Tymlos and Knee Replacement

Three weeks ago I had foot surgery (big toe fusion) after being on Tymlos for 2 months. The ortho surgeon felt that Tymlos would be helpful with bone growth during the fusion healing time period. I haven’t had the opportunity to see the results of the bone healing yet. They will be following me for a couple of months to see if the bone growth at the spot of the fusion has been completed.

I understand you started Tymlos recently, and have scheduled a knee replacement. If you are not experiencing severe osteoporosis, I could see your situation. However, taking Tymlos usually means your bones are so weak they could easily snap. Having been through 20 months of daily Tymplos shots, I can empathize.

If it is possible to put off your knee replacement surgery (I get hyaluronic shots at Arthritis Knee), until you have completed your Tymlos treatments and have had a bone density test to see the improvement, that would be my suggestion. Your bones should be strong to undergo knee replacement surgery.

Good luck on your decision. Whatever that decision may be!

Sherry

@curlylocks7 "taking Tymlos usually means your bones are so weak they could easily snap"

I'm not sure why you say that. All you need for Tymlos approval is a -3.0 T-score, and that is not a "bones will snap" situation.

Also, bone density is not uniform throughout the body. When I started, my spine was -3.4 but my hips were -1.5.

Finally, I don't think anyone is going to do a DEXA on the knee to check the density. I don't even think the DEXA software does anything but measure spine, hip, and forearm if requested.

The knee shots really work. My son has been able to put off knee surgery for quite a number of years.

I am only providing you with what Wake Baptist Medical Center told me at the time. Yes, not all bones are that fragile. However, depending on whether it is a hip bone or area that is equally serious, that is when falling is dangerous. The doctor explained that a hip with a -6.2, should a fall occur, is life threatening and is considered more dangerous than a -3.4 T scroe of the spine. I was shown a model of osteoporosis bones with a lower T score and told that my bones were "paper" thin. That is why the doctor stated, should I fall on my hip, my bones could snap.

Your spine score of -3.4 is still considered serious and that is why you were prescribed Tymlos.

The first time I had an injection, I had a bad reaction. The doctor postponed my treatment for a month. The I was advised to take the shot every other day for three months. After that time, I was able to tolerate the drug for 18 months before side effects forced me to stop. It was enough time to build a lot of bone. Then I started on Prolea. Although it is not an easy journey, as my doctor said, given the alternative, it is worth taking.

I wish you the only the best results taking the Tymlos treatment.