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~ Knee Replacement ~

Posted by Barb @amberpep, Nov 2, 2019

Hi all ..... About 6 years ago I had a knee replacement. For some reason it didn't work out and even though the doctor tried everything from extracting fluid to injecting some other material ... nothing helped. So about a year later I had a revision. That worked much better. I still have trouble with it though when I get out of a chair .... that's when I can feel the ache. Also, when it rains, my knee is a great barometer. Now the other knee is acting up and I'm dealing with it with Motrin when it's more sore .... and this is another barometer too. I've decided that if I ever have to have the other one done, which may be, I'm going back to the doctor who did the first one. He is in Frederick, MD, and I moved to Stanton, VA 4 years ago. The doctor that did the surgery is the best one in the whole area up there (Frederick is outside of D.C.), and I'm familiar with his methods. And, I loved the rehab. place where I went. So, we'll see what happens ...... I know my kids won't be happy if I go up there (my 2 girls live down here and my son is in Alexandria, VA., but it's my body.
So we'll see what happens in the future.
abby

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JK | @contentandwell | Nov 4, 2019

@amberpep If you are happy with the results then you should return to the same doctor. Do you know what type of knee he does? It helps if we are confident of our doctors I believe.

There have been many advances these days with the MAKOplasty (robotic surgery) and the Conformis knee, maybe he is doing one of those now too, they both have excellent results. My knee is a Conformis and I do personally know a couple of people who have robotic - @debbraw has had it.
Hopefully, your knee will not progress to the point of needing another TKR.

Since around six weeks I have had virtually no pain or discomfort from my Conformis knee except very minor, more like fatigue, when I overdo it. I have walked for very long distances with no problems at all though.

You are in a neck of the woods that I am familiar with -- I have stayed overnight in Frederick on our way to Fredericksburg when my daughter was in college so I am somewhat familiar with the general area there and also around DC because she worked and lived in DC/Arlington/Alexandria for a while after college.
JK

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1 reply
tahoerider1 | @tahoerider1 | Aug 12, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "@amberpep If you are happy with the results then you should return to the same doctor...." + (show)
@contentandwell

@amberpep If you are happy with the results then you should return to the same doctor. Do you know what type of knee he does? It helps if we are confident of our doctors I believe.

There have been many advances these days with the MAKOplasty (robotic surgery) and the Conformis knee, maybe he is doing one of those now too, they both have excellent results. My knee is a Conformis and I do personally know a couple of people who have robotic - @debbraw has had it.
Hopefully, your knee will not progress to the point of needing another TKR.

Since around six weeks I have had virtually no pain or discomfort from my Conformis knee except very minor, more like fatigue, when I overdo it. I have walked for very long distances with no problems at all though.

You are in a neck of the woods that I am familiar with -- I have stayed overnight in Frederick on our way to Fredericksburg when my daughter was in college so I am somewhat familiar with the general area there and also around DC because she worked and lived in DC/Arlington/Alexandria for a while after college.
JK

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Thanks for the info, I'm looking at a replacement this fall, and was considering the conformis as my first choice, how are you doing two years later, how was the recovery, were the costs more than the traditional surgery? Any more info would be greatly appreciated.

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Aug 12, 2021
In reply to @tahoerider1 "Thanks for the info, I'm looking at a replacement this fall, and was considering the conformis..." + (show)
@tahoerider1

Thanks for the info, I'm looking at a replacement this fall, and was considering the conformis as my first choice, how are you doing two years later, how was the recovery, were the costs more than the traditional surgery? Any more info would be greatly appreciated.

Jump to this post

@tahoerider1 I have been very happy with the Conformis knee. It's actually over 3 years now! My first knee was not Conformis and it tends to hurt more often than the Conformis one does. If I really exercise a lot I will have discomfort from both knees but it's not enough to stop me.

I am on Medicare and the costs were covered the same as any knee replacement. We only had to pay copays.

I probably mentioned in this original discussion that my orthopedic surgeon was one of the doctors who actually developed the Conformis knee, Dr. Wolfgang Fitz in Boston. In my opinion, he's the best. There were literally people from all over the country in his waiting room! He has a great PA or NP, I'm not sure which she is, but she is always very helpful too.
JK

REPLY
tahoerider1 | @tahoerider1 | Aug 12, 2021

Thanks so much for the info! I'm in South Lake Tahoe, CA, so the trip back east isn't really feasible, but we do have some great docs out here, and one specializes in the Conformis. I was also looking at the robot assisted surgery, but the docs that do that aren't associated with the Conformis, so I think I'll stick with the one I've chosen. Any thoughts on the robotic method. Can't wait to get back skiing, and taking a few strokes off my golf game. Thanks again for the info!
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