Help...........husband needs TKR - Knee & Hip Problems Message Board

cody48 · 06-21-2007, 07:22 AM

My husband has had knee problems for probably eight years....it got progressively worse. He kept putting off going to the doctor MAINLY because we didn't know who to go to. I finally talked him into calling our Internist for a referral. He ended up being one of the Top 10 Orthopedists in Atlanta (according to Atlanta Magazine). Everyone that we talked with kept saying "you have cartilege problems and will have the surgery and will be up and around before you know it". Imagine our surprise when he was instantly told by his doctor that he needed a total knee replacement on his right knee.......bone on bone. My husband said that when the doctor showed him the X-rays of both knees that it was obvious.

I've done a lot of reading but once I came to this board I'm scared to death. Has anyone out there had this surgery with a good outcome? Would you get a second opinion? His doctor said that he does over 300 a year.....I suppose that if you're going to have this done that you want someone with experience.

Quite frankly, I was concerned enough with just reading about the recovery time but all of the other problems that people have has me wondering whether he should put this off as long as he can deal with the pain.

ANYONE out there with good results???????

cody48 · 06-22-2007, 06:37 AM

Is there no one who has had or even KNOWS anyone who has had good results from total knee replacement? My husband is really worried about whether to have this done right away or wait as long as he can.

Moldova · 06-22-2007, 08:48 AM

I am sorry nobody answers you who has experience in this type surgery. I am new to this board and posted my thread today. I see that many people when it to read it but nobody replied... interesting...
Well, i am facing my right knee replacement also, i had 2 previous surgeries many years ago and not much they can offer at this stage of the game, just plain total knee replacement.
I am worry also, but i know so many people who had tuff recovery, but they all are doing great after. For some it was a year, for some 6 month. I know it was many month of PT, but it is OK with me. Painful of course, but in a long run it will be better - i am sure your husband has very hard time walking. I know how hard to walk when bone on bone.
Good luck to you and i hope if he has surgery - he will do great. Just make sure you have couple opinions and get the best Doctor you can get. I am having this done at Hospital for special Surgeries in NYC.
I had a 15 month ago 2 level spinal fusion and still recovering...

cody48 · 06-23-2007, 10:43 AM

Moldova, thank you for responding. This really bothers me now. My main question was "has anyone out there had this surgery with a good outcome?" Since no one but you has responded am I to assume that NO ONE has had a good outcome. I must not have asked the question properly. Guess I'll try another board.

Thank you so much for responding. When you have problems like these you just want input. I do appreciate your response.

MichaelWayne63 · 06-24-2007, 10:14 PM

Hope you receive this. I work daily with total knee replacements and have followed many throughout recovery. I am blessed to work with some of the finest orthos in the country and knee replacement surgery is very successful if the basic procedures are followed. Research outcomes of any surgeon and you will find complaints of all natures. The MAJORITY of all the surgeries I have been involved with have been successful. It is a very painful recovery and pain management is crucial secondary to the amount of Physical Therapy involved. Not to mention the procedure itself. The therapy starts immediately, (day one post-op) and will continue in gradual increments until full recovery. I have personally witnessed hundreds of total knee recoveries over the years and have been blessed to see lives changed because of them. It is all a matter of quality of life to the individual involved. I hope this helps. Good luck to you and your husband.