Knee replacement

[whwiechm]

I am having a lot of pain in my knees. I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon this month, and he may recommend knee replacement. However, I am also having weakness in my legs which makes me put a lot of my weight on my walker. My question is should I get knee replacement if my leg weakness will put me in a wheelchair in a year or so.

[BettysMom]

The rehabilitation after knee replacement is grueling. If your legs are weak you won't be able to recover. I suggest you begin physical therapy to strengthen your legs and rehabilitate your knees and that you forget about knee replacement.

[bxrmom]

I would talk to the surgeon about your worries. They may want you to go to PT first and then do the surgery. My gpa's wife had knee surgery and it really helped her a lot (non ms). She did pt after and it worked out well for her. Everyone is different. Keep us updated.

[wolfmom21fl]

that's a tough one. I have a necrotic patchy area in the long bone above the knee in my right leg. The ortho wants to do a knee replacement. I refused because while there is very mild arthritis in the knee joint, it is not severe enough to begin to warrant a replacement. Plus i am only 63 and these things do not last forever. There is also a procedure which can be done to scrape out the necrosis bone and fill with a material much like filling a cavity in your tooth. the orthopedics here refuse to learn about this. At least that I have been able to find anyway. In your situation, I would definitely get your neurologist and orthopedic doc together to discuss everything. I don't see any way that a surgery of this magnitude with all of the inherent risks, i.e., blood clots etc., would be one to take on lightly with all members of your team being thoroughly involved. I would also get a second and third opinion