Joints - what's your opinion?

lindalegs
lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
edited 17. Nov 2009, 09:51 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi All,

Do they do joint replacements earlier than they used to nowadays?
    Friend 1 - having a knee replacement. The week before the op I watched her walk alone down a steep incline with no handrail and no walking aids :shock: Friend 2 - having knee replacement, stands for ages and walks without walking aids and not a limp in sight, gets on and off seats elegantly and easily. :shock: Friend 3 - having hip replacement, does a 30 minute walk home after class pulling a heavy shopping trolley, no limp, no walking stick :shock:

Before I had my knees replaced I was in a wheelchair, very knock-kneed, struggled getting on and off seating and basically could barely put one foot in front of another. :?

Has the thinking changed nowadays and they do them before it's essential? If they're put it in earlier than necessary wouldn't it still mean the artificial joint wears out earlier too and then a revision is needed before time?

I really am confused about this :?

Luv Legs
who's been
scratching her head and thinking a015.gif
Love, Legs x
'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
«1

Comments

  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Linda

    Are these friends having these ops done privately or on the NHS?
    Roughly what ages are they?

    :lol: You have asked a few questions and now I am! :lol:

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    elnafinn wrote:
    Hi Linda

    Are these friends having these ops done privately or on the NHS?
    Roughly what ages are they?

    :lol: You have asked a few questions and now I am! :lol:

    Luv
    Elna x

    Hi Elna,

    Friend 1 - 50
    Friend 2 - 65
    Friend 3 - 67

    and all NHS :shock:

    What do you think, what sort of state were you in before you had your knee done .... and your forthcoming op .... are you limping etc.?

    Luv Legs with even more questions :?
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Linda

    Think yo might have a point here, I remember people had to be in agony before anything was done. Maybe they've taken pity on us!! no I didn't think so :)

    Love
    Vonski x
  • suzster
    suzster Member Posts: 1,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    the nhs wouldn't give me a hip replacement even though i was in alot of pain and using a walking stick, i eventually got a 2nd opinion and they did a resurfacing on my hip, they did that because it meant i could have a replacement later if needed and because it would last longer, but it took me several years to get that done and lots of to-ing and fro-ing at different hospitals.
    it seems wrong really to do ops if not actually needed?
    i know my neighbour is having his knee done soon and although he doesn't use a stick you can tell he is struggling.
    hmm, it's got me thinking!
    sue
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Linda

    Mine was done privately and I have never used a stick. The surgeon was not keen to do the op and wanted me to wait as long as I could. When I went back a year or so later and he saw the xrays and did an arthro on that knee he agreed. That was 2 years ago.

    This time I do not see him until later this month. I would like my other knee done next year. Again, I do not use a stick , but I do not sleep at night, with the pain. I am falling more and walking into door frames etc not sure if it is the knee failing me or what. ( i am not drunk!!)Stairs are hell. After sitting for a while, my knee ceases up for a while and I cling on to things to walk. All I know is it is not doing my operated knee any good. The knee that need to be done, is very swollen and the leg is beginning to become misshapen, like the other one did.

    The knee joint will wear out I presume and will have to be done again should I live that long!! I will worry about that when and if the time arrives and that will not be done privately. :roll: The ages of 65 and 67 seems quite reasonable to me. At least at that age you have a good chance of recovery. All the trouble with my mum's health last year started with a TKR done privately at the age of 84 so it is swings and roundabouts really. Her surgeon said it was a very difficult op as the knee was so deformed and he had debated about doing the op at all at her age but as she was so active and had many interests he agreed. Now she is ok.

    I do walk a little oddly anyway as I have a slight curvature of the spine. :roll: :roll:

    I think probably if you have the strength to persevere you will find a surgeon who will operate. It also seems to depend where you live as to who gets any op offered readily.

    Crikey, I have waffled on here!

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Linda

    Interesting question that! ......I does seem, from what you describe, that in some areas of the country they are offering joint replacement ops sooner... perhaps the reason is that they are beginning to think about people's quality of life and not just degrees of disability or doing ops as a last resort?....... (one always hopes)

    also, surely it merits doing a TJR before it's past being operable (some of us have gone beyond a joint being able to have TJR).

    either that or folks with arther are becoming more bolshie and pushing for the op?.......thinking.. why suffer excruciating pain for eyons when you can get relief by having an op..?

    anyway good luck to them!

    my head hurts with all this thinking!
    Dorcas x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The longer you can wait as long as the x-ray damage isn't too bad, the better. Things are changing so fast, that I think it better to wait for surgery, which improving all the time. Also I get quite a bit of pain from my hip, but I can manage and I intend to as long as possible.

    Is there some forms of disease or injury which dosn't show to the outsider? Don't know. Maybe some surgeons are quicker to step in?
    Love Sue
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Head scratching Legs,

    I really think it does depend on who you see as much as anything. My kid brother had his first hip at 21 and his 2nd on the other side a year later. He is very active and he has had to have one of them re-done and the other is also being re-done but he really did have to have them done and so they were. He got around 20 years from the original ones and they have warned him the replacements may not last quite as long. Mine they said they would put me on the list if I wanted cus thats so long a wait but then they reckoned I am too abusive to my bones and if I could keep my own longer they would be less at risk of further problems........ Still trying to work that one out.

    They told me about my knees they would have to wait but that was such a long time ago....... Now I's confused as well :wink: Luv Cris who has muddied the water even more :lol: xx
  • tanith
    tanith Member Posts: 175
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    What an interesting observation, my bil had a knee op 4mths ago and he too was hardly limping but in pain, he thought I was a bit mad when I tried to tell him he was better off coping with his own knee a bit longer, he's only 54, and that the new knee would never be as good as his own.. , he took a good 3mths to recover and he is still limping so I do wonder whether people exaggerate the symptoms thinking after the op the will be much better only to find they are not much better off with the new knee than they were before...
    Our worst times are always our best lessons.
  • page35
    page35 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jan i recon it would :D

    linda would you have had yours done sooner if you could?
    maybe they are doing the ones in there 60s cos if the replacements last 20years they probabily only need that one. and it may inprove there pain now so no point waiting.
  • lauracarmel2001
    lauracarmel2001 Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I'm 33 and I'm having a hip replacement next week.

    My walking is so bad that I have to use a wheelchair.

    However, a friends of my mums who is in his 70's had a knee replacement a few months ago , prior to the operation could walk easily without an aid.

    So I'm not sure of the logic.

    Sorry if this doesn't make much sense, I put a new patch on yday and its like I have had a few gins.


    All the best

    Laura
  • page35
    page35 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Laura
    im 33 too :D Do you think they made you wait cos you are young?
  • lauracarmel2001
    lauracarmel2001 Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think it mainly depends on the consultant, my new consultant thinks quality of life is the most important thing and he didn't even mention being 2 young.
  • page35
    page35 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i hope it goes well for you, and you recover quickly
    best wishes
  • luckybug
    luckybug Member Posts: 205
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My opinion is I think the hospitals get so much money to replace joints and that is what they do, nearly everyone in my street over 55 has had replacement hips or knees and the hospital has tried to get me to sign for some as well, no was jose..... I have a good few years in these yet, I'm only 44 and struggle, but my thought is why mend whats not broken.
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    To answer you, Page, I've learnt that having joints replaced is only to get rid of the terrible pain, it does not necessarily give you more movement. Nothing beats your own joint for flexibility. 'Friend 1' used to comment on my good bend, after the op, 120 deg. and as her knees were very stiff thought she would regain movement she had lost - she didn't - she has never had her second knee replaced. I really think she had it done too soon and for the wrong reasons.

    The advantage of having it done sooner rather than later is that as your joint deteriorates you don't use it properly and therefore you can often get muscle wastage which is hard to get back after the op.

    In saying that I still wouldn't have had it done sooner because such a major op can never be undertaken lightly and once you've had it done there's no going back. My newish knees are brilliant and have given me a new lease of life but it's also amazing how quickly ten years has gone.

    In my opinion I think people are having them done before it is necessary and I just wonder what their future holds. I don't mean that for the folk on here as alot of us have reached the end of our tether and probably having difficulties getting off a toilet seat :shock:, I aim this at people who complain they can no longer climb mountains or walk ten miles.

    Anyway enough said, thanks for your posts it's good to know your opinions.

    Luv Legs
    who always uses a
    thousand words instead of ten :roll:
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Linda

    I suffered for a couple of years before having my hip replaced.Was using sticks and screaming with pain everytime got in and out of bed.If it wasnt so bad I would not have gone ahead with op so dont know why others do.
    My OH dad had 2 knee replacements 3 years ago.He was hobbling but didnt use aids and walked fast compared to me.As a builder he needed to keep working so that was why he went ahead.Now back working I think the family think I should recover the same but I have R.A as well so shouldnt be compared to him but feel I am.
    Best wishes
    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I'm 33 and I'm having a hip replacement next week.

    My walking is so bad that I have to use a wheelchair.

    However, a friends of my mums who is in his 70's had a knee replacement a few months ago , prior to the operation could walk easily without an aid.

    So I'm not sure of the logic.

    Sorry if this doesn't make much sense, I put a new patch on yday and its like I have had a few gins.


    All the best

    Laura

    Good luck next week Laura, hope all goes well and enjoy your new hip.
      G&T is my favourite too - we always buy a fresh lemon, slice it put it in the freezer and then on the occasions I have my G&T put in a couple of frozen lemon slices and no need for ice :D

      Luv Legs
      with the tip of the week :wink:
      Love, Legs x
      'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
    • lindalegs
      lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
      edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
      tkachev wrote:
      Hi Linda

      I suffered for a couple of years before having my hip replaced.Was using sticks and screaming with pain everytime got in and out of bed.If it wasnt so bad I would not have gone ahead with op so dont know why others do.
      My OH dad had 2 knee replacements 3 years ago.He was hobbling but didnt use aids and walked fast compared to me.As a builder he needed to keep working so that was why he went ahead.Now back working I think the family think I should recover the same but I have R.A as well so shouldnt be compared to him but feel I am.
      Best wishes
      Elizabeth

      Hi Elizabeth,

      You need to point out to your family that when you have replacements they take the worn out bone away and therefore put an end to the agony of bone on bone but with RA we still have the diseased tissue around the bone and this is still susceptible to inflammation and soreness.

      It's still worth it for us though :wink: .

      Take care.

      Luv Legs :D
      Love, Legs x
      'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
    • woodbon
      woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
      edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
      I rember one of the ladies I used to know had a hip replacement at 99! :shock: It was done becauise of a fracture. She was awake when they did the op and watched on a monitor! When she came home she loved to tell stories of the sound of the verious procedures and liked to make us cringe!

      She did very well, managed to walk about without a stick and lived a good 2 years afterwards, which she enjoyed very much. :D

      When you're young, too, its important, but at my age of 54, I'd rather wait until told its just got to be done! I'd like to think its the best from a surgical point of view, but the truth is I would be scared to death!

      Love Sue
    • dachshund
      dachshund Member Posts: 9,137
      edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
      Hi Linda.
      I had my thr 13 years ago when i fell over and broke my hip.
      i got arther in my knee oppisite leg i had to wait 2 years and by then i could not walk because of the pain down my leg then i had tkr i still walk with a limp as i have one leg shorter and a curvature of the spine that as arther and i now have arther in my other hip.i'm 68.
      joan xx
      take care
      joan xx
    • sharmaine
      sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
      edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
      Hi

      I've got to have both my knees replaced and I'm 53. I have real trouble getting about - I'm on the waiting list to have the first TKR in the next 2-3 months. Mind you they kept saying I was too young for 3 years until the x-rays revealed how bad my knees were and how my mobility has deteriorated.

      I've been looking at wheelchairs longingly as I'm finding even with the help of my stick it's hard to get about. They never advise you on what to use to get about which I always find surprising. I wonder if I'm doing more damage trying to walk.

      Your friends are lucky if they can walk so far and without aids - I wish I could.

      I'll be interested to hear what others have to say.

      Sharmaine
    • wendylou
      wendylou Member Posts: 88
      edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
      lindalegs wrote:
      Hi All,

      Do they do joint replacements earlier than they used to nowadays?
        Friend 1 - having a knee replacement. The week before the op I watched her walk alone down a steep incline with no handrail and no walking aids :shock: Friend 2 - having knee replacement, stands for ages and walks without walking aids and not a limp in sight, gets on and off seats elegantly and easily. :shock: Friend 3 - having hip replacement, does a 30 minute walk home after class pulling a heavy shopping trolley, no limp, no walking stick :shock:

      Before I had my knees replaced I was in a wheelchair, very knock-kneed, struggled getting on and off seating and basically could barely put one foot in front of another. :?

      Has the thinking changed nowadays and they do them before it's essential? If they're put it in earlier than necessary wouldn't it still mean the artificial joint wears out earlier too and then a revision is needed before time?

      I really am confused about this :?

      Luv Legs
      who's been
      scratching her head and thinking a015.gif
      Hi i have O/A of the hips and knees when i saw the friend who can walk for 30 minutes and pull a trolly it made me wonder how bad she has it as i cannot go out without my crutches or if just to go round the shops i have to go in my wheelchair because im'e in a lot of pain which spoils my day out, I whould love to know how she does it. Wendylou
    • lindalegs
      lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
      edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
      i still say a would help more !!! :lol:a015.gif

      What with and adding to my vocabulary Jan, I think you should become my full-time teacher :wink:

      Luv Legs :lol:
      Love, Legs x
      'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
    • annebr
      annebr Member Posts: 730
      edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
      Hi,

      I am 39 and the first consultant I went to see (privately) told me 'you have arthritis, live with it come back in 10 years'. he charged £150 for the privilege.

      I have been told all along that I am too young for a THR. That is why I had the osteochondralplasty. At first I was puzzled why they would do this and not a thr as it was a bigger op. But, now after reading and hearing more about it I am glad they have given me an extra few years out of my hips before a replacement.

      anne