I'm a 39 year old man with a busted knee. I was shot about 12 yrs ago and the bullet almost completely shattered my knee. Being a "man" I didn't follow up with the proper rehabilitation and now my knee has stiffened with arthiritis. Not to mention there are bullet fragments still inside as well. So after finally taking the advice of my wife and seeing a doctor, I was told that my knee is in the worse shape they have ever seen a knee in for a man my age. Long story short, they insisted that I have "complete knee replacement surgery" right away. I've heard some really good and some really bad stories about this type of surgery. Can anyone out there give me some advice and direction on this particular matter?
2006-10-25 02:05:21 · 6 answers · asked by cleotis 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Yes i can ...go for it. If your having chronic pain now you will really benefit from this. On the average knee replacement usually last about ten to fifteen years now. They can repeat it if need be another time. Of course that doesn't mean your knee will fall apart after that time it may last alot longer. One of the biggest things after surgery is keeping excess weight off of you so your knee lasts alot longer. So i would definitely go for the surgery and I'm sure you will be saying after wards what was the delay? Knee surgery is very common now and has a very good success rate.
2006-10-25 02:11:38 · answer #1 · answered by sammy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At any given time, I have 5-6 patients on my caseload who've had a knee replacement. I would say that 90% of people are very happy with it and "wish they had done it years ago."
Traditional knee relacement usually involves a 4 night stay in the hospital with physical therapy and occupational therapy beginning the day after surgery. The focus in the hospital is pain control, learning how to get in and out of bed, how to walk with a walker or crutches, self care activities, etc. Many people are discharged home, some are referred to an extended care facility to continue intensive rehab...especially if the person is elderly, lives alone , and has stairs in the home.
The newer minimally invasive knee involves about a 4 inch incision and usually an overnight hospital stay is all that is required. Not many surgeons use this approach and not everyone is a candidate for this surgery. I've seen many successful outcomes of this and they tend to get their range of motion back easier.
Regaining range of motion is the focus for the first 1-2 months of physical therapy as well as strengthening. Physical therapy is continued for ususally 8-12 weeks...depending on the needs of the person. It is a big time committment, but well worth it in the end.
My biggest piece of advice to you would be to get off of home health as soon as you are able to make it into the outpatient clinic. There is only so much that can be done in the home and I find that those who have spent more than 4 weeks with home health typically encounter adhesions and have poorer strength.
While most people are happy and have successful outcomes, there are, of course, risks. Infection and blood clots are the biggest...but even though this may slow rehab, they usually "catch up" in the end. More serious complications include loosening of the prosthesis which requires revision and poor size choice by the surgeon which prevents the patient from being able to regain full extension. These complications are rare, and I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've seen it.
Best wishes.
2006-10-26 15:25:38 · answer #2 · answered by mistify 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My friend just went through a complete knee replacement surgery and is doing fine. They had her up the next day and walking with help. 2 weeks later with a walker, last week with a cane and doing great, not a lot of pain either. Much better than before the operation. It's worth the effort. She's 50. I also have other friends who have had the operation and feel 100% better. I have never heard anything bad from them, maybe they were just stories they told you to scare you. Some people do that.
2006-10-25 02:10:29 · answer #3 · answered by Mary Smith 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My grandmother had the surgery & it was the best thing she has ever done!! It did take a while for everything to go back to normal, but when she was able to walk again she was like a new person. No pain, no stiffness.
I hope you make the best decision for yourself & get help!
2006-10-25 02:08:26 · answer #4 · answered by Heather 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
contact: E. Mark Marriani St. Marks Hosp. Salt lake City , UT.
Orthopedic surgeon..( rebuilt mine and works on the "Jazz" Basketball Team players.) However he is a stickler on follow up Physical Therapy.
2006-10-25 02:11:12 · answer #5 · answered by twostories 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a 71 year old veteran. Are there increased risks with age?
2015-11-01 02:22:13 · answer #6 · answered by Nicole 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋