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Knee Replacement Female age 41?

Posted , 7 users are following.

tracy05168
tracy05168

Is looking for some advice, all started a couple of years ago with knee pain in right knee. I used to run a fair bit no marathons the odd 10k, saw gp and got referred to specialist.  Had first arthroscopy surgery where they found a hole in the cartilage.  Then had second operation of an implant fitted.  Since then fell over into knee and badly bruised it consultant thought it was meniscus tear.  Did 3rd arthroscopy and showed a lot of wear and tear and arthritus.  Still in pain, effects my sleep and daily routine.  Last week had a cortisone injection, not felt any benefit yet, initially seemed easier but then same pain back.  Consultant has advised knee replacement would be the next step but I am young.  He said my knee is in a pretty bad way.  Not sure on the time scale and what to do regarding this. Any help would be appreciated. ;-) 

0 likes, 19 replies

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  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX tracy05168

    Posted

    Forty-one is young but not unheard of. I was in my 50's when I first started having knee issues.  Cortisone never worked but Synvisc injections were a lifesaver.  Did the three-injection regimen (days 1, 8 and 15)...the shots lasted almost a year each round.  Worked for 5-6 years.  Then I moved from the cold and humidity of New Jersey to the dryer heat of Dallas/Fort Worth.  Didn't need ANY shots for five years.  Only then did it get to where I needed to see the knee doc.  Told me that more shots would only last a few months and a TKR was inevitable.  Got it done...age 68.  So the Synvisc and move put off the op for about 15 years.  The combination worked for me.

    One suggestion is to treat your knee better.  Gotta take the pressure off that joint...so running is completely out of the question.  In fact, after a TKR is the most prohibited activity of all.  I would also look to see if a brace of siome kind can stabilize the knee until you're a little older.  From your description, I have no doubt that you will eventually get the knee replaced...the question is when.  What can you do to put it off as long as possible?  Synvisc, heat, brace....do the research...see what works for you.  Let us know...

    • tracy05168
      tracy05168 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply and information  after I had the first arthroscopy i had 1 injection of synviscone I didn’t feel as though it did anything  a few months after they fitted the implant in. As I have already had 1 of these injection my heath cover won’t pay for another one so would cost me around £600.  My consultant has advised I should get this and that the cortisone probably won’t do that much.  I think maybe I should pay for this and try again. 

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX tracy05168

      Posted

      That's a lot of money...and if you did not get any relief from the Synvisc, it may not be worth trying it again.  Tough call.  The "One" version is one shot that's supposed to last 6 months; I had the three-shot regimen that lasted almost a year each time.  You are still young enough to try the stem-cell therapies as I believe the cutoff age is around 50...at least when I looked at it years ago.  But even that has no guarantees.

      It's unfortunate that the only real solution is a TKR with a device lifespan of about 25 years...and that's if you treat it right and avoid ALL the prohibited activities.  That puts you in your mid 60's for a new knee.  That's OK...got mine at 68...two+ years ago.  I'd get a few opinions on this to see if you can find a way to put it off.  If there are no other choices, then make sure you read a lot about what to expect.  This is a very difficult surgery with a one-year recovery time.  Not many people escape that fate.  Let us know what happens.

      PS: Click on my name and then "See All Discussions"...lots of topics out there including one on pre-op expectations.  Go into this with your eyes wide open...no surprises.

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 tracy05168

    Posted

    Are you disabled and needing to use a stick for walking?

    Is your life closing in on you because of your knee?

    Do you feel you can bear things as they are?

    These are some questions to maybe think on.

    You need to be in a place where you really want a knee replacement. It's a major operation, and though a routine one, not something to do if you can manage without it.

    • tracy05168
      tracy05168 jenny80029

      Posted

      Thanks Jenny for the reply.  I still manage to move and walk, also go on the bike in the gym as per physio instructions. 
    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 tracy05168

      Posted

      All you do now will be helpful, I am sure.

      My knee replacement was very successful indeed and has transformed my life for the better. I am 53. You will know yourself when the time is right.

      ☺

  • terri21401
    terri21401 tracy05168

    Posted

    Wish I had never done replacement, but only 9 mos. old

    They say give it a year...loke day 365, it manually gets better? I don't think age should be such a factor anymore so much as quality of life and lifestyle. I was told could never run again if replaced. I'm 52.

    • tracy05168
      tracy05168 terri21401

      Posted

      Thanks Terri for the reply and comments, I don’t want to regret a decision and think it’s such a big decision to make.  As cannot be reversed. I don’t know how bad I need it to be before it gets replaced. 
  • jenny61596
    jenny61596 tracy05168

    Posted

    Well if you don’t get done  it will just get worse and your leg will start to bow , I am not sure how long they last, seems to vary , but if   your quality of life is being compromised  then you may have to Also the cortisone injections themselves I was told cause damage , and I found the first one worked , second one made it worse . Just don’t make your other knee bad because of taking all the strain or that will start playing up . If you have tried other options and no help then that’s the only solution . I haven’t heard of the injections mentioned but worth looking into.
    • tracy05168
      tracy05168 jenny61596

      Posted

      Thanks Jenny, my left knee very occasionally hurts which i guess it will do as it’s going all the work.  My initial treatment started in 2016. Feels like yesterday! 
    • jenny61596
      jenny61596 tracy05168

      Posted

      When I hurt my r knee running and tore meniscus I put off surgery  for almost 2 years , that was 7 years ago and my left knee went last year, been gradually getting worse but I know if I hadn’t waited to do first op this knee would still be okay, so just don’t leave it too long for your other knees sake 
    • tracy05168
      tracy05168 jenny61596

      Posted

      Thanks Jenny that’s a good point to raise and for me to think about. 
  • ray85827
    ray85827 tracy05168

    Posted

    I had total knee replacement 16 months ago four days after the op I got a blood clot and could not put my foot to the floor. Eventually the pain and swelling caused by the clot eased and things seemed to be going fine, Four months in and I woke in the early hours in severe pain I the knee. After every test imaginable the consultant cannot find any reason for the continued pain. In my heart I know that I am one of the many who have been unlucky to have a total failure of the knee replacement. I am now worse off than before the replacement I have more pain now and it is severe most of the time. I am nearly 73 so my advice for a 41 year old would be don't have it done at this stage of your life try to hold out live with your knee as it is for as long as you can because once you go down the route of TKR there is no turning back. Strap your knee if needs be when it is playing up and don't push it to hard during these times. My life is now ruined and I am most likely facing a second op to try and put things right or I am stuck with what I have for the rest of my life.

    Hope things go well for you but do consider things very carefully before committing to TKR there is no going back.

    Kind  regards and good luck for the future.

    • tracy05168
      tracy05168 ray85827

      Posted

      Thank you for the reply and sorry to hear about your experience, you must have been terrified.  I think yes I need to wait a few more years and take it easy.  I don’t or can’t do anymore running that’s for sure.  Only exercises the physio has told me to do. Hope you get better soon. 
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