How to discuss a knee replacement?

Posted by meylnaaudra @meylnaaudra, Feb 21, 2022

I'm 35. I want to discuss having some type of knee replacement with my surgeon. I've already had 8 surgeries on my knee. I've had a TTO with lateral release, a MACI and multiple arthroscopic procedures. Every day is a new adventure in pain. I have arthritis, my knee grinds, it pops, it's almost regularly swollen. The people at PT know me, and at my previous PT office they joked I was there for so long they were going to name that part of the building after me! It's become a yearly tradition to have knee surgery. I just want my life back. Plus the left knee is going, and I can't even start to think about that one until I've fixed the right one. How do I bring this up with my surgeon?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 22, 2022

Hello @meylnaaudra, I can really relate to what you are feeling right now. I tore the cartilage in my right knee in my early 40s and had to have surgery to remove it. Over the years since I've had multiple cortisone shots, PT and multiple doctors until I couldn't take the pain anymore and needed a knee replacement. I was looking for alternatives to a knee replacement like stem cell therapy but I was not a candidate due to my age, 75 at the time. You are wise to plan your discussion with your surgeon. There is a great website that has some tools for planning the conversion with your doctor/surgeon.

Plan Your Conversation: https://patientrevolution.org/visit-tools
Consider the Barriers: https://patientrevolution.org/barriers

What concerns you the most with trying to bring up having a knee replacment with your surgeon?

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 22, 2022

I am curious, has your current surgeon, or any other doc or PT, ever suggested you are or will be a candidate for knee replacement?
I had major knee repairs done to my knee (ACL & MCL) in my early 40's. The smartest thing I did was to seek out a surgeon with lots of experience with young(er) patients - in my case, a Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon. His emphasis was all about getting me back to my best life. I wish I had done the same when I needed my hips replaced in my early 50's.
Have you talked to any other young people who have had a joint replacement?
Sue

Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Feb 24, 2022

In reply to @sueinmn "I am curious, has your current surgeon, or any other doc or PT, ever suggested you..." + (show)

Hi Sue.....that is what I did.....chose a Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon for exactly the same reasons. I think that I was the oldest person in the PT area. I couldn't keep up with them......but it sure was motivating. My PT began the day after surgery and I now think that even though it was a bit on the heinous side, I benefitted from all the young energy floating around.
Chris

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