Total Knee replacement

October 6, 2007

In a message dated 10/6/2007 11:58:48 AM Eastern Daylight Time, bevyknitter@... writes:

having my left knee done on October 15th. I am so scared, I was wondering if anyone can tell me their experience's and what to expect. Thanks a lot.

Bev

I had mine done in 8/06 and have loved every minute of my new knee (except for the first couple months)...yes the recovery can be painful and a LOT of work in Physical therapy, but it's all worth it!! Not a day goes by that I don't realize all the pain I was in for years is Gone!

Just ask if you have any questions......

DelawareSee what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

October 6, 2007

Bev, I had my right knee done on July 23 and I wished over and over again that I could find personal accounts of what others experienced. I know that each experience is different, but it would have been consoling to me, for instance, if I could just find an account of pain levels at different periods of recuperation. Consequently, I have kept a diary of sorts and am happy to share it with you soon. I'm almost 11 weeks post-op and am beginning to get some perspective on the whole procedure.Beverly Reynolds <bevyknitter@...> wrote: Hi, I am having my left knee done on October 15th. I am so scared, I was wondering if anyone can tell me their experience's and what to expect. Thanks a lot. Bev Reynolds

Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos more.

October 6, 2007

Bev,

It's ok to feel scared but realize this will no doubt go well. It's hard to know what to tell you except that I am about 9 months out from RTKR and I'm so happy I did it. I have no pain (just a little stiffness from sitting still too long) but I'm able to walk normally.

Make sure someone can be there to help you after the surgery when you get home. I don't know if you are young or older but I was 43 when I had my surgery and wasn't allowed to go to an inpatient rehab but went to my mother's house as I was having the surgery in my hometown rather than where I live now. My husband showed up for the second week (counting from surgery day) to stay with us and then he drove me the 500 miles home. That part was hard and uncomfortable.

I had the surgery on a Tuesday morning and woke feeling pretty woozy but no pain right away. I have the Zimmer gender knee with an extra metal spike in my tibia for support. For anesthesia I had an intrathecal injection (like an epidural but one injection rather than a continuously fed tube) and was also given Versed. I had a catheter in which was taken out the next morning (I think, my memory of this gets more and more vague.) Hours after the surgery, they had me up and walking a little bit with a walker. Full weight bearing.

I wasn't given much to eat until the next day. Once the catheter was out, I was able to hobble with walker to a toilet chair in the bathroom of my hospital room. They said they would put the chair next to the bed, but I didn't want to do that. I had a morphine drip for pain and also some Lortabs. I did hurt and once they started PT, hurt more but I also slept a lot.

I went home Saturday early evening. It was hard to get into the SUV. But the ride was short. I was put on my mom's couch to sleep for the next 10 nights. That worked better for me because it was flat and easier to get off of. My mom took care of me and fixed me meals but insisted I get up and eat all three meals at the dining table. It hurt but was a good way to get better at getting around. I felt better each day and was able to move better each day.

I can't think of anything else to tell you. Perhaps if you asked us particular questions or expressed particular fears, they can be addressed. My advice, take snacks or make sure someone can bring you snacks to the hospital because they don't feed you enough and I know I was hungry. Have good slippers with rubber soles. I didn't worry about pjs as I was fine with the hospital gown for my stay.

-----Original Message-----From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ]On Behalf Of Beverly ReynoldsSent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 8:39 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Total Knee Replacement

Hi,I am having my left knee done on October 15th. I am so scared, I was wondering if anyone can tell me their experience's and what to expect. Thanks a lot.Bev Reynolds

October 11, 2007

Bev, we are all scared to death before our surgeries, its the unknown

that does it. The best advice I can give is not to compare your

recovery with other people. I made that mistake and it really

depressed me, as everyone seemed to be progressing better than me.

Now 10 months down the line after many setbacks, I am at last pain

free and walking very well. Do not expect to be up and doing

everything quickly, take your time and do the exercises you are

given. Make sure that the PT you have is actually giving you

exercises that will help you, my first one was useless but the 2nd

one got me to where I am now in about 4 weeks. I had a worse

experience than most people but I got there, just like you will. All

the best for the surgery on the 15th.

Marilyn (UK)

>

> In a message dated 10/6/2007 11:58:48 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> bevyknitter@... writes:

>

> having my left knee done on October 15th. I am so scared, I was

> wondering if anyone can tell me their experience's and what to

expect.

> Thanks a lot.

>

> Bev

>

> I had mine done in 8/06 and have loved every minute of my new knee

(except

> for the first couple months)...yes the recovery can be painful and

a LOT of

> work in Physical therapy, but it's all worth it!! Not a day goes

by that I don't

> realize all the pain I was in for years is Gone!

> Just ask if you have any questions......

>

> Delaware

>

> ************************************** See what's new at

http://www.aol.com

>

November 24, 2007

Welcome Joan....I'm glad you found us too.....Although I cant answer

your specific questions, I can tell you that the different brands of

knees will all depend on what your doctor uses and your particular

knees and what you expext out of your new knees...I'm sure others here

will have more info and opinions. Good Luck and ask all the questions

you want...

Marguerite

BTKA

8/21/07

On Nov 24, 2007 10:19 AM, Joan Van Blarcom <crazyforcavaliers@...> wrote:

>

> Hello Everyone. I'm new to the group. I'm a candidate for a total

> knee replacement, maybe a partial. When I was 21 (57 now) I had knee

> surgery in which they took out all of my inside miniscus. Have several

> questions. 1. What is the best knee replacement to use? 2.Are there

> any studies where they have rated the replacements? 3.What about the

> use of the computer assisted surgery? Is that a better choice? Think

> I'll stop there. I'm planning on surgery in January. Sure am glad I

> found this group. Joan VB

>

November 24, 2007

Joan,

I had my knee done in January (I was 43, now 44) and had two previous arthroscopic surgeries, one where the meniscus was removed. I chose to have the Zimmer gender knee and I'm really happy with it. My bend now is the same as my other knee and I really have no pain, just occasional stiffness and that can probably be blamed on my OA.

The Zimmer gender knee is designed for a women's Q angle with the pelvis. Some people prefer other appliances, like the rotating platform knee. You can pick by your appliance, or your surgeon. It happened that the surgeon I wanted to use, also used the appliance I wanted.

Mine wasn't computer assisted. I'm now 10 months out and so happy I had it done.

-----Original Message-----From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ]On Behalf Of Joan Van BlarcomSent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 10:19 AMJoint Replacement Subject: Total Knee Replacement

Hello Everyone. I'm new to the group. I'm a candidate for a total knee replacement, maybe a partial. When I was 21 (57 now) I had knee surgery in which they took out all of my inside miniscus. Have several questions. 1. What is the best knee replacement to use? 2.Are there any studies where they have rated the replacements? 3.What about the use of the computer assisted surgery? Is that a better choice? Think I'll stop there. I'm planning on surgery in January. Sure am glad I found this group. Joan VB

November 24, 2007

:

Thank you for the information. I'm going to see my fourth surgeon

this week. First one stopped taking my insurance. Second one I

didn't care for. Third one's billing department was a nightmare.

This doctor comes very highly recommended by other professionals in

the field. He uses the Biomet knee replacement. I've read about the

Zimmer. Nice to hear from someone who has had such a successful

recouperation using the Zimmer knee.

Can you do just about anything you did before the surgery? How

about driving a car. How long before you could drive? My bad knee

is the right one, so I'll have to be able to bend it pretty good

before I can drive.

Thanks again for sharing your experience.

Joan VB

>

> Joan,

>

> I had my knee done in January (I was 43, now 44) and had two

to have

> the Zimmer gender knee and I'm really happy with it. My bend now is

the same

> as my other knee and I really have no pain, just occasional

stiffness and

> that can probably be blamed on my OA.

>

> The Zimmer gender knee is designed for a women's Q angle with the

pelvis.

> Some people prefer other appliances, like the rotating platform

knee. You

> can pick by your appliance, or your surgeon. It happened that the

surgeon I

> wanted to use, also used the appliance I wanted.

>

> Mine wasn't computer assisted. I'm now 10 months out and so happy I

had it

> done.

>

> Total Knee Replacement

>

> Hello Everyone. I'm new to the group. I'm a candidate for a total

> knee replacement, maybe a partial. When I was 21 (57 now) I had

knee

> surgery in which they took out all of my inside miniscus. Have

several

> questions. 1. What is the best knee replacement to use? 2.Are

there

> any studies where they have rated the replacements? 3.What about

the

> use of the computer assisted surgery? Is that a better choice?

Think

> I'll stop there. I'm planning on surgery in January. Sure am glad

I

> found this group. Joan VB

>

November 25, 2007

Joan,

Welcome, ask anything you want. Be sure to check out the book I

recommended just a few days ago. You can search my handle

'DonAVP2000' for the post.

Question 1: When I first started looking into this that was the

question I had. I figured out it is the doctors choose not ours.

Most of the joints are very similar (with the exception of the new

gender joint) and anyone of them will do the job. Technically the

doctor is better qualified to make the brand choose. So if you want a

specific brand find the doctor.

Question 2: There probably are but they are not available to the

general public. I never found any compassions except at the different

brands website and those are only of sales value. Ask the doctor you

see he maybe able to give a web site. Or you could Google it.

Question 3: This technology is just coming into use. The main point

is to keep the opening as small as possible so recovery is shorter. I

asked my doctor about this and he thought if was more of a sales gimic

(sp) than anything. In the case of the knee they don't cut any of the

tendons, liniments and very few muscles in a regular operation. The

bone receives the most trauma because it must be cut for the new

prosthesis and this needs to be done even if the operation is computer

controlled. The soft tissue does get pretty bruised up because the

knee needs to be dislocated for the operation.

Hope this was helpful. I must add that I am not a doctor and am only

telling you what has been my experience and understanding.

Don

>

> Hello Everyone. I'm new to the group. I'm a candidate for a total

> knee replacement, maybe a partial. When I was 21 (57 now) I had knee

> surgery in which they took out all of my inside miniscus. Have several

> questions. 1. What is the best knee replacement to use? 2.Are there

> any studies where they have rated the replacements? 3.What about the

> use of the computer assisted surgery? Is that a better choice? Think

> I'll stop there. I'm planning on surgery in January. Sure am glad I

> found this group. Joan VB

>

November 25, 2007

Actually you might like to look at the " Report of the Review of the

Prostheses Listing Arrangements " which can be found at:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/A397E63789AE5E5DCA\

25736B001D59C2/$File/Prostheses%20review%202007.pdf

It shows which protheses the Australian Government funds or thinks are value

for money (they are very expensive).

Aussie Margaret

LTHR 1990 revised 2004

PS: Thanks for your prayers.

Re: Total Knee Replacement

| Joan,

|

| Welcome, ask anything you want. Be sure to check out the book I

| recommended just a few days ago. You can search my handle

| 'DonAVP2000' for the post.

|

| Question 1: When I first started looking into this that was the

| question I had. I figured out it is the doctors choose not ours.

| Most of the joints are very similar (with the exception of the new

| gender joint) and anyone of them will do the job. Technically the

| doctor is better qualified to make the brand choose. So if you want a

| specific brand find the doctor.

|

| Question 2: There probably are but they are not available to the

| general public. I never found any compassions except at the different

| brands website and those are only of sales value. Ask the doctor you

| see he maybe able to give a web site. Or you could Google it.

|

| Question 3: This technology is just coming into use. The main point

| is to keep the opening as small as possible so recovery is shorter. I

| asked my doctor about this and he thought if was more of a sales gimic

| (sp) than anything. In the case of the knee they don't cut any of the

| tendons, liniments and very few muscles in a regular operation. The

| bone receives the most trauma because it must be cut for the new

| prosthesis and this needs to be done even if the operation is computer

| controlled. The soft tissue does get pretty bruised up because the

| knee needs to be dislocated for the operation.

|

| Hope this was helpful. I must add that I am not a doctor and am only

| telling you what has been my experience and understanding.

|

| Don

|

| >

| > Hello Everyone. I'm new to the group. I'm a candidate for a total

| > knee replacement, maybe a partial. When I was 21 (57 now) I had knee

| > surgery in which they took out all of my inside miniscus. Have several

| > questions. 1. What is the best knee replacement to use? 2.Are there

| > any studies where they have rated the replacements? 3.What about the

| > use of the computer assisted surgery? Is that a better choice? Think

| > I'll stop there. I'm planning on surgery in January. Sure am glad I

| > found this group. Joan VB

| >

|

November 25, 2007

Opps, I gave you the wrong link

try this link

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/43C0290884F20C57CA\

25711D000BC156/$File/Prostheses%20List%20July%202007.pdf

hips start about page 180 or so.

This list is updated 3 times a year.

Hope it helps.

Margaret

Re: Total Knee Replacement

|

|| Joan,

||

|| Welcome, ask anything you want. Be sure to check out the book I

|| recommended just a few days ago. You can search my handle

|| 'DonAVP2000' for the post.

||

|| Question 1: When I first started looking into this that was the

|| question I had. I figured out it is the doctors choose not ours.

|| Most of the joints are very similar (with the exception of the new

|| gender joint) and anyone of them will do the job. Technically the

|| doctor is better qualified to make the brand choose. So if you want a

|| specific brand find the doctor.

||

|| Question 2: There probably are but they are not available to the

|| general public. I never found any compassions except at the different

|| brands website and those are only of sales value. Ask the doctor you

|| see he maybe able to give a web site. Or you could Google it.

||

|| Question 3: This technology is just coming into use. The main point

|| is to keep the opening as small as possible so recovery is shorter. I

|| asked my doctor about this and he thought if was more of a sales gimic

|| (sp) than anything. In the case of the knee they don't cut any of the

|| tendons, liniments and very few muscles in a regular operation. The

|| bone receives the most trauma because it must be cut for the new

|| prosthesis and this needs to be done even if the operation is computer

|| controlled. The soft tissue does get pretty bruised up because the

|| knee needs to be dislocated for the operation.

||

|| Hope this was helpful. I must add that I am not a doctor and am only

|| telling you what has been my experience and understanding.

||

|| Don

||

|| >

|| > Hello Everyone. I'm new to the group. I'm a candidate for a total

|| > knee replacement, maybe a partial. When I was 21 (57 now) I had knee

|| > surgery in which they took out all of my inside miniscus. Have several

|| > questions. 1. What is the best knee replacement to use? 2.Are there

|| > any studies where they have rated the replacements? 3.What about the

|| > use of the computer assisted surgery? Is that a better choice? Think

|| > I'll stop there. I'm planning on surgery in January. Sure am glad I

|| > found this group. Joan VB

|| >

||

November 25, 2007

Joan,

I can do anything I did before though getting up and down from the floor (to play with my child) is still a little difficult, but it was in the four years before when the pain was bad, too. I had my right knee done also. I was able to drive at 7 weeks. The first week back driving hurt a little but then no problems. It would take less time for a left knee but being able to move the right foot from accelerator to brake takes a bit of doing.

Before surgery (and really for at least a year before surgery) I had to use an electric cart in large stores because I couldn't walk that far. As soon as I was out and about, I could walk through Wal-Mart with just a shopping cart. We'll be going to Disney World at Christmas and I know I can walk the whole park for all the days we're there.

Total Knee Replacement> > > Hello Everyone. I'm new to the group. I'm a candidate for a total> knee replacement, maybe a partial. When I was 21 (57 now) I had knee> surgery in which they took out all of my inside miniscus. Have several> questions. 1. What is the best knee replacement to use? 2.Are there> any studies where they have rated the replacements? 3.What about the> use of the computer assisted surgery? Is that a better choice? Think> I'll stop there. I'm planning on surgery in January. Sure am glad I> found this group. Joan VB>

November 27, 2007

Margaret:

I couldn't get this link to work. Could you please try again. I

really appreciate it.

Joan VB

- In Joint Replacement , " Margaret "

<zztinau@...> wrote:

>

> Opps, I gave you the wrong link

>

> try this link

>

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/43C02908

84F20C57CA25711D000BC156/$File/Prostheses%20List%20July%202007.pdf

>

> hips start about page 180 or so.

>

> This list is updated 3 times a year.

>

> Hope it helps.

>

> Margaret

>

> Re: Total Knee Replacement

> |

> || Joan,

> ||

> || Welcome, ask anything you want. Be sure to check out the book I

> || recommended just a few days ago. You can search my handle

> || 'DonAVP2000' for the post.

> ||

> || Question 1: When I first started looking into this that was the

> || question I had. I figured out it is the doctors choose not ours.

> || Most of the joints are very similar (with the exception of the

new

> || gender joint) and anyone of them will do the job. Technically

the

> || doctor is better qualified to make the brand choose. So if you

want a

> || specific brand find the doctor.

> ||

> || Question 2: There probably are but they are not available to the

> || general public. I never found any compassions except at the

different

> || brands website and those are only of sales value. Ask the

doctor you

> || see he maybe able to give a web site. Or you could Google it.

> ||

> || Question 3: This technology is just coming into use. The main

point

> || is to keep the opening as small as possible so recovery is

shorter. I

> || asked my doctor about this and he thought if was more of a sales

gimic

> || (sp) than anything. In the case of the knee they don't cut any

of the

> || tendons, liniments and very few muscles in a regular operation.

The

> || bone receives the most trauma because it must be cut for the new

> || prosthesis and this needs to be done even if the operation is

computer

> || controlled. The soft tissue does get pretty bruised up because

the

> || knee needs to be dislocated for the operation.

> ||

> || Hope this was helpful. I must add that I am not a doctor and am

only

> || telling you what has been my experience and understanding.

> ||

> || Don

> ||

> || >

> || > Hello Everyone. I'm new to the group. I'm a candidate for a

total

> || > knee replacement, maybe a partial. When I was 21 (57 now) I

had knee

> || > surgery in which they took out all of my inside miniscus.

Have several

> || > questions. 1. What is the best knee replacement to use?

2.Are there

> || > any studies where they have rated the replacements? 3.What

about the

> || > use of the computer assisted surgery? Is that a better

choice? Think

> || > I'll stop there. I'm planning on surgery in January. Sure am

glad I

> || > found this group. Joan VB

> || >

> ||

March 15, 2009

Slymet,

I am so sorry to hear about your accident and your broken femur. I just had an

anterior RTHR using the Pro-Fx table by Dr. Moon. I had it on Jan. 13 and was

back in the classroom on a limited basis a week later and driving myself at two

weeks. Things are going well though I am still working through my limp.

As far as the knee, I found Dr. Coon through this group I think. Hollie has had

work done by him along with if I am not mistaken. Here is a copy of one

of the emails Hollie sent about Dr. Coons.

I got a Zimmer NexGen High Flex. And I believe all Dr. Coon's

patients praise him. They come from all over the country and he has

the Palm Springs crowd all going to him.

He invented, teaches and patented the MIS Quad Sparing knee

replacement. Since the quad muscle is not cut (or ligaments) the

recovery is soooo very much faster. Please see the technique and

interviews with him and patients at his website:

http://www.osiresea rch.com/default. htm

He's done over 4,000 of these surgeries, all he does is knees, he is

the best.

He's either late 40s, early 50s, sincere, down to business guy. He

was not condescending or patronizing to me when I quizzed him about

which device to use (during surgery I yelled out something and he

told his assistant... " she's read all the literature " ) . After

surgery he explained that the Zimmer high flex mobile bearing knee

that we had discussed using, during the surgery, he discovered

either my tibia or femur needed a size 3.5 and the intended device

only went down to a 4, so he put in a NexGen High Flex instead since

it is for smaller bones. I'm OK with that, it's a good device. I

really liked that he took the time to tell me what happened during

surgery and his reasons. He also told me that my bones were in good

shape and other details.

He has been a designing surgeon for Zimmer, but also used DePuy

rotating platform a lot in the past and now often uses the new

Stryker Triathlon system. I doubt there is any knee system he has

not used or knows about. He does other surgeries besides TKRs, like

patella stuff.

He has done 4000 TKRs, over 700 a year, each takes him 35 minutes to

do. Is he good? He is the best knee surgeon probably in the US, or

one of them. He teaches in Europe.

He is located in Red Bluff, apparently he likes the outdoorsy life

and has a whole hospital wing all for him. He and the hospital have

a .004 infection rate. But does that really matter when you're only

in the hospital less than 24 hours?

I've posted his name and website here many times but nobody seemed

to care until my surgery.

I heard about him from a patient of his who praised him. Since then

I've met many, many who have praised him. Why have a week long stay

in the hospital, then months of rehab when you don't have to?

Last time I went up I saw a woman in her 50s, three weeks from her

surgery, and I could barely see her scar. And she had driven herself

there from Sacramento, a 2.25 hour drive.

Hollie

While I was at Cedar, I mentioned the quad sparing technique and one of the PT

folks said that a couple of the orthos at Cedar were doing it. I think Dr.

Pennenberg was one but I am not sure. I would call those two and ask because

the PT person spoke highly of that Dr. and their results.

I have an appointment with Dr. Coons in April. From what I have heard, he has

the most experience with that technique so I am going there...he is also covered

by Blue Cross. My second choice would be one of the Cedars Docs. I am so

impressed with Cedars.

Mike

From: slynnetsbcglobal (DOT) net <mailto:slynnet% 40sbcglobal. net>

Subject: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] Total knee replacement

Total_Joint_ Replacement

<mailto:Total_ Joint_Replacemen t%40groups. com>

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2009, 11:08 PM

I need a total knee replacement. My left knee is bone on bone. I had a hip

replacement one year ago. That surgeon said that he does knees that they are

much easier than hips. I don't know what to do. My hip surgen was

Moon @ Cedars, in Los Angeles. Has anyone heard of him? Any suggestions. How

do you pick a good surgeon?

Slynnet

March 16, 2009

Mike, did you ever consider Dr. Moon for your knee surgery. He tells me

that he does them all the time and for the surgeon they are easier then the

knee, but for the patient the knees are harder.

He used a Stryker metal for my hip. I don't know what he uses for knee.

Dr. Coon is so far away. I live 10 minutes from Cedars.

I did mention m y knees to Dr. Moon, in fact he has given me two cortisone

shots in my left knee to hood me till I can have surgery. He thinks he's

doing my knees. I am so confused. Dr. coon sounds great, but I will be

away from everyone.

Slynnet (Sheila)

From: Joint Replacement

[mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Mike Rivas

Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 8:21 PM

Joint Replacement

Subject: RE: Total knee replacement

Slymet,

I am so sorry to hear about your accident and your broken femur. I just had

an anterior RTHR using the Pro-Fx table by Dr. Moon. I had it on Jan. 13

and was back in the classroom on a limited basis a week later and driving

myself at two weeks. Things are going well though I am still working

through my limp.

As far as the knee, I found Dr. Coon through this group I think. Hollie has

had work done by him along with if I am not mistaken. Here is a copy

of one of the emails Hollie sent about Dr. Coons.