knee replacements?

Has anyone ever had one? What is the recovery like? I have been waiting to have one done, both my drs will not do it till im 40 i cant wait any longer I go to the dr on March 14 and I want to talk my dr into doing it early (i will be 37).. Just wonder what im getting my self into, I have two boys ages 14 and 9. thanks for any info

Re: knee replacements?

my mom just had hers done. She was in the hospital for three days and spent two weeks in rehab....(she wanted to stay in rehab, it was not necessary). It took her a month or so to get back to her normal self.

Re: knee replacements?

thanks, i really cant stay in rehab for 2 weeks, since i have the children. Not really looking forward the surgery just cant take the pain anymore

Re: knee replacements?

i work on a rehab. unit in a nursing home so not from my own experience, but from the experiences of my patients, they are usually so glad to have done it once the recovery process is over (a lot of pain in the beginning but worth being able to walk pain-free). you can opt for home therapy if your insurance will cover it since you can't go to inpatient rehab.
just curious, is surgery the last option? i don't know about new technology for knee replacements, but with the old ones, they basically have to be replaced every 10 years,so it might be a little early to have one?

sorry you're going through this :(

eta: it can take up to 4 weeks to be able to do things on your own and function sufficiently and i think a full recovery takes about 6 months

Message edited 2/7/2011 9:45:15 PM.

Re: knee replacements?

I have never had one but it is an eventual option that my doctor has discussed with me. I am only 34 so for me it is not an option right now. I have worked very hard to strengthen the supporting muscles in my legs and my pain has significantly decreased. The current technology is not suited for people our age. Most knee replacements are only good for 10 years. If you choose to get the surgery done you will most likely require inpatient rehab. It is a huge surgery and you will not be able to care for your children in the days following the surgery. The only people I know that have had the surgery done were in their 60's and it was a good month before they were back to a normal routine. Have you tried PT? I started with PT after my first knee surgery and then worked with a personal trainer who focuses on Rehab. Now I due strength training on my own and I take pilates. The pilates has helped a lot! HTH

Re: knee replacements?

thanks samatha, i have tried p/t, shots of cortizone, synvise(sp) shots nothing has helped. After my last MRI there was major change from last years MRI (worse of course) bone on bone no cartliage at all.. the pain seems to be getting worse and worse there are days where i cant get out of bed, but medicate myself and do it.. i have 8 prior surgerys to this knee. At this point, where do you go? Live on pain pills for another 3 years? both my drs both said no knee replacement before 40, but im just not sure how much longer i can go on like this. :( thanks for your advise.

Re: knee replacements?