Knee pain/Arthritis

[Bowser1966]

I have just been told that I need a full knee replacement on my right knee. The consultant, is I am told is very experienced, said he could tell when I walked into the room. He did a quick physical examination, no MRI no Xray, then was quite negative about the surgery and said 1 in 20 people regret having it done! I asked if it could be done with an epidural, he was quite negative about that aswell and said it's more dangerous that GA!? I was thinking about all the pregnant women that have it every day. I was wondering if anyone on here had looked in to Stem cell treatment as an alternative to surgery?

[Runrig01]

I worked as a ward sister in orthopaedics for many years. We rarely did joints under GA, they were mainly done with either epidurals or nerve blocks and sedation. So he is talking nonsense, they are seen as safer, with less risks than GA, with less complications afterwards.

It seems for some reason that he’s trying to talk you out of the surgery. Probably to keep his waiting list under control.

They are tough ops to recover from, and need a lot of commitment to the therapy afterwards. We always recommend strengthening the quads prior to surgery, which makes recovery afterwards easier. Hope you can have the surgery under epidural if that’s what you want. At the end of the day, it’s the anaesthetists decision after taking your health into consideration

[johnkeithdowning in reply to Runrig01]

Just had my right knee joint replaced 10 weeks ago. Epidural with no problems, plus sedation. Came round after op and felt great. Stopped apixaban 48 hours before and restarted two days after op. Hospital anti coagulant in between. Mobility down to 20/30 yards before op. Can walk normally now, so glad I had it done. First four weeks after op was grim, you have to grit your teeth and tough it out but it gets better after this. I would run a mile from an orthopedic consultant who wasn't xraying or scanning my knee.Good luck, hope you get it sorted.

BTW my AF stayed away during all this, I take Flecainade and Apixaban

[Bowser1966 in reply to johnkeithdowning]

Thanks for your reply, what's AF?

[Runrig01 in reply to johnkeithdowning]

Completely agree, re treating without X-ray to confirm the stage of OA. Cannot understand why he wouldn’t, bizarre.

[johnkeithdowning]

Atrial fibrillation.....heart rythym problem

[Tonynatella]

my wife was also told she needs a knee. One Dr said there is a technique where they drill and fill knee fractures with a cement that hardens in 2 hours and lasts a life time. I wouldn’t have believed it if we didn’t know him so long. Additionally he said he had both knees done and is in his 70s. He said you have to search to find doctors today that do this procedure.my wife has osteopenia and fractured tibia and patella. We just saw him and are waiting for the follow up call to confirm she is a fit.

Another Dr we told about this just scoffed it off.

Will keep you posted. I can’t believe it either but we trust this Dr.

Tony

[13cats-lives]

I have had a full knee replacement several years ago. I did have several consultations prior with the excellent orthopaedic surgeon who later replaced my left knee. I was told that it is the main weight bearing joint in the body, and was advised to lose weight and stay as active as possible prior. Once I was given a date for my surgery, I had to attend a special appointment in the orthopaedic clinic where the procedure was explained fully. I had my weight, height and bloods done prior. It is a gruelling operation, and I had to have a spinal injection prior to having general anaesthetic.

After my operation, I was on the orthopaedic surgery ward for just under a week. During that time I was closely monitored by the physiotherapists, and had to show that I could walk a few steps every day before being discharged.

It transformed my life completely! I am indebted to the surgeon for his honesty and the dedication of the entire team within the orthopaedic team at my local hospital. Much depends on your general health and whether you are willing to help your own recovery. It’s not an operation that is undertaken unless absolutely necessary, and most people do benefit from the operation if this is the case.

I am happy to say that I am one of the 90 out of a hundred patients who have benefited from this procedure. Best wishes - and please ask for a second opinion if you are in any doubts about this particular surgeon.