knee replacement question

[coldfeet]

Also posted on another site...thx

Hi guys, somehow I have developed OA in my knees over the last 5-6 years....of course it had to happen after spending a ton of $ on hiking/camping but that's ok, I met a load of great people....I'm going to get 3 synvisc injections over 3 weeks into my knee to reduce the bone on bone rubbing....it's only a matter of time when I will need a partial replacement or a total replacement...being only 46 my OS wants to prolong a replacement but I want to get back my quality of life....(I do like kayaking, but I want to go higher)....

question....I know a few folks on this site have had replacements....I would like to hear some of your opinions ...such as...

how long did you wait to return back to hiking 4k's?
Will hiking reduce the lifetime of the replacement?...Heard the average replacement is 12-15 years...thx...

 

[Paradox]

Sorry to hear about your condition. I do not know much about replacements, but for some inspiration read up on the career of Bo Jackson on the internet.

 

[Shardik]

Also posted on another site...thx

Hi guys, somehow I have developed OA in my knees over the last 5-6 years....of course it had to happen after spending a ton of $ on hiking/camping but that's ok, I met a load of great people....I'm going to get 3 synvisc injections over 3 weeks into my knee to reduce the bone on bone rubbing....it's only a matter of time when I will need a partial replacement or a total replacement...being only 46 my OS wants to prolong a replacement but I want to get back my quality of life....(I do like kayaking, but I want to go higher)....

question....I know a few folks on this site have had replacements....I would like to hear some of your opinions ...such as...

how long did you wait to return back to hiking 4k's?
Will hiking reduce the lifetime of the replacement?...Heard the average replacement is 12-15 years...thx...

Welcome to the club , coldfeet.
I'm 52 with OA.
Just a few months prior to the discovery,Oct last year , I managed a partial GR 20 In Corsica.
Everybody gets OA just like DDD (Degenerative disc discease)...sooner or later.
Physiotherapy, swimming and glucosamine worked for me. By the time I was ready for the sync injection...I didn't need it...I managed to get out my MSR's for Mont Tremblant here (Que.) and this summer I managed Algonquin.
I have the "ouch" factor now..a bit...and am just biking ....until it subsides...maybe I have to start the glucosamine again...I usually only remember to take it , if I'm in pain.
I would recommend that you stay away from the surgery ...unless you really have to.They usually do it after age 60.
As a hiker, your knees are more fit than others.Give it some time and you may be surprised.
Best regards,

Dave

 

[audrey]

Sorry to hear that, David. I know you've already tried other options, and this may be what finally works. The synthetic joint fluid injections have worked very well for some. What does your doctor say about continuing hiking afterwards?

They're doing replacements on younger people because replacing the replacement is now more feasible than it once was.

Keep in mind that doctors' viewpoints vary as to the amount of activity you can do. After Pat's hip replacement, his PCP told him there'd be no more telemarking, but his orthopedic surgeon said, sure, go for it - just no moguls, jogging, or basketball. Who did we listen to?

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Have you read this: http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18392

If not, take a glance at it, and check out Dan O'Neill at the NH Knee Center in Ashland. His focus is on getting athletes (recreational as well as elite) back to performance levels.

Tim

 

[DougPaul]

David,

You might find http://www.wheelessonline.com to be helpful. (It is having some problems right now or I would try to give you a more specific URL.) It is an online orthopaedic surgery textbook and should have all sorts of info on total knee replacements, including info on outcomes.

I found it very useful for understanding the surgeries on my broken leg.

Doug

 

[peakn]

maybe I have to start the glucosamine again...I usually only remember to take it , if I'm in pain.
Dave

I think Glucosamine works best if taken consistently as opposed to expecting a "cure" as with a drug.

I'm closing in on 71 and hike with pretty consistent knee pain even through 1800 mg a day of Ibu and Glucosamine. I find I need longer recovery and a slower pace but if I act sensibly I can still hike. Have seen the referenced Dr Dan a few times for fluid removal. He said the next time it builds up he wants to "go in and take a look around". As I have a built in skepticism of medical hubris and invasive procedures (retired dentist) I am inclined to say no to that and "kick the can down the road" for as long as possible.

 

[DougPaul]

I think Glucosamine works best if taken consistently as opposed to expecting a "cure" as with a drug.

Yes, Glucosamine and Chondroitin are long-term slow actors. It can easily take a month to several months of steady use for the effects (if any) to show up.

http://ww2.arthritis.org/conditions/alttherapies/glucosamine.asp
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00189
http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/gait/qa.htm
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/glucosamine.html

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

The Wheeless Textbook of Orthopaedics is back up...

The index for total knee replacement: http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/total_knee_arthroplasty

It may look a bit intimidating at first, but if you dive in, you will learn a lot. There is a lot of professional jargon--I found a medical dictionary to be a big help: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/.

Doug

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Have seen the referenced Dr Dan a few times for fluid removal. He said the next time it builds up he wants to "go in and take a look around". As I have a built in skepticism of medical hubris and invasive procedures (retired dentist) I am inclined to say no to that and "kick the can down the road" for as long as possible.

In the 6 months I've been dealing with him, I've found him to be quite conservative when it comes to surgery. I'm glad he talked me out of it... I was able to do Washington, Monroe and Clay on Friday, and my wife and I did Cannon today. So, I'd say I'm doing all right...

That said, if he thinks it wise, I would give it a second thought...

Tim

 

[coldfeet]

Thx for the advise and listening....been stressed out thinking about the options....sometimes at night I read stuff on internet sites for hours about knees

www.kneeguru.com

I've been taking the glucosamine pills for probably 3 years now and fish oil pills...I might have messed up my stomach by taking to much aleave and advil this past summer....As per my regular dr he told me to lay off the advil....I'm going to use whatever brain power I have to deal with the pain and not think about it....just wanted to vent some fustrations (sp?).....thx...David...

 

[AMF]

I don't know how serious you want to get with the kayak, or how bad the knee condition it, but take it easy in the boat. If'n your paddle form is good, it puts a fair bit of stress on the knee - you should be pushing with every stroke. I lost most of the cartilage in one knee (just before a planned Cascades climbing trip!) & thought I'd take up paddling. I was surprised at how my knee swelled up after a hard paddle. Now I wear a brace for paddling or hiking (and just got the 2nd of my 3 injections... )

amf

 

[Gris]

You Need to See a TRUE Specialist

i hate to say it, but just about every other orthopod sucks. these days you need to see not one, not two, but probably three or more "specialists" before you can really know what's going on...

IF your knees are lined up right and you don't have any cartilage flapping around and sticking into places it shouldn't be, then you should be able to suck it up and deal with it...

i mean, i got NO cartilage in either knee, no ACL min the left, damage to both MCLs, etc., etc. and I'm overweight and in not in very good shape anymore. BUT, i can do it. bone on bone ain't that bad if you have good muscle tone (which i'm sure you do) provided your knees are aligned and no loose cartilage...

like the other poster said - stay AWAY for that replacement operation. and thank GOd you don't have a serious back problem

 

[coldfeet]

AMF....hope it works for you....best of health

I was also told to push against the pegs while paddling, I have a wrap around brace, maybe I'll try that..

Griss....You and others have made some good points about strengthening the muscles....i need to start concentrating on that....


Also maybe I do have some cartilage flapping around and a little scoping would fix it....but it did feel good to not have knee pain after going on a 3hr kayak trip today...but my arms!...need a lighter paddle...

 

[AMF]

..need a lighter paddle...

CARBON! You won't regret it...