Does anyone have a hinged knee replacement?

@marceille08
Hello, I was wondering if you have looked into Genicular Radio Frequency Ablation procedures. If you have a moment, google it. It may be helpful to mitigate your pain.
I've had these procedures done for the past 5 years with great success. I'm wanting to get my knees replaced and currently searching for a surgeon within the Kaiser Network that performs the "Subvastus" TKR procedure.
Good luck!
Cyndi

I've talked to the DR about genicular artery ablation which uses needles and I fear the risk of infection. The radio frequency sounds like a better alternative for me. I will start looking for someone after the New year. Sounds promising. Thanks so much.

@csalhaeuser I have a bad left knee, bone on bone, that is painful. I had knee replacement surgery in 2020 on my right knee and I could never put myself through a surgery and recovery like that again. I went to a new orthopedic dr and he suggested this “knee ablation” which is done in two outpatient visits. He said that it takes away the pain and eventually wears off but it can be done again. Cortisone shots stopped working for me a long time ago (I did have quite a few) and then I tried gel shots, but they didn’t work for me. I am wondering if this genicular ablation is something new? I’ve been reading about it on google but it is nice to hear of someone who has done it and had great success with it.

I certainly would have considered this before my knee replacement, but I don't know what it would do for me now. Yes I have pain at times, but nothing too bad until it dislocates. My real issue is that my knee dislocates so very easily and when it does the pain is unreal. My knee has dislocated three times (about once a year since it was replaced) and when it does dislocate it is crazy painful. Unfortunately I can't predict when it will happen. The first time I was playing with trains my grandson. The second time, I was in bed and had dropped something on the floor that rolled under a tad the bed. I got out of bed to retrieve it and as I reached under the bed for it, my knee dislocated. The last time I was gardening. I was kneeling on one knee (my good knee), when I got a random muscle spasm in my other leg that forced me to stand up quickly and rub my leg. Once standing, I realized that my left knee had dislocated as I stood up. So there I was standing on one leg in my garden unable to walk or move. I was laterally stranded standing there on one leg for over an hour and half before my wife noticed that I hadn't moved. I feel like a ticking time bomb. We don't got any where without bringing a set of crutches with us.

@skybig I am so sorry for your situation with your knee. I wonder if the replacement is the wrong size for you. My replaced knee isn’t great. It’s still painful going up and down the stairs. My orthopedic dr (second opinion) suggested a test, similar to a CT scan, to check that the replacement fit correctly. The test showed that everything was fine. Your knee should not keep dislocating like that. Would you seek out a second opinion? I think it might be a good idea to do that. It sounds like there is something defective in that knee. Sending you all my best wishes for a solution to this problem.

@mabfp3...Oh I've gotten a second opinion on my knee and that doctor told me that I have a flexure/extension gap issue. There is a gap between the tibia and femur that is supposed to remain constant as you flex your knee. The plastic pad is supposed to fill this gap. In my case the gap narrows so much as I bend my knee that my ligaments become very loose. So loose my knee easily dislocates. I also have a lot of flexibility and I can touch my heal to my butt on both legs and this compounds the problem. No one has told me why I have this flexure/extension gap issue, so I have to assume that my knee replacement was installed incorrectly. I'm not even remotely interested suing anyone, so please don't suggest it. All I want is for my knee to function the way it is supposed to, so that I live somewhat of a normal life. My knee is so flexible and loose that I am literally worried that I will dislocate it in my sleep.

@skybig I am very sorry that you are experiencing something like this. There must be a doctor out there somewhere who knows how to fix it for you, even if you have to travel somewhere. All of my best wishes to you for a solution.

@mabfp3 I truly appreciate your sympathy, but I honestly don't believe that there will be happy ending to my story. I'm headed on a slow steady decline that ultimately ends with my right knee being fused. Doctors are only human, so there is only so much that they can do. We all need to remember that they only have licenses that permit them to "practice" medicine and practice doesn't always yield to perfect.

@cmarie54
How is your knee now? After my mom had multiple surgeries on her knee, there surgeon recommends a hinge knee replacement. I am concerned that it would not give her the stability she needs and I am concerned how long it will last. Also, if this fails, what are other options.

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!