Re: Bilateral Total Knees next month

May 28, 2008

Hi,

I am scheduled for a TKR on June 23 at Brigham's and Women's Hospital in

Boston. I also do not have intense pain, but my knee is locked in semi bent

position. This creates instability - I fall or feel like falling and limp if I

walk over a mile. I am awkward when I climb steps, have pain in my other

knee and hips after standing for long periods of time or walking on cement

floors (shopping and malls) for long periods of time. I also felt like I was

dragging a dead log this winter - my leg was very stiff this winter especially

since I keep my house cold for long periods of time (below 55 degrees).

I had my meniscus removed in 1967 - just months before micro surgery began -

all the cartilage was removed from one side of my left knee - my knee was

loop sided from that day forward I was in recuperation at the hospital for 9

days that surgeon went on a skiing holiday while I recuperated ....I saw my

present surgeon when I was in my early 40's and he predicted that I would

require a TKR by my 65th birthday - I am doing it one year early (am 64 in

August) ...I am looking forward so I can bend my knee and stop limping...

My one worry is the problem of infections - I am allergic to most

antibiotics - had pneumonia for 8 weeks because the doctors could not find an

antibiotic that I was not allergic to and would immediately throw up...

one of my dogs has hip dysphasia and am planning on having his hips operated

on in September.

If any one else has had or has this problem would be interested in

continuing this conversation I will respond before and after surgery.

Diane

In a message dated 5/28/2008 9:42:26 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

carolnrth@... writes:

I am 62. Can anyone describe the pain they had which drove them to an

orthopedic surgeon for a consult on TKR? I ask because I have degenerative

arthritis, tore all the meniscus in both my knees in the early '90s, can barely

walk,

but the pain isn't necessarily in my knees. I do have knee pain, but also

incredible back pain when I stand and walk for more than a minute or two.

Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

savannahbreezes <_savannahbreezes@savannahb_

(mailto:savannahbreezes@...) > wrote:

Will be having total knee replacements for both my knees next month. I

am 63 and after all the pain I have had, I can't wait to have the

surgery.

Ayone else on the list who had both knees done at the same time?

Lucinda

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch " Cooking with

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May 28, 2008

I am 62. Can anyone describe the pain they had which drove them to an

orthopedic surgeon for a consult on TKR? I ask because I have degenerative

arthritis, tore all the meniscus in both my knees in the early '90s, can barely

walk, but the pain isn't necessarily in my knees. I do have knee pain, but also

incredible back pain when I stand and walk for more than a minute or two.

Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

savannahbreezes <savannahbreezes@...> wrote:

Will be having total knee replacements for both my knees next month. I

am 63 and after all the pain I have had, I can't wait to have the

surgery.

Ayone else on the list who had both knees done at the same time?

Lucinda

May 28, 2008

Pain is subjective and my " level " of pain is different than yours. Each

person has a different level. That said pain is pain doesn't matter how

bad, how much but how does it affect your life. If you are having problems

walking with back pain - listen to your Dr. and have the surgery. Remember

that old song - the knee bone connected to the thigh bone, etc. Your back

problems could be from the way you are walking. Once the knee(s) are

corrected that pain just might go away.

I'm one of a few on this email list that had bi-lateral. It was painful

before the surgery, had the surgery pain and am very glad I did it. Almost

everytime I go shopping I'm grateful that it is pain free and no longer do I

have to think about planning that meal around the front of the store. Hated

that the meat was at the back lol. Now it just does not matter where that

food it or even that parking spot.

Gloria

May 28, 2008

For me it was that every step hurt. I was making choices about going places.

Dreading even walking through my house. Most of my pain was in my knees but

my hips hurt, too because I was limping. I always had to take electric carts

in large stores and couldn't walk more than a block without sweating from

pain. My knee was crackling and scraping inside and I could tell the damage

was just increasing.

Re: Bilateral Total Knees next month

I am 62. Can anyone describe the pain they had which drove them to an

orthopedic surgeon for a consult on TKR? I ask because I have degenerative

arthritis, tore all the meniscus in both my knees in the early '90s, can

barely walk, but the pain isn't necessarily in my knees. I do have knee

pain, but also incredible back pain when I stand and walk for more than a

minute or two.

Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

savannahbreezes <savannahbreezes@...> wrote:

Will be having total knee replacements for both my knees next

month. I

am 63 and after all the pain I have had, I can't wait to have the

surgery.

Ayone else on the list who had both knees done at the same time?

Lucinda

May 28, 2008

>

> For me it was that every step hurt. I was making choices about going

places. Dreading even walking through my house. Most of my pain was in

my knees but my hips hurt, too because I was limping. I always had to

take electric carts in large stores and couldn't walk more than a

block without sweating from

pain. My knee was crackling and scraping inside and I could tell the

damage was just increasing.

I can get thru the day unless I bump into something & yank my knee

the wrong way. Worst is at night...took years to figure out how to lay

with leg straight, a pillow under my knee, pillows on each side. Every

morning it's a challenge when I first get up, hoping I didn't move

during the night. 20 years of this has been too long.

May 28, 2008

> My one worry is the problem of infections - I am allergic to most

antibiotics - had pneumonia for 8 weeks because the doctors could not

find an antibiotic that I was not allergic to and would immediately

throw up... If any one else has had or has this problem would be

interested in continuing this conversation I will respond before and

after surgery.

Diane

Diane, I'm worried about antibiotics too but for a different reason. I

have major digestion trouble & I know antibiotics will set me back

further by destroying good intestinal bacteria. I wonder what would've

happened in your case if you had stayed on any of the antibiotics &

just endured the throwing up ? That's one of the body's ways of

getting rid of toxins. My OS promised a 24 hour IV antobiotic dose &

no more. I hope that's true.

May 28, 2008

>

> Thanks for your suggestion - unfortunately, I am allergic! Does

anyone else have any suggestions for antibiotics for dental work? Is

it absolutely necessary to have antibiotics when I have any dental

work? Diane

Diane, I've never been given antibiotics for ANY dental work. It must

be a matter of preference by some dentists. If your health is good

you should be fine without antibiotics. Susie

May 28, 2008

Carol,

From what others have said with regard to pain and all. The operative

issue is if you find yourself adjusting your life around your knee or

knees or hips. Like some have said you plan out and think before you

commit to any activity that would cause pain, swelling or discomfort

afterward. When that becomes the norm then it is time to replace the

old joint, bottom line. It has nothing to do with age or how long the

thing will last.

Someone on this forum said a year or more ago. When a doctor stated

that the operation should be delayed because of one of the above.

That person said back to the doctor, " Would you put up with the pain I

am having for 5, 10 or 20 years? " Nuff said.

Don

> Will be having total knee replacements for both my knees

next month. I

> am 63 and after all the pain I have had, I can't wait to have the

> surgery.

>

> Ayone else on the list who had both knees done at the same time?

> Lucinda

>

May 29, 2008

Lucinda,

I am 55 & need both knees done desparately since they are at the point of

almost not allowing me to bend them enough to walk anymore~~~ But am still in

process of chosing a surgeon for I know nothing about this surgery except it's

much better than it was years ago when my knees started getting bad. I am

not sure where to locate a good doc-that is what I am most afraid of-also

there are so many different types of knees available now. How did you choose?

Why did you decide to do both at once? Any answers most welcome-I am also in

such pain it's really unbearable but do NOT want to be in a wheelchair so

need to get going on setting myself up for surgery.

Thanks,

Chris-FL

**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch " Cooking with

Tyler Florence " on AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4 & ?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

May 29, 2008

I knew which appliance I wanted (Zimmer Gender knee for Women) and I was

pretty sure I wanted to go with my OS from my hometown so I looked on the

Zimmer site to make sure he was trained for it (he was) and then made

arrangements with him. If I hadn't gone to him, no one in my town did that

appliance but I couldn't have gone about 100 miles away to the closest OS

that did.

You might go to the Zimmer site, the DePuys site (another appliance people

like) and just google artificial knees to look at each appliance and read

about them. Once you pick an appliance, it will have a list of surgeons in

your area.

Or, ask people who they used and base it on the surgeon and not the

appliance. I live in Arkansas so I can't help you with Florida if that's

where I understand you to live.

Re: Bilateral Total Knees next month

Lucinda,

I am 55 & need both knees done desparately since they are at the point of

almost not allowing me to bend them enough to walk anymore~~~ But am still

in

process of chosing a surgeon for I know nothing about this surgery except

it's

much better than it was years ago when my knees started getting bad. I am

not sure where to locate a good doc-that is what I am most afraid of-also

there are so many different types of knees available now. How did you

choose?

Why did you decide to do both at once? Any answers most welcome-I am also

in

such pain it's really unbearable but do NOT want to be in a wheelchair so

need to get going on setting myself up for surgery.

Thanks,

Chris-FL

**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch " Cooking with

Tyler Florence " on AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4 & ?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

May 29, 2008

I'm pretty much in the same boat but I've been fortunate because tehy extra

strength back and body by Excederin does work. I'm looking into synvisc shots

again. I just don't know how to make a decision as to what is right for my

knees. How do you decide on what surgeon, what knee replacement, etc. I also,

have a MVP and have to be premedicated for the dentist. I've never been in the

hospital before so that's a little intimidating as well. I keep moving, cause

I'm putting this off as long as possible. Although, I opt for a motorized cart

when I have a full day of walking at fairs, or events. I have to watch my

weight carefully cause anything over 170 for me cripples my knees and then I'm

out of service! LOL

Judy

From: [mailto: JK@...]

Joint Replacement

Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 15:59:56 EDT

Subject: Re: Bilateral Total Knees next month