knee surgery

[kentish61]

I’ve been put in the waiting list to have a total knee replacement and the waiting list is approx 6 months. I’m on 17.5 mgs of pred. The surgeon has said my healing might be slow because of the pred. Had anyone else had a knee replacement while on a higher dose of pred? I’m a little worried about having the surgery.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Quite a few, and now you have posted you can see related posts. ..

Most are usually on a bit lower dose of Pred, but you have a few months, and if your surgeon hasn’t made comments about dose, he’s obviously happy to proceed.

Also have look at this - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

[kentish61 in reply to DorsetLady]

many thanks for your reply. I will have a read.

[kentish61 in reply to kentish61]

my surgeon did mention my dosage and does want me to try to get onto a lower dosage before surgery

[piglette]

If your surgeon is happy that should be fine. Some are paranoid about steroids and want us all on zero, but others, usually the more experienced ones, are a lot more tolerant!

[kentish61 in reply to piglette]

The surgeon said it should be ok. Will be given lots of antibiotics to make sure no infection sets in.

[suzy1959]

I have had 4 joint replacements whilst on steroids ( around 11mgs) and my healing has not been a problem at all. I believe I healed at the normal rate every time.

[kentish61 in reply to suzy1959]

Thank you for your reply. You have out my mind more at ease now.

[Bcol]

Hi Kentish61. Not had any replacements whilst on Pred but just wanted to wish you well with the replacement, had mine for over twenty years and it's been/is brilliant.

[kentish61 in reply to Bcol]

that’s reassuring thank you.

[Heather270240]

Hi Kentish61. I have just had surgery on both my knees as I fell 6 weeks ago and ruptured both tendons. I am on 20mg and have had no problems in healing. You should have a high dose of antibiotics during surgery which should help the healing process.

[kentish61 in reply to Heather270240]

Thank you for your reply. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Summerrental]

I had knee surgery while on 10 mg. of Prednisone. I did not have any issues with healing. A friend of mine had surgery at the same time who was not on Pred. & we healed at the same rate. Surgeon had warned me that there might be issues with healing, fortunately there weren't any. It will be a year on Mar. 28, since the surgery, best thing I ever had done.

[kentish61]

That’s very reassuring thank you.

[artfingers]

I had right TKR at Thanksgiving (Nov 2022) and right TKR 4 weeks ago, first at 10mg pred, second on 8 mg pred. No issues healing, healed normally and not on any antibiotics except for liquid form for the one day I was in the hospital. I'm taking low dose aspirin twice a day to ward off blood clots. Even physical therapy hasn't been an issue really which I have done continually twice a week since last November (and now 3 x a week). P.T. has really helped in my recovery and my muscles have responded well to it (no heavy weights instead lighter weights and taking it easy and slow and steady). Oh, they will most likely do a one time "flooding" high dose of pred when you get your anesthesia for the surgery. Good luck. And do the pre-surgery exercises if you can, it really makes a difference.

[kentish61 in reply to artfingers]

many thanks for your reply.

[jls93]

I have had total hip and revision, partial and total shoulder replacements.. only 1 surgeon (2009) was adamant and my pcp intervened on my behalf. Lower is better but I wouldn't stress.. The only issue not seen in the replies is a something called dehissence which is related to healing.. personally I have not had an issue with 8 orthopedic surgeries and as a clinician ( 30 yrs)only saw it once with a patient who was medically complex and situation was managed well.

[kentish61 in reply to jls93]

thank you for your reply. This site is a god send.