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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@lioness

@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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Thank you for this helpful information!

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I am at day 17, and even a few days make a big difference. Not being a back sleeper, I have differrent problems at night (yes, I have pain, and have yet to sleep more than 3 hours at a stretch), but I suspect that the tingling in the good leg is caused by pressure on that sciatic nerve. I was told in the hospital not to use a pillow cross-wise when on my back, but use it lengthwise under the leg to cradle it. Perhaps you could try to put a very small and low pillow crosswise under your good leg to balance your hip angles. Can’t hurt to try! Otherwise, try looking toward the future (and remember how bad it was that made you go for this surgery). I try to do that when I get discouraged.

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If I could go back 6 years and refuse my 1st left TKR I would. I ended up fracturing the 1st 3 prosthesis'. I was told the 1st 2 were due to me being allergic to bone cement. Never have been able to find out why #3 failed. But it also fractured. I had a fractured tibia when all this started and a delay in a proper diagnosis caused me to hobble around on the fracture which destroyed the cartilage. I am told each of the 3 new joints were 'top of the line' and they shouldn't have broken. Now, after 3 new knee joints and 4 operations (incl 1 antibiotic spacer) ended up with the bone ends being "trimmed" and now my left leg is about 3" shorter than my right. I was told by my surgeons (4 over the 3 new knees) and each said this was a operation performed thousands of times/year. I believe I used the top of the local surgeons around here and do not doubt their experience and qualifications. But something isn't right! I hope no one else has to go through what I have. As far as knowing when it's time, the docs all said the patient knows when it's time and the meds and procedures no longer give relief. Good luck!

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@lturn9

If I could go back 6 years and refuse my 1st left TKR I would. I ended up fracturing the 1st 3 prosthesis'. I was told the 1st 2 were due to me being allergic to bone cement. Never have been able to find out why #3 failed. But it also fractured. I had a fractured tibia when all this started and a delay in a proper diagnosis caused me to hobble around on the fracture which destroyed the cartilage. I am told each of the 3 new joints were 'top of the line' and they shouldn't have broken. Now, after 3 new knee joints and 4 operations (incl 1 antibiotic spacer) ended up with the bone ends being "trimmed" and now my left leg is about 3" shorter than my right. I was told by my surgeons (4 over the 3 new knees) and each said this was a operation performed thousands of times/year. I believe I used the top of the local surgeons around here and do not doubt their experience and qualifications. But something isn't right! I hope no one else has to go through what I have. As far as knowing when it's time, the docs all said the patient knows when it's time and the meds and procedures no longer give relief. Good luck!

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@iturn9. What metal was the prosthesis made of ?Ive heard alot of TKR people have had a cobalt prostheses I would suggest finding this out before you have anymore done When I was in O.R. the Dr used titanium knee replacement .

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@lturn9

If I could go back 6 years and refuse my 1st left TKR I would. I ended up fracturing the 1st 3 prosthesis'. I was told the 1st 2 were due to me being allergic to bone cement. Never have been able to find out why #3 failed. But it also fractured. I had a fractured tibia when all this started and a delay in a proper diagnosis caused me to hobble around on the fracture which destroyed the cartilage. I am told each of the 3 new joints were 'top of the line' and they shouldn't have broken. Now, after 3 new knee joints and 4 operations (incl 1 antibiotic spacer) ended up with the bone ends being "trimmed" and now my left leg is about 3" shorter than my right. I was told by my surgeons (4 over the 3 new knees) and each said this was a operation performed thousands of times/year. I believe I used the top of the local surgeons around here and do not doubt their experience and qualifications. But something isn't right! I hope no one else has to go through what I have. As far as knowing when it's time, the docs all said the patient knows when it's time and the meds and procedures no longer give relief. Good luck!

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Like you I have allergies to adhesives, cements and this has been a concern for me for when I need knee replacement.Just plain liquid bandage makes me blister up, even regular bandages. I am surprised the mesh put in for prolapsed bladder almost 3 years ago has caused no reaction. The surgeon told me the 'new mesh" did not cause reactions, but because of my fiber allergies I was concerned.

I am sure your bones have been tested, but do you have osteoporosis and weak bones so the knee replacement can't heal up with the bones. Many times it is not just one issue that leads to the calamity you are now dealing with.

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@ellerbracke

I am at day 17, and even a few days make a big difference. Not being a back sleeper, I have differrent problems at night (yes, I have pain, and have yet to sleep more than 3 hours at a stretch), but I suspect that the tingling in the good leg is caused by pressure on that sciatic nerve. I was told in the hospital not to use a pillow cross-wise when on my back, but use it lengthwise under the leg to cradle it. Perhaps you could try to put a very small and low pillow crosswise under your good leg to balance your hip angles. Can’t hurt to try! Otherwise, try looking toward the future (and remember how bad it was that made you go for this surgery). I try to do that when I get discouraged.

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@ellerbracke I also have sciatica from my fracture ,pain in lower back Im getting a adjustable bed ,when demonstrated with legs,head elevated some the release was to instant I could feel it let go no pain The bed is coming Thrusday

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So happy about the hope you have for getting relief with your new bed.

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