniscus was completely destroyed. I am limping still and have >constant pain. Also, I still have many screws and a large plate. The >reduction was not as successful as the doctor hoped and I am limited >to about 95 degrees for range of motion. > >Last week I was released by my doctor but he told me the only options >now would be to do a knee replacement or a knee fusion (which he said >he would not recommend at this point). He told me to go as long as I >could before getting a knee replacement because that was "an old man >operation." He said I should endure the pain and reduced activity >levels until I just couldn't handle it. > >Prior to my accident, I was extremely active, running several times a >week, basketball a couple times a week, mountain biking, coaching >soccer and going to the gym every day. It was hard for me to accept a >"slower" life style but I think I am getting there. I just have to >refocus lower impact activities like swimming, etc. Sorry, I am >getting off the subject. > >From my limited research, it sounds like knee replacements haven't >quite "gotten there" like other joint replacements. Also, the more >active you are the faster they wear out (remember Bo Jackson?). What >advice or direction can anyone give me on when to get one, type of >replacement and anything that can help get my mind and body back in >sync. > >Thanks for listening to the ramblings and any advice or thoughts you >might have. > >Rich Stewart Try researching "Oxford Knee" http://www.arc.org.uk/newsviews/arctdy/111/kneereps.htm
What > >advice or direction can anyone give me on when to get one, type of > >replacement and anything that can help get my mind and body back in > >sync. > > > >Thanks for listening to the ramblings and any advice or thoughts you > >might have. > > > >Rich Stewart > > Try researching "Oxford Knee" > > http://www.arc.org.uk/newsviews/arctdy/111/kneereps.htm > > IMO,,, I do not believe in living many years with pain and loss of function. Have the replacement...... Change your lifestyle to living with an artificial joint. I remember the guy that wanted his knees replaced so that he could get back on the slopes again..... At about #$ 35 thousand a knee,,,, how stupid is that??? Just a thought. Harv
I had mine replaced six weeks apart back in 2000. I'm now 55, wish I had it done 10 years ago. I don't know about running, but I have no pain and no limp. I'm very over weight and I've lost 80 # since operation, but still need 125 #, but I'm in no pain and i can play better golf, from 25 handicap to 16 handicap now.
If it were me, I must say I have had not replacements so purely my own opinion, I would research if there is anything else that can help with pain improve it for you, if not then get the operation done, as no point spending the next 10 years in pain, especially as if nothing else can help. I have done a little research to see whats around for Arthritic pains etc, as I get pains in my hands from being an administrator for so many years, and have found that there are some various alternative therapies, tablets etc, I'm not saying that they would help you, but if you don't research it you'll never know. the ones I've tried for my condition are various different tablet capsules, years ago they recommended cod liver oil, didn't help that much, then tried Glucosamine Sulphate can get from boots or local supermarket, that worked for about 18 months or so, then came across a Capsule called Collagen, you may have heard of it. If you want to find more info on this there are many websites about, the one I've used is www.howsdat.com. Entirely up to you, but if all else fails get the OP and be done with it, and Live your life to the fullest possible. After all we're all along time dead. "sterling" > I had mine replaced six weeks apart back in 2000. I'm now 55, wish I had > it done 10 years ago. I don't know about running, but I have no pain and > no limp. I'm very over weight and I've lost 80 # since operation, but > still need 125 #, but I'm in no pain and i can play better golf, from 25 > handicap to 16 handicap now.
Stewart wrote in message ... >Prior to my accident, I was extremely active, running several times a >week, basketball a couple times a week, mountain biking, coaching >soccer and going to the gym every day. It was hard for me to accept a >"slower" life style but I think I am getting there. I just have to >refocus lower impact activities like swimming, etc. Sorry, I am >getting off the subject. > >From my limited research, it sounds like knee replacements haven't >quite "gotten there" like other joint replacements. Also, the more >active you are the faster they wear out (remember Bo Jackson?). What >advice or direction can anyone give me on when to get one, type of >replacement and anything that can help get my mind and body back in >sync. > >Thanks for listening to the ramblings and any advice or thoughts you >might have. > >Rich Stewart It sounds to me that you just said that you can't do the things you want to with your damaged knee but you don't want to get an artificial knee because it might wear out. That may make sense to folks who don't have artificial joints, but it doesn't compute for me, a person who has had a joint replaced. My hip replacement was much more traumatic than any knee replacement you are considering. However, I am working very hard to wear it out (Step Aerobics four times a week). If it wears out, I'll get another one. If that one wears out, I'll go back again. I know a lady who got her first hip replacement at age 18 and is now walking around on her third hip. Before my replacement, I could say ". I am limping still and have constant pain. " Now I have essentially no hip pain under normal circumstances (walking, biking, dancing, home chores) though I still have some "interesting moments" when I test novel and unapproved ways to do the Steps in my Step Aerobics classes (or when I fall off my bike). If your damaged joint limits your lifestyle, get it replaced. Regards Old Al 1 2 Next » Related Discussion: Neopathy of the feet of type II (3 posts) Better helath (2 posts) Boston Scientific defective medical devices (1 posts) Insulin and the heart (1 posts) Top Discussions From Our Archives Excerpt: Gold Coast Diet Serves Hope for MS Other Discussion Categories Diabetes Symptoms Health Care Policy Health Care Providers HMO
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