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Does anyone have a hinged knee replacement?

Posted by skybig @skybig, Aug 24, 2025

Does anyone have a hinged knee replacement? If so I'd like to hear about your experience. How was the surgery and recovery? How does it feel? How is it walk and climb stairs with?

I had my knee replaced 4 years ago and I've dislocated it three times. With the latest dislocation occurring last June. My doctors are telling me that a hinged knee replacement is my best solution and they scare me to death.

Anything you can tell me about will be greatly appreciated!

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louellen | @louellen | 6 days ago
In reply to @jstefandel123 "Hi, I just had a hinge knee replacement 6 weeks ago. It’s January 19, 2026. I’m..." + (show)
Profile picture for jstefandel123 @jstefandel123

Hi,
I just had a hinge knee replacement 6 weeks ago. It’s January 19, 2026. I’m in atlanta. I have Ehlers Danlos-connective tissue disease. My ligaments/tendons are worthless.
Anyway, I’ve previously had 3 acl reconstructive surgeries. All of those failed over the years.
I had so much pain in my knee, something had to be done.
The surgery was not just a hinge-I had to have an added muscle attached-and a lot of cleanup in the knee. It’s been a typical knee surgery recovery experience; it stinks!
At 6 weeks-I’m walking 2 mikes a day. I have it totally straightened and I’m at 125 flexion. It’s still quite swollen, but it needs to be broken into asap….or scar tissue will lock it.
I’m anxious to see how it continues to heal and to provide me with less pain.
I’m very athletic- I’m a century cyclist-I’m a weight lifter. I’ve had to give that fun stuff up last year. I’m praying I get to return to it all!
Have a positive outlook and it’ll be super!

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@jstefandel123 hello! I live in Ga as well and was wondering who is your Dr? I’d also like to know more about how it feels to walk with a hinged knee. I’m so happy for you that you are doing so well. Thanks for any info.

REPLY
Profile picture for skybig
skybig | @skybig | 2 days ago
In reply to @jstefandel123 "Hi, I just had a hinge knee replacement 6 weeks ago. It’s January 19, 2026. I’m..." + (show)
Profile picture for jstefandel123 @jstefandel123

Hi,
I just had a hinge knee replacement 6 weeks ago. It’s January 19, 2026. I’m in atlanta. I have Ehlers Danlos-connective tissue disease. My ligaments/tendons are worthless.
Anyway, I’ve previously had 3 acl reconstructive surgeries. All of those failed over the years.
I had so much pain in my knee, something had to be done.
The surgery was not just a hinge-I had to have an added muscle attached-and a lot of cleanup in the knee. It’s been a typical knee surgery recovery experience; it stinks!
At 6 weeks-I’m walking 2 mikes a day. I have it totally straightened and I’m at 125 flexion. It’s still quite swollen, but it needs to be broken into asap….or scar tissue will lock it.
I’m anxious to see how it continues to heal and to provide me with less pain.
I’m very athletic- I’m a century cyclist-I’m a weight lifter. I’ve had to give that fun stuff up last year. I’m praying I get to return to it all!
Have a positive outlook and it’ll be super!

Jump to this post

@jstefandel123

I too would like to know the name of your surgeon. It sounds like you are doing fairly well with your hinged knee replacement. How does it feel when you walk or bend it? Does it feel natural or is it more like a door hinge?

As for me, my knee is still the same. It's a tad painful when I walk and at times it wobbles' a bit. I'm very careful not to bend it too far, especially when laying down. Unfortunately, I had to put my knee issue on the back burner. Last summer I was having gallbladder issues and was told that I needed to have it removed. During the pre-surgical testing they discovered that I have prostate cancer. I cancelled the gallbladder surgery so I could bet the prostate biopsy done quickly. So lately, I've been going down the cancer rabbit hole. The folks at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) tell me that it was caught super early and that I have nothing to worry about, but I still do 🙁 . I have a few more procedures a head of me at MSK, once done and I'm rested, I'll pick up where I left off with my knee problem. In case you were wondering, I still have my gallbladder, it's okay, as long as watch what I eat.

Lastly I'm glad that you are on the mend!

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