Anyone have a knee resurfacing? Advice pls...

Kissa

I just read a recent study, it's the second one in fact, that says that arthroscopies do not provide any benifit to those with knee problems, specifically OA. Makes you wonder why doctors do these. They did a similiar study several years ago, I guess they haven't learned anything.

Anyhow.

I've not had a resurfacing other than the underside of my knee cap. Like you, I have no cartilage between my joint as it was removed when I was a child to stop my leg from growing.

While I can't really comment one way or another I can say get a second opinion and find out if a partial knee replacement might not suit you better since you have no cartilage at all. Get all the education you can, try to find someone who had the surgery locally and discuss their outcome, call your therapy clinic and talk to a therapist and get their thoughts too. Find all your options first before taking such a huge step. Research and education is your best friend.

Did you know that several years ago a brace was designed for those with OA in the knee, while this may not be the situation, what it does is stabilizes the knee and reduces the pain. It's sort of like an ACL brace but has this weird curve in it, hard to explain, you just have to see it. I am so surprised this was never given to you since your leg is now bowed.

Have you tried Lidoderm patches? I find they work fantastic for knee pain. I suffered like you (still do but more in other regions) and my pain management specialist had me try them and was greatful I did.

Please keep us updated I'm interested in what ends up happening.

If you do go to seaworld get a wheelchair, do not attempt to do that much walking. Any big knee surgery might feel great at that point but may not be ready to do that much walking. You can call them and reserve a chair. If they don't have one see if you can rent one from a local medical supply store. I know when my ACL was done it took 6 months before I could attempt such a task. Then again different surgery and everyone heals at a different rate.

As far as going into a nursing home, if you mean post op, patients who have TKR's are sent to various facilities or stay on a special floor of the given hospital for rehabilitation. When I had my last hip replacement there was one gal there who had been there a month, She had had both knees replaced and was having complications, but point being generally major surgeries as such may require a few days or a week or so to get you functional again.

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No matter how great your illness or pain, there's always someone else who may be worse off.

sandollar

This is my second opinion, and yes, I do have OA. When he was doing the surgery he found several problems and said I qualify for a knee resurfacing and I need one really bad, The inside compartments of the knee are all grade 4, and in an attempt not to have me go through a TKR, he said this will work great for me, also, he said: "Those idiots should of never touched your knees in the first place, They actually made them worse."
I like the fact he is honest, He stopped the surgery when he knew there was nothing else he could do for me and never did the Microfracture. He just cleaned up a mess of arthritis (OA) and removed pieces of bone trapped in there.
Sandollar

katlin09

Generally this is not considerd major knee surgery, as on par with a reconstruction or replacement. The 24 hr. stay is just a precaution
for proper drainage and to make sure they have your pain under control. This way you don't have to go home with a drain and then have to come back the next day to have it removed. They will probably have you up and walking 4 hrs. or so after surgery, and you'll be on crutches for a week or so. I can't imagine that there would be any need whatsoever for you to go into a Nursing Home, not that you could get your insurance to pay for that. You'll be on pain meds of course, but probably not much stronger than the percocet that you've been taking. Ummmm...physical therapy for serveral weeks is a given, and probably a brace of some sort until your knee gets stronger. As for the SeaWorld trip, ambulation would just depend on how you are doing, PT wise at 8 weeks, you may be able to walk with frequent breaks or you may have to rent a wheelchair...that will just depend on you.

Hope this helps somewhat and good luck.

lthomas

This may be true for some people but they have been wonderful for me. I would highly recommend arthroscopy to anyone. It has always been instant relief...out patient on Friday and back to work on Monday. They bought me about 8 years before I needed TKA. I just had it on my hip and so far the results have been spectacular. My OS thinks I may be able to totally avoid hip replacement.

I have always heard the term unicompartment rather than resurfacing. It is done on people who don't normally qualify for TKA. I understand it cannot be done if you have OA in all 3 compartments.

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L.Knee: Arthroscopy: '98, '04, '06; ACLrecon: '02; TKA:'06
R.Knee: Arthroscopy: '06; TKA indicated
R Hip: Arthroscopy '08;

Gymnastics is fun at 18 but not at 40.

sandollar

I understand I do not have it in all 3 compartments yet. And my OS says this could buy me 6-10 years, putting me at just the right age for a TKR. But as long as they can do the resurfacing, it will buy me even more time!
In 3 days I find out what, when & Where. I will ask him alot of questions including Seaworld trip and the exact name of this procedure.
Sandollar

sandollar

My OS said he is going to do the knee resurfacing on December 9th. He said the actual name of it, is : ARTHROSURFACE.
He also told me to use an electric scooter at Seaworld.
Has anyone had this done?
Sandollar