Is 41 years of age to young to have a knee cap replaced?

Question

I am an average height and weight female in good health but my surgeon says im too young to have the surgery. Since im young and in good health would'nt I be a better candidate for surgery than an older senior citizen with liver damage cuz thats what is happening to me with all these pain meds im on just to be able to walk. Can someone please make sense of this for me????

Answer 1

It depends if the surgery is inevitable or not. If you can strengthen your knee to the point where surgery would not be needed then that would be best. If you going to have to have the surgery, no matter what, you're right, you should have it while you're still young enough to heal quickly. More importantly, your physical therapy will go a lot smoother at this age than it would in 20 years. The PT will really determine whether the surgery was successful for you or not. Our body's healing ability, just like most things, deteriorate with age. Bottom line: if you can heal/train/strengthen your knee with out surgery, go for it. If you have to have the surgery, do it now and give yourself a better chance at a ful recovery.

Answer 2

I don't understand the reasoning behind this either. It is because the replacement knee will need to be replaced again in X amount of years which could cause you to have surgery, two to three times more throughout your lifetime. But, does that matter if your in constant pain which makes your life miserable? They have new replacements made out of different materials which last longer. I would go for a second opinion too, maybe you can find someone who agrees that more surgeries down the road is better than living life in pain. Good luck!

Answer 3

Please, get online, and find a good orthopeadic surgeon in your area . I have met a young man in his twenties who was in therapy at the same time as I was(for my arthroplasty(hip) who had knee surgery for the third time! I hope he had enough stamina to find another surgeon. The matirials in the replacements are longer lasting They will not do the surgery unless your test show that it is absolutely necessary and you need to be in relatively good health, as well,to go through the surgery best of luck and God Bless you

Answer 4

It's because the replacements only last an average of 10 years. Maybe a year or 2 more, but that's it. And once you have a replacement it is almost impossible to put another one in. They change and once they remove the natural joint, the one they put in HAS to be the last one you get. I'm 41 and waiting for an ankle replacement, too.

Answer 5

The age matters in your case, as the replaced ones are not
known to last for 50+ yrs. I think that's the reason for older
people being better suited for knee cap replacement surgeries.
Hope this was helpful!

Answer 6

I was in a car accident in Apr 04, after two failed arthroscopes my doctor opted to replace my knee cap. This was done in Apr 05 and I have had more problems and pain since and wished I had never had it done, because now a total knee replacement is needed.

Answer 7

get a second opinion, your body is young and strong except for the knee. it is better to have it done now when you are strong.. my mother had one when she was in her 70's and took a long time to recover.

Answer 8

Not getting the answers you seek? Get another opinion.and another and another if need be... (this is why malpractice insurance exists) A doctor can only go with what he sees, so, make sure more than one doctor sees your particular situation...

Answer 9

if your knees need to be replaced then it doesn't matter how old you are. talk to your doc. if they hurt tell him. if need be, get a second opinon. if you need it you should get it. your bones arent something you wanna mess around with