TKR am I too young at 55?
Posted , 24 users are following.
Had surgery for torn meniscus in February this year. The consultant who performed the op said I'd am lucky could last 2 years. It's gone from bad to worse. Had Physio and cortisone along with painkillers. Am now reduced to a practical crawl as its so painful to walk. Knee so stiff, aches, clunks, totally ruining my quality of life. GP appt going to refer me back to the consultant but friends have said they won't consider a replacement until I'm at least 60? Does anyone know if this is the case? And are there any alternatives?
Thanks in advance
0 likes, 74 replies
Oldfatguy1 freestork
Posted
I guess it depends on where you are but if you scroll back though this site you will find a number of folks 50 and under that have had it done. Obviousily, it's the surgeons call but prosthesis' are lasting longer with proper care. That is to say, you may have to give up jumping out of airplanes, playing goalie and running marathons to protect the joint but you definitely can live with it.
One of the 1st lessons in joint repair is to stop taking advice from family and friends who live on hearsay. They will either have you so frightened you won't want to get out of bed in the morning OR believing you will be competing in aforementioned marathons in 4 to 6 weeks, which is equally absurd. Talk to a qualified orthopaedic surgeon and get the most qualified opinion as possible for YOUR situation. Knee problems are as different as fingerprints. Good luck. Sounds like you definitely need help.
dee53186 freestork
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I had mine about 7 weeks ago at age 53. I've never heard it being about your age, but rather the degree of damage to the knee and the patient's ability to function. You need to listen to your body and your orthopedic surgeon needs to listen to you. I am already glad I did it. Yes it was painful, but I know that this pain will continue to heal and subside. The pain I was having prior to surgery (for many years) would never have gone away with any other course of action. Good luck and feel better soon!
bobsled freestork
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Hi I'm 56 just had TKR look into Smith&Nephew custom knee. They take multiple measurements via MRI and x-ray. My surgeon was loves the way it fits lot less fitting. Joint is supposed to be good for 30 years. Good luck, it is a painful operation but once done should be ok.
Er79in freestork
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I'm 37 and just has my right knee replaced. I was bone on bone and struggled to walk for years. My surgeon said age ultimately doesn't matter in the end. Good luck!
Waffalobill freestork
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lynn15111 freestork
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Waffalobill freestork
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lailoni60871 freestork
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Thank god this wonderful orthopedic surgeon agreed to do a TKR. That was 6 weeks ago and taking longer to recover because of this diagnosis but on the road to recovery.
I hope this helps, get a second opinion now.
Keep us posted.
Waffalobill lailoni60871
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lailoni60871 Waffalobill
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CHICO_MARX freestork
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You're not too young at 55. I've seen rare cases of 35-year olds.
I had four scopes (two on each knee) for both meniscuc and femoral condyle problems. What got me through a decade was Synvisc. Think "synthetic viscosity"...oil for your knees. The regular Synvisc is three shots (days 1, 8 and 15)...lasts up to a year...mine lasted 10-11 months before another set of shots. Takes a few weeks to work itself in there but the relief is very noticeable. The new SynviscOne is a single shot that lasts up to six months.
Before I'd go the TKR route (the "final" and "nuclear" option), I'd try Synvisc. Works great for a lot of people...maybe you too...
Oldfatguy1 CHICO_MARX
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The one big concern with getting it (synvisc) is the Dr's being able to convince the insurance companies it will actually work. Its very expensive and insurance companies want a high rate of guarantee they are going to get some bang for their buck. Otherwise, you could be out several thousand USD. I'm not sure how that works in the UK and other countries with socialized medicine. Over the past couple of years, I've seen a variety of answers even from the same general areas. Again in the US and of course this wouldn't be the case here, Medicare is really a battle to get approval. I was flat turned down as no possible way it would give me relief.....and that from a teaching med center. Whatever you can do, its worth the effort, up to a point of being completely unreasonable.
CHICO_MARX Oldfatguy1
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Never thought of that...mine was always covered...and that was almost 15 years ago.
Here's an article comparing SynVisc with other alternatives. Certainly worth a look...
http://iytmed.com/alternative-synvisc-injection/
Then again...there's always a horse needle and some 10W-40...
lynn15111 Oldfatguy1
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Synvisc may be just over $1000 here but I am prepared to pay out of pocket for it because it lasted 12 months. It is well worth $100/month to me since insurance won't cover it. Their theory is that you should just get the TKR and not use these half steps. But I need to buy time to get the first TKR completely healed first, before getting a second.
CHICO_MARX lynn15111
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I used Synvisc for a lot of years then moved from New Jersey to Texas...much warmer climate. Didn't need any Synvisc down here for over six years. Went to the doc this January who told me I could restart the Synvisc but that would only delay the inevitable. I decided on the TKR because, at 68, I felt strong enough to do the recovery.
Yes, Synvisc is a temporary fix but it can relieve a lot of pain for up to a year at a time and can put off a TKR for a while. All comes down to personal choice...yeah, and insurance. Just remember...TKR is the option of last resort.
lynn15111 CHICO_MARX
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I'm betting you didn't need the synvisc in TX for so many more years because of the warmer climate. I had noticed for several late fall seasons my inner knee hurting but it usually had adjusted after 2 weeks of cold weather. It has been a signal now in my other knee as to how much time I have before getting the second TKR.
CHICO_MARX lynn15111
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Jersey was killer...especially with two bad knees and a hip replacement. Cold winters, really humid summers. Down here, it's 100-degrees but low himudity. After all those years in Brooklyn and then Joisey, I love the warmer climate. Can't imagine moving back north.
lynn15111 CHICO_MARX
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We still have real winters where I'm at. (Montana) Maybe we'll be lucky enough to find a warmer climate.
Oldfatguy1 lynn15111
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Its the barometer changes that are killers to me. Just thinking of summer turning to fallmakes me shudder. I'm feeling it Today as we have a huge system change coming in over the weekend. Its been in the high 80's /low 90's all weekend then a high of 65 with rain Sunday. That sends the joints screaming with pain.
lynn15111 Oldfatguy1
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Waffalobill Oldfatguy1
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Oldfatguy1 lynn15111
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Sounds good....but....I have no timevforvthat I'm afraid. My wife has advanced Parkinson's disease and I'm the caregiver. Recently she took a Parkinson's type fall and broke a hip requiring partial hip replacement. Also hit her head in the fall and not recovering well from the mental side. Hip healing fine. Brain not so good. Much depression and anxiety which is worsening.I'm still trying to recover from a strange semi fall when my leg failed to work and twisted my hip and back. I could use a lot of hot tub therapy but lucky to get a warm shower.
Waffalobill CHICO_MARX
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philguud CHICO_MARX
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Is there a pill form that one can take? I don't like horse needles.
Waffalobill philguud
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Of the synvisc? No. It's a direct injection into the joint. It's like a lube job. They use a freeze spray. It's not to bad. I've had over 60 shots done on me. Kinda used to it.