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Just Had Total Knee Replacement at 51. What to expect in future?

Posted by ssbionicknee @ssbionicknee, Jul 1, 2018

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2009, I went to therapy for several months and was ok until February 2018. I went to see if I could get the orthovisc shot because I did not want a Total Knee replacement. They tried to get insurance approval for 2 months and at the end of April, my knee locked up and I could tell it was done. I went to see the surgeon on May 2 and was scheduled for surgery 12 days later. I had waited too long and was bone on bone. My right knee was severe and was replaced. My left knee is moderate and we are trying to get the Orthovisc shot so I can hold off as long as possible before having it replaced. I was wondering about how much time the Orthovisc shot would buy me. I am also wondering if Knee replacement patients often have trouble with their hips. I hope not to have them replaced as well. This surgery seems to be taking longer to heal than I expected. I always bounce back rather quickly, but the recovery for this has been intense.

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beatricefay | @beatricefay | Jul 2, 2018

Recovery from a TKR is slow so just have patience. Are you getting PT? I tried Ortovisc which helped for a while, but it was only a temporary fix. I don't know why your hips would be affected by the TKR. Is osteoarthritis also affecting your hip joints? I've had two hips and two knees done and feel fortunate that they have been successful. Good luck with your progress.

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akervik1 | @akervik1 | Jul 2, 2018

I just had my third shot in three years and too am hoping to hold off as long as I can. I was advised to get a knee replacement from my ortho in Duluth in 2015 and have been able to hold off with the aid of these shots. I've had three different insurance companies during this time and the first two did not pay for the shots. I will have to wait and see if this one will as I just had the shot a week ago. Good luck with your recovery.

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ssbionicknee | @ssbionicknee | Jul 3, 2018
In reply to @beatricefay "Recovery from a TKR is slow so just have patience. Are you getting PT? I tried..." + (show)
@beatricefay

Recovery from a TKR is slow so just have patience. Are you getting PT? I tried Ortovisc which helped for a while, but it was only a temporary fix. I don't know why your hips would be affected by the TKR. Is osteoarthritis also affecting your hip joints? I've had two hips and two knees done and feel fortunate that they have been successful. Good luck with your progress.

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Thank you. I agree it is a slow recovery with ups and downs. I am in PT and am hoping to do some aqua therapy. However, I had a suture pop last week and they removed it. It is a tiny place where the skin opened and I have to wait for it to heal. I have been told by a lot of people that they are glad they had the surgery and they would do it all over again. Once I am up and going, I am sure I will say the same thing. I am not quite there yet. 🙂

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ssbionicknee | @ssbionicknee | Jul 3, 2018
In reply to @akervik1 "I just had my third shot in three years and too am hoping to hold off..." + (show)
@akervik1

I just had my third shot in three years and too am hoping to hold off as long as I can. I was advised to get a knee replacement from my ortho in Duluth in 2015 and have been able to hold off with the aid of these shots. I've had three different insurance companies during this time and the first two did not pay for the shots. I will have to wait and see if this one will as I just had the shot a week ago. Good luck with your recovery.

Jump to this post

I am hoping that the shot will buy me a few years as well. I am waiting to hear from insurance about my left knee. Thank you!!

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