Is it true that knee cap replacements only last for 10 yrs and can only be done twice in a lifetime?

Question

I am 41 and was diagnosed with chrondro-malatia patella two years ago and will need a knew knee cap doctor wants me to wait 10 yrs saying iam to young to have the procedure meanwhile iam on Oxycodone 4 tabs daily. I do not take maximum dosage and only take when I can't function to do my daily task work etc.

Answer 1

A knee replacement should last 20 years even if the circumstances are not ideal. Patello femoral dysfunction is the preferred term for your problem and that IS an IDEAL circumstance. In addition replacing the joint in 20 years is not at all difficult and I refer to a surgeon who performs replacements without difficulty for those who have already undergone 2 knee replacements while most surgeons avoid the mistakes of others. In 30 years I have never resorted to oxycodone in a circumstance such as yours. There may be important details that you have not given but the above comments suggest that you may wish to consult another physician and or another orthopedic surgeon. Good luck.

Answer 2

My mother had a knee replacement, and had to have another one after 10 years. I've never heard that you can only have 2 in a lifetime, but I doubt that's true for 2 reasons. First, they never told my mother that, and she was only in her 50's when she had the second replacement. Also, my grandmother had had one knee replacement and EIGHT hip replacements. I forget how many on each knee. If they can replace a hip that many times, I don't see why they couldn't do the same with a knee. I can't believe a doctor would expect you to live on such strong pain medication for 10 years. I think I would really consider finding another doctor.