When is the right time to decide for a knee replacement?

I would absolutely get it done to improve your quality of life. Why would you wait as at your age you never know what lies ahead and if you have any aging issues other than your knee you’ll be weaker to recover esp if you’re a point that you can’t wait to get the knee done. I just had mine done in June, back to work as a Crna in the OR at 7 weeks. PT once a week still but about to be released. My motion and all is great. I’ve just had to strengthen my quads and get dry needled for some IT band tightness which is all normal. I’m only 53. My other knee is now hurting and worsening. I will not wait. Assuming it will get worse I’m planning to do it this time next year maybe. Depending on new XRAY and going to my surgeon in next couple of weeks to see where it is compared to last year. My point is if your knee causes significant limitations in your life, if you have to plan your day according to what you can handle and tolerate, DONT WAIT. Get it done.

Also, it’s important to reasearch your surgeon. I work in an ortho OR. I am very knowledgeable on what to look for in a good surgeon.
Look for a surgeon who:
-is not old. Has been in practice about 10-15 years. There is lots of technology coming out and “old school” surgeons may have good reps but they practice old school.
-I suggest someone who primarily does joint replacements only. Knees, hips, shoulders. That’s it.
-I recommend someone who also primarily uses the MAKO robot or any robotic system.
-I would ask what their avg time is for putting implant in and tourniquet time if they use one. It should be less than 45 min.
-ask how many they do a year. It should be at least 400 knees or what ever body part.
-ask about infection rate
-rehab- you should be up and walking with assistance the day of surgery. Especially if you’re going g home the day of surgery.
-you basically want someone who has a niche and does just joint replacents only. That makes them an expert.

Hope all this helps.
I was up the day of surgery and went home day of. Sometimes older folks and folks with other health issues stay. PT started next day. I went back to an on my feet job at 7 weeks. Not same for everyone. Also you want an adductor canal block for post op pain.

Good luck.

Hi ddsack,
I had a second opinion appointment because my recovery from TKR has been so difficult. He surmised from his fairly brief analysis that I had a damaged pcl ligament and weak quad muscles. He wanted me to spend the next four months focusing on strengthening my quad muscles. Which I do primarily in the gym but saturday night in my house just normally taking a step my right knee collapsed on me. I have scheduled an x-ray but when I see my surgeon doctor should I insist on another machine because the x-ray always comes back fine?

I would absolutely get it done to improve your quality of life. Why would you wait as at your age you never know what lies ahead and if you have any aging issues other than your knee you’ll be weaker to recover esp if you’re a point that you can’t wait to get the knee done. I just had mine done in June, back to work as a Crna in the OR at 7 weeks. PT once a week still but about to be released. My motion and all is great. I’ve just had to strengthen my quads and get dry needled for some IT band tightness which is all normal. I’m only 53. My other knee is now hurting and worsening. I will not wait. Assuming it will get worse I’m planning to do it this time next year maybe. Depending on new XRAY and going to my surgeon in next couple of weeks to see where it is compared to last year. My point is if your knee causes significant limitations in your life, if you have to plan your day according to what you can handle and tolerate, DONT WAIT. Get it done.

Also, it’s important to reasearch your surgeon. I work in an ortho OR. I am very knowledgeable on what to look for in a good surgeon.
Look for a surgeon who:
-is not old. Has been in practice about 10-15 years. There is lots of technology coming out and “old school” surgeons may have good reps but they practice old school.
-I suggest someone who primarily does joint replacements only. Knees, hips, shoulders. That’s it.
-I recommend someone who also primarily uses the MAKO robot or any robotic system.
-I would ask what their avg time is for putting implant in and tourniquet time if they use one. It should be less than 45 min.
-ask how many they do a year. It should be at least 400 knees or what ever body part.
-ask about infection rate
-rehab- you should be up and walking with assistance the day of surgery. Especially if you’re going g home the day of surgery.
-you basically want someone who has a niche and does just joint replacents only. That makes them an expert.

Hope all this helps.
I was up the day of surgery and went home day of. Sometimes older folks and folks with other health issues stay. PT started next day. I went back to an on my feet job at 7 weeks. Not same for everyone. Also you want an adductor canal block for post op pain.

Good luck.

Thank you for sharing your experience and insight. It’s primarily an age and quality of life issue for me. I’m 72 years old and love to travel. I’m limited to the type of road, pathways, no beach walk and amount of time I could walk. Recently we were on a couple of family trips , I had to sit out some of the activities. I still want to do more traveling. So , thank you for detailing your story. I’m glad you are living your best life. Many thanks on the list of questions to ask of the surgeon. Best wishes.

I’m curious to know if you got the surgery and how it, & recovery went. My situation was similar to yours: 1st surgeon visit he said not yet, waited over a year and went back and he said OK. I was the same age as you the 1st time I saw him, and wanted surgery for the same reasons. I had TKR 2 months ago and have been told (by PT, RN, PA) my recovery is atypical in a good way. As someone said, everyone is different, But I’m hopeful about having hip surgery at some point.

Incredible that you remembered my conversation with this forum, so many kind and encouraging people.
Yes, I did get the tkr 3 months ago. As you know , it’s a hard surgery. Like you, I’m doing great. My PT dismissed me after 6 sessions. I can climb and go down the stairs. I was in good shape before the surgery, continue to do hip, glutes and quad exercises at the gym with weights and machine. Everyday I do the recumbent bicycle and epiliptical machine . Ian taking good care of the other knee too.