Total knee replacement (TKR) complications with PD?

Hi @jackcol315 - sounds like you are asking good questions about the combination of a total knee replacement with Parkinson's disease. That seems wise.

A few Mayo Clinic Connect members who may know about having a total knee replacement when you have PD are @trouble4343 @gamatthews03 @jdb. @hopeful33250 @sillyblone also may have some thoughts.

jackcol315, are your doctors suggesting you go forward with a replacement now, or wait till more symptoms arise? Were they concerned about the surgery with your Parkinson's?

I have had 5 knee surgeries. The first 3 were about 15 years ago, presumaably before I had PD symptoms. The last two within the last 5 years, when I had PD symtoms, but had not ye been sent to a MDS neurologist, who did the ediagnosis. The knee surgeon recently told me he thought I might have PD, when he had observed my slow recovery the last 2 times. When I asked why he had not told me that, he had no answer.

The PD doc tells me PD makes it harder to get over anesthesia side effects, so make sure to tell the anesthesiologist you have PD. For me, fatigue has always been a big problem in my "off" times, also stiffness and it's hard to get moving.
After the most recent surgery, I would stand up and not be able to move my legs. PD !Unfortunately the hospital staff found this sometimes amusing, or thought I did not want to try hard enough, but no I really could not walk, just barely with great effort, for a few steps. This was in a specialty hospital with supposedly a good reputation, but I learned they can't handle a recovery that is out of the ordinary, and don't know what to do.
If you are on PD meds, and have a hospital stay, it helps to get everybody on the same page and make sure they will be giving you the PD meds on time, and make sure the meds you get from them don't conflict with your other meds.
PD is supposed to progress slowly but it does progress, and we all get older too. So a surgery might be something to get done sooner rather than later. As time goes on it will not get easier to recover, plus, I found out, walking with a bad knee for a long time also can put your feet and hips out of whack, resulting in more problems.

@lisalucier
Drs are suggesting my wife schefuled the surgery now. In the Canadian system there is a wait time of often more than a year for this “elective” procedure. At the time of the consultation they did not mention any concern re PD. Both the primary care Dr and orthopedic specialist recommended surgery.

Hello @jackcol315

I see the @southwest has already shared experiences of knee surgery and PD with you. Some great points and suggestions were made by @southwest. I think the comments about getting your wife's PD medications on time during her hospitalization are important. As well as movement as soon as possible. There are certain problems that PD patients can have with anesthesia. It is important that the anesthesiologist is aware of your wife's PD diagnosis and administers the anesthesia accordingly. Here is some valuable information from the Parkinson's Foundation website about PD patients and hospitalization. I would encourage you to read it and learn as much as you can.
--Hospital Safety Guide
https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/hospital-safety-guide
From what you said in your last post, it sounds as if your wife will be having knee surgery next year. Is my understanding correct?

@hopeful33250
We expect to be schefuled in about a year. As I understand the system ; patients are schefuled roughly in order of applying but also depends on prioritizing according to condition

@lisalucier
They suggested to go forward with planning immediately. I opted for bortizone shot and physio as an initial step. Cortisone has had little benefit . Do now am reconsidering. Have yet to inquire Drs view of PD related concerns .

@jackcol315
Just my opinions: I would make sure literally everybody on the team is aware of the Parkinsons, and your concerns.
Ideally they would have already cared for PD patients in the past and can give specifics on how they tailored their treatments.
As I suggested above recovery does not get faster or easier as age and PD wear on. Don't rush, but also don't postpone.
As I said that's my 2 cents.
Best!

@hopeful33250 I already had knee replacements in 2013; cancer/ AI treatment (Letrozole) has depleted my bones and it is hard to stand from sitting once again. I am slow when walking and get tired very easily 8 months after surgery.

All hood suggestions and information. Thankyou

I had both of my knees replaced. The most difficult for me was the hospital stay. Just make sure you have a good physical therapist for your recovery. It's difficult but at the end it's worth it.