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!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

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 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 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!

REPLY

I have Ehlers Danlos. My ligaments/all soft tissue are genetically faulty. I’ve had 3 acl surgeries when I was younger. Now-age 62… something had to be done-my pain in my knee is unbearable.
I had a hinge knee replacement on December 5, 2025. I’m at 3 months recovery- I’m having pain recently in the mid thigh location. I’ve been not exercising…. I have full range of flexion at this time. But, it hurts when I initially stand up and put weight on it.
I did some research today- I’m thinking I may have an infection in my bone??? It’s Friday eve…. I can’t call Dr until Monday morning.
Otherwise- my hinge knee has been spectacular. Praying I don’t have an infection.

REPLY
Profile picture for jstefandel123 @jstefandel123

I have Ehlers Danlos. My ligaments/all soft tissue are genetically faulty. I’ve had 3 acl surgeries when I was younger. Now-age 62… something had to be done-my pain in my knee is unbearable.
I had a hinge knee replacement on December 5, 2025. I’m at 3 months recovery- I’m having pain recently in the mid thigh location. I’ve been not exercising…. I have full range of flexion at this time. But, it hurts when I initially stand up and put weight on it.
I did some research today- I’m thinking I may have an infection in my bone??? It’s Friday eve…. I can’t call Dr until Monday morning.
Otherwise- my hinge knee has been spectacular. Praying I don’t have an infection.

Jump to this post

@jstefandel123 : I’ve been taking JournaVX for my pain after knee replacement. My understanding is that it is somewhat new. My doc had not heard of it at first. I got the name from another friend who had knee replacement at another clinic. Anyway, JournaVX is a non opioid pain reliever, so a better option for me than Oxy.
Good luck to you. Hope this helps!
Carre

REPLY
Profile picture for cookiemom @cookiemom

I had a hinge knee revision in July 2024, after numerous dislocations with my original (2008) knee replacement. I really was not prepared for this by the doctor who performed the surgery. He said, essentially, “it won’t feel the same as the old one.”

This was quite an understatement. My knee does not hurt, but I cannot move it smoothly from overextension (it’s neutral position) to bent. When I put weight on it in the way I put weight on my right knee, it collapses. It’s taken many falls to learn the cautions I need to take to avoid falls.
I was told that rigorous PT to strengthen the surrounding muscles would solve that problem. So far it has not.

Additionally: the tibia and fibula in that same leg were badly broken in an accident many years ago. The tibia healed, stabilized with a compression plate and 6 screws. With the current odd direction of stress on the tibia, I have increasing pain in that bone, which is causing me considerable anxiety. I’m about to go for consultation with another doctor. I have already gone back to the surgeon’s PA twice. She reassured me… but I am not reassured!

Jump to this post

@cookiemom I felt vindicated after reading your post because I, also, have had a hinged knee replacement that causes my knee to buckle and collapse. My husband and everyone else, including my surgeon, have claimed I'm not doing my therapy hard enough to strengthen my muscles. I don't think I or anyone would be capable of strengthening the knee muscles enough to overcome the mechanical collapse of the prosthesis.
You state you have learned cautions in order to avoid falls but I have not been able to predict what causes my knee to collapse. It happens suddenly and without warning which makes it impossible to predict or preempt. It doesn't happen every day; sometimes it doesn't happen for two or three weeks at a time and then it catches me unawares and happens once again. A cane, which everyone insists I carry, will not prevent the collapse; it will just fly out of my hand when it happens. My leg, below the knee, also splays out as I walk.
I would appreciate any insight you can provide. Do you think all hinged knee prostheses behave in a similar manner or did I get a particular brand that is more prone to collapsing?. My surgeon isists he is not aware of anything and he says there hasn't been a recall.
Needless to say, this has dramatically affected my life and activities. I think twice before I even cross a room. It's hard to accept that there is no solution.
Thank you for any advise or insight you can provide.

Marina Villalobos

REPLY
Profile picture for musulunga @musulunga

@cookiemom I felt vindicated after reading your post because I, also, have had a hinged knee replacement that causes my knee to buckle and collapse. My husband and everyone else, including my surgeon, have claimed I'm not doing my therapy hard enough to strengthen my muscles. I don't think I or anyone would be capable of strengthening the knee muscles enough to overcome the mechanical collapse of the prosthesis.
You state you have learned cautions in order to avoid falls but I have not been able to predict what causes my knee to collapse. It happens suddenly and without warning which makes it impossible to predict or preempt. It doesn't happen every day; sometimes it doesn't happen for two or three weeks at a time and then it catches me unawares and happens once again. A cane, which everyone insists I carry, will not prevent the collapse; it will just fly out of my hand when it happens. My leg, below the knee, also splays out as I walk.
I would appreciate any insight you can provide. Do you think all hinged knee prostheses behave in a similar manner or did I get a particular brand that is more prone to collapsing?. My surgeon isists he is not aware of anything and he says there hasn't been a recall.
Needless to say, this has dramatically affected my life and activities. I think twice before I even cross a room. It's hard to accept that there is no solution.
Thank you for any advise or insight you can provide.

Marina Villalobos

Jump to this post

@musulunga
Thanks for your post.

I had my TKR 12/23 and it was never right. Chronic pain (mostly lateral side), effusion, not able to walk downstairs, basically a disaster that has adversely affected my quality of life.

The diagnosis is mid flexion instability. There is an extension/ flexion gap between the femoral and tibial implants which is causing the instability and pain.

In July 2025 I had a partial revision to replace the polyethylene insert to correc the gap which did not help.

I am having a full revision on April 28. The surgeon will try replacing the femoral component to 'fix' the gap. If this is not possible he will install a DePuy hinged implant. I am not looking forward to this procedure but I am desparate after 2.25 years.
You did not mention the hinged implant you have.

I have a surgeon I trust now and can only hope for the best.

Best to you.

REPLY
Profile picture for musulunga @musulunga

@cookiemom I felt vindicated after reading your post because I, also, have had a hinged knee replacement that causes my knee to buckle and collapse. My husband and everyone else, including my surgeon, have claimed I'm not doing my therapy hard enough to strengthen my muscles. I don't think I or anyone would be capable of strengthening the knee muscles enough to overcome the mechanical collapse of the prosthesis.
You state you have learned cautions in order to avoid falls but I have not been able to predict what causes my knee to collapse. It happens suddenly and without warning which makes it impossible to predict or preempt. It doesn't happen every day; sometimes it doesn't happen for two or three weeks at a time and then it catches me unawares and happens once again. A cane, which everyone insists I carry, will not prevent the collapse; it will just fly out of my hand when it happens. My leg, below the knee, also splays out as I walk.
I would appreciate any insight you can provide. Do you think all hinged knee prostheses behave in a similar manner or did I get a particular brand that is more prone to collapsing?. My surgeon isists he is not aware of anything and he says there hasn't been a recall.
Needless to say, this has dramatically affected my life and activities. I think twice before I even cross a room. It's hard to accept that there is no solution.
Thank you for any advise or insight you can provide.

Marina Villalobos

Jump to this post

@musulunga What happens when it collapses? Does it wobble around? Is your knee swollen? Have you gotten a second or third opinion? If not, I'd try visiting another knee replacement specialist that's associated with another hospital. Make sure that the surgeon has a lot of experience or even specializes in knee replacement revisions.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.