Truth about Total Knee Replacements

Just now joining conversation but want to stress the importance of researching the surgeon and the kind of knee you are getting. My first surgeon only presented to me the knee that is ‘custom made to fit my leg’. After the knee was ordered, it took 6 weeks to make. It was then that I wondered if this was going to be a robotic surgery, so I inquired. My question was met with hostility from the surgeon’s staff so I backed off and all was great post-op…until I fell and landed directly on that knee three months later. Went back to surgery with same surgeon who said he just needed to clean out the wound and ‘resurface’ the patella. Could not walk after this 2nd surgery as knee kept dislocating multiple times a day - excruciating! Went back to the surgeon who took an X-ray and told me everything was OK - just needed physical therapy. The very next day the knee gave way while I was in the shower. I fell again and broke my tibia and fibula down at the ankle. The ER doc called my surgeon who said to just send me home and they would fit me in for an appointment in a couple of days. It was then that I switched surgeons. New surgeon said that type of knee was ‘totally inappropriate’ for me and would need to be replaced. He told me that he takes in a ‘whole arsenal’ of components to the OR and builds what is needed for me onsite. He said that once you ordered a custom made knee, when you went to surgery that was the knee that you were going to get - whether it works properly or not. Long story short, my ‘custom’ knee had to be completely removed and replaced with a new knee that was built onsite. Still rehabilitating 6 months later but am grateful every day for the second surgeon who gave me a true custom knee replacement!

Just now joining conversation but want to stress the importance of researching the surgeon and the kind of knee you are getting. My first surgeon only presented to me the knee that is ‘custom made to fit my leg’. After the knee was ordered, it took 6 weeks to make. It was then that I wondered if this was going to be a robotic surgery, so I inquired. My question was met with hostility from the surgeon’s staff so I backed off and all was great post-op…until I fell and landed directly on that knee three months later. Went back to surgery with same surgeon who said he just needed to clean out the wound and ‘resurface’ the patella. Could not walk after this 2nd surgery as knee kept dislocating multiple times a day - excruciating! Went back to the surgeon who took an X-ray and told me everything was OK - just needed physical therapy. The very next day the knee gave way while I was in the shower. I fell again and broke my tibia and fibula down at the ankle. The ER doc called my surgeon who said to just send me home and they would fit me in for an appointment in a couple of days. It was then that I switched surgeons. New surgeon said that type of knee was ‘totally inappropriate’ for me and would need to be replaced. He told me that he takes in a ‘whole arsenal’ of components to the OR and builds what is needed for me onsite. He said that once you ordered a custom made knee, when you went to surgery that was the knee that you were going to get - whether it works properly or not. Long story short, my ‘custom’ knee had to be completely removed and replaced with a new knee that was built onsite. Still rehabilitating 6 months later but am grateful every day for the second surgeon who gave me a true custom knee replacement!

Folks, I think it is important to take a step back. Is your knee pain significant? That is an individual question. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, and my surgeonn said afterward that he was amazed I was still doing some of the things I was doing with my old knee. No one can promise 100% results, and if a surgeon is telling you your knee will be like original equipment, that's just wrong. Will it be better than the the old knee with all the pain? Likely, but that depends on how hard you work in pre-hab, re-hab, and managing your expectations.

6 months from the surgery, and my swelling is gone (at about 5 months), I am walking 7,500 steps/day average, got to play golf for the first time (ahead of my own schedule of 9 months). I am 59 years old and in pretty good shape, which also makes a difference. If I was older, or not in good physical condition, I am certain results would vary.

No lie, the first few months are an ordeal, physically and emtionally. All of this is an individual question, but for me at least, I am not looking back.

Folks, I think it is important to take a step back. Is your knee pain significant? That is an individual question. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, and my surgeonn said afterward that he was amazed I was still doing some of the things I was doing with my old knee. No one can promise 100% results, and if a surgeon is telling you your knee will be like original equipment, that's just wrong. Will it be better than the the old knee with all the pain? Likely, but that depends on how hard you work in pre-hab, re-hab, and managing your expectations.

6 months from the surgery, and my swelling is gone (at about 5 months), I am walking 7,500 steps/day average, got to play golf for the first time (ahead of my own schedule of 9 months). I am 59 years old and in pretty good shape, which also makes a difference. If I was older, or not in good physical condition, I am certain results would vary.

No lie, the first few months are an ordeal, physically and emtionally. All of this is an individual question, but for me at least, I am not looking back.