1. < Joint Replacements

What’s the criteria for getting a knee replaced?

Posted by Tttttt @ecook, Sep 7, 2018

I’ve been suffering with knee pain for over 5 years yet get the run around with doctors wanting me to get cortisone shots or pay for synvisc shots. I’ve done both of these with cortisone 4 times now. I’m only 60 and think that’s the real reason they won’t do it. Any insight would be welcome.

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evw100 | @ew100 | Sep 8, 2018

I think if your X-ray or MRI shows bone-on-bone, then TKR will be done! My daughter-in-law is only in her 50, she had both knees totally replaced because of bone-on-bone. I am 78 with knee pain but the doctor only recommend PT, Cortisone shots and Advil. He said my knee only shows narrow gap but not bone-on-bone. Also, he won't do TKR if I was 85 or over even with bone-on-bone condition!!! Don't know if this is because Medicare policy or only his own policy!

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1 reply
Tttttt | @ecook | Sep 8, 2018
In reply to @ew100 "I think if your X-ray or MRI shows bone-on-bone, then TKR will be done! My daughter-in-law..." + (show)
@ew100

I think if your X-ray or MRI shows bone-on-bone, then TKR will be done! My daughter-in-law is only in her 50, she had both knees totally replaced because of bone-on-bone. I am 78 with knee pain but the doctor only recommend PT, Cortisone shots and Advil. He said my knee only shows narrow gap but not bone-on-bone. Also, he won't do TKR if I was 85 or over even with bone-on-bone condition!!! Don't know if this is because Medicare policy or only his own policy!

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Thanks that’s very helpful. I’ll get an mri done and see what it says.

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Tttttt | @ecook | Sep 8, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @ecook, I don't blame for being frustrated. I am too. I hate not being able..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @ecook, I don't blame for being frustrated. I am too. I hate not being able to do simple tasks that require kneeling down and having to get up from sitting slowly before taking a step to make sure the knee is OK. If I had the money I would try the stem cell therapy although the ortho doctor I talked with didn't think it would help much if you have bone on bone - didn't think it could grow any new cartilage for the joint. Probably my biggest fear is not being able to get the knee replacement until I'm even older than I am now and that will make rehab even more painful. I just take it one day at a time and try to keep moving the best I can.

John

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Thanks John. I excerise religiously but it is still difficult getting around most times.

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Rob | @robseverson | Sep 8, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi Rob @robseverson, I've thought about stem cell treatment for my right knee but insurance doesn't..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi Rob @robseverson, I've thought about stem cell treatment for my right knee but insurance doesn't cover it so it's all out of pocket cost. There is currently another discussion on Connect about stem cell treatment for the knee that you might want to read through and talk with others who are thinking about getting it done.

Groups > Bones, Joints & Muscles > Cost of stem cell therapy at Mayo
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cost-of-stem-cell-therapy-at-mayo/

John

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Thanks I'm looking into it

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vvfleisch | @vvfleisch | Sep 29, 2018

I've had knee pain for four years, receiving Ortho Visc injections and/or cortisone shots and when I realized these weren't giving me the relief I needed, I had surgery, 12 days ago. These initial days have been basically rough on me but like so many other people, I do not even look forward to going to bed at night because I'm restless much of the night. I have looked for videos of the best sleeping positions after TKR and feel like I'm not seeing what I'm looking for. I'm sleeping on my back but can't find 'that comfort spot' for my knee. I put my leg on a pillow and then my other leg almost feels a tingling sensation. I hate sleep at night.........I'm icing my knee as I type now but know I need to return to an uncomfortable sleeping position. I almost look forward to daylight so this restless sleeping cycle ends.

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1 reply
ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Sep 29, 2018

I had TKR 16 days ago. Age 69. Not sure if one would call it elective.... arthroscopic surgery on same knee 12 months ago for torn Meniscus, torn cartilege, and arthritis on Tibia and Patella did not result in long-term relief. In spite of consistent rehab exercises for months, Supartz injections, and Cortisone. Aleve -daily- would help to some extent, but by afternoon knee would be hot, painful, and swollen. Not a fan of lifelong pain meds. (kidney, liver....) Anyway: I was able to do pretty much all I had to do — with considerable pain - , but none of the things I like to do (tennis, hiking....). So rather than wait and prostphone the inevitable, I went ahead with TKR. Turned out that Arthritis had worsened a lot, and several bone spurs had developed, so pain would only have gotten worse. I figure I’m getting more benefit out of being active at 69 and potentially have to slow down at 85, than miss out on good things now by worrying about potential revision 15 years from now.

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1 reply
ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Sep 29, 2018

PS. Forgot to mention that the pain in the right knee started to affect my movement, so my Sciatica started to re-develop, also right hip pain and left ankle pain. I was concerned that by waiting on the knee I would end up with other joints “out of joint”!

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 29, 2018
In reply to @vvfleisch "I've had knee pain for four years, receiving Ortho Visc injections and/or cortisone shots and when..." + (show)
@vvfleisch

I've had knee pain for four years, receiving Ortho Visc injections and/or cortisone shots and when I realized these weren't giving me the relief I needed, I had surgery, 12 days ago. These initial days have been basically rough on me but like so many other people, I do not even look forward to going to bed at night because I'm restless much of the night. I have looked for videos of the best sleeping positions after TKR and feel like I'm not seeing what I'm looking for. I'm sleeping on my back but can't find 'that comfort spot' for my knee. I put my leg on a pillow and then my other leg almost feels a tingling sensation. I hate sleep at night.........I'm icing my knee as I type now but know I need to return to an uncomfortable sleeping position. I almost look forward to daylight so this restless sleeping cycle ends.

Jump to this post

Hello @vvfleisch, welcome to Connect. I have not had a TKR yet but do share the knee pain and difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position at night. I ran across a YouTube video that may be helpful.

Best Position to Sleep After a Total Knee Replacement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtDjQps7qDg

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Sep 29, 2018
In reply to @ellerbracke "I had TKR 16 days ago. Age 69. Not sure if one would call it elective......." + (show)
@ellerbracke

I had TKR 16 days ago. Age 69. Not sure if one would call it elective.... arthroscopic surgery on same knee 12 months ago for torn Meniscus, torn cartilege, and arthritis on Tibia and Patella did not result in long-term relief. In spite of consistent rehab exercises for months, Supartz injections, and Cortisone. Aleve -daily- would help to some extent, but by afternoon knee would be hot, painful, and swollen. Not a fan of lifelong pain meds. (kidney, liver....) Anyway: I was able to do pretty much all I had to do — with considerable pain - , but none of the things I like to do (tennis, hiking....). So rather than wait and prostphone the inevitable, I went ahead with TKR. Turned out that Arthritis had worsened a lot, and several bone spurs had developed, so pain would only have gotten worse. I figure I’m getting more benefit out of being active at 69 and potentially have to slow down at 85, than miss out on good things now by worrying about potential revision 15 years from now.

Jump to this post

@ellerbracke sorry for your pain I live with pain from back fracture and other problems one thing I found helps is drinking ginger-Tumeric tea research has shown Tumeric is anti inflammatory response for the pain we have When your knee is as you said swollen,hot drink the tea You can only buy it at Trader Joe's Several people have told me drinking it before bedtime gives them a restfull quality of sleep This goes for everyone who has pain .I also do a 500 mg capsule daily.

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1 reply
vvfleisch | @vvfleisch | Sep 29, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @vvfleisch, welcome to Connect. I have not had a TKR yet but do share the..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @vvfleisch, welcome to Connect. I have not had a TKR yet but do share the knee pain and difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position at night. I ran across a YouTube video that may be helpful.

Best Position to Sleep After a Total Knee Replacement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtDjQps7qDg

Jump to this post

Thank you!

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