Is 45 REALLY too young for a knee replacement?

Folara

It's been going round and round in my head for a while now but my surgeon keeps insisting I am still too young to have one (maybe both) knees replaced. My left knee is completely knackered, bone on bone, constant pain, can't weight bear and won't straighten properly. My right knee isn't so bad but it locks and swells and gives way etc etc

I don't think I am too young now to have at least one knee sorted out especially as the other knee and both hips are on the way out (right hip had a bhr in 2009 but it's failing). Surely it would be better to get something started now rather than wait till I am so fallen apart, like old Humpty they won't be able to put me together again.

Fols x

julie47

Hi Fols

I don't think age should come into it. If it is so very bad I think joints should be replaced. Trouble is, I am not a surgeon and I don't think about costs and how long bits last. It is such a shame because I think quality of life should be the main factor.
There has been so many people on this forum who have the same problems, "you are too young" so you are not alone.

I am sorry that your knees are so bad and nothing will be done,
don't really know what else to say.
Soooo here....a hug (((((((((()))))))

juliepf x

Folara

Thanks juliepf.

Quality of life is my argument with them. I'm a virtual prisoner atm, getting fatter cos I can't exercise when I should be losing weight, etc etc I have such a wonderful husband and son and fantastic friends who do so much for me and i would love to be able to give something back to them, but cant. Makes me want to scream. Hugs are sorely needed right now, thanks xx

Fols x

mates

Hi Fols,

I was told locally that I was too young for a hip replacement. I was then referred around the houses until I saw a guy who dealt with hip disease in younger patients. He did an open dislocation and later a scope to try and save the hip but I had it replaced last May at 49 after several years of walking with crutches - it was the best thing ever! I don't know if there are surgeons who deal with knee problems in younger patients but I guess a search on the web will tell you. If there is ask for a referral to them for a second opinion.

Good Luck!

stickywicket

It’s something that keeps cropping up, Fols, and I can well understand the frustration of those who are denied prostheses be they knees or hips. I’m not the best person to answer this as I got my first two TKRs when I was 35 having had RA for 20 years by then. It all came about when my GP put me on pred again and got bollocked for it (He told me) so he asked the rheumatologist what he was supposed to do next time I’d to call him out on a Saturday morning because I literally couldn’t get out of bed. It all happened very quickly after that.

I’ve been extremely lucky with all my replacement joints but it was spelled out to me before my knee revision that it was a much bigger op than the original TKR and there was a danger of them having to amputate if it all went belly up. I think that, primarily, is why they try to hold back on the original replacement joints – so as to try to avoid revisions.

GraceB

NO!

I had a partial knee replacement at 44. This was done at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London (pm me if you want my consultant's details).

This was a last resort for me and the words I used to the medical team was that the "pain was unbearable" - that seemed to be what they were wanting to hear.

When mine needs revising (replacing) it's going to add 15-20 minutes onto the operation apparently and my partial replacement should last me 15-20 years all being well.

Please bear in mind though that you may only get a partial replacement and they may only do the worst side of your - if that's the case. Also, brace yourself for the physio afterwards - it's hard work but worth it!

If I can help in any way please PM me. Keep nagging them until you get a satisfactory resolution to this.

Good luck,
GraceB

jojo03

Hi

I had a TKR on both knees last year - I was 43 when I had the first one done in May, and 44 when I had the second in August. As far as the hospital staff were concerned, there was no question of me being too young, the only person who thought that was me!! Your knees sound very similar to how mine were before the op - very painful and felt like they could give way at any time. I had put off having them done for as long as I could, but my rheumatologist and the surgeon were both happy for me to go ahead as soon as I gave them the word.

I hope you get the result that you need - we're still young enough to enjoy our lives and shouldn't be practically housebound at this age. It has certainly made a big difference to me.

Good luck!
Jo.

Folara

Thank you so much everyone. I just feel like I am going round in circles with it all sometimes.

If they at least did a partial on the left knee then perhaps i can do some form of exercise such as swimming. I know I need other bits sorting too but it's that damn left knee that is the worst.

I will follow up on all the info and see if I can get an appointment with the Consultant.

In the meantime, I have finally got a date for the back injections. yay!

Fols x

dreamdaisy

Of course you are not too young. My cousin's wife had her first replacement aged 18 and is now, aged 49, is on her third knee but in her case the magic words were bone cancer. I need two new knees but I have to wait another two years at least until I become 55. :roll: It's just as well I am used to pain, yes? Fight for it, it is the quality of YOUR life that is at stake, that is what matters above all else. I wish you well. DD

lindalegs

Hi Folara,

I had both my knees replaced during the same op when I was 42. I'm now 53 and had a revision last year as I'd worn one out.

I think the younger you have replacements the more active you are afterwards and therefore the likelihood is that you'll wear out the new prosthesis quicker.

Does your Rheumy/Surgeon realise how poor your quality of life is at the moment? This could be a swaying factor for you rather than your age.

My replacements have given me back my life.

I hope you can get it sorted.

Luv,