unicompartmental (half/part) knee replacement

suegibb
suegibb Member Posts: 19
edited 1. Nov 2009, 15:24 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi
Not been on here for a while but had wonderful help from everyone on this site when I was really struggling.
In Feb 2007 I had a partial knee replacement. Rehab was very slow and painful and without help from this forum I don't know how I would have got through. The replacement has never been that good, it's uncomfortable most of the time, downright painful at other times and my foot is swollen as it has been the whole time. It's been xrayed and is apparently ok, seen by my consultant.
Now I am on the w. list to get my other knee done and I am dreading it. I am not in agony from this knee;yes I have very bad days but I know it's because I've overdone things, and those days are not often. I am nearly 52 years old. Logic tells me (and the nurse specialist at the hosp tells me) to wait and perhaps have a full knee in a few years or wait till it's unbearable and go back. The registrar on my last opd appointment put me on the list. Also my anterior cruciate ligament is doubtful in this knee and it means a bigger op to correct this if it's broken. I thought they couldn't do a part knee without a functioning acl?
One problem I have is that I have never met anyone else ever who has had a part knee. Does anyone out there know any more please?
I have my pre op assessment booked although the op isn't for a while yet. I'm so tearful :cry: as my family don't understand why I don't want this surgery although my husband is totally supportive.
Phew sorry to go on, thanks for your time.
Sue XX

Comments

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

    Welcome back! I am sorry to hear that the partial op has not been so successful for you so can well understand why you are wary of having the other knee done.

    I was offered a partial but backed out and when I finally had enough of the pain etc, went to another consultant for a second opinion (I had heard he was an excellent surgeon) and he said that the knee was past a partial and needed a total. This I had done and it has worked very well for me. This was done in January 2008. I am now in the throes of seriously thinking of going down the same road with the other knee in the new year. I see the consultant at the end of this month. I have heard that with a partial you can then later have a total, no problem. Is it because of your age, that they do not wish to perform a total now?

    Have you thought of going for a second opinion regarding the knee that you have done already and find uncomfortable and about the knee you wish to have done?

    Chin up, at least your husband is supportive even if your family "don't understand". We will help and support you on here, just keep calling in. :):)

    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.
  • suegibb
    suegibb Member Posts: 19
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you, I knew I'd get a welcome here.
    I have been in touch with the nurse specialist at the hospital and she's made me an appointment to see her on the 10th Nov so I feel better as I think her view is more sensible than the medic's.
    The helpline suggested a second opinion too, not something I'd thought of as I do like my consultant, I just feel you have to decide stuff under pressure at a heaving outpatient clinic.
    Glad to hear someone else has at least been offered one of these replacements and yes the y won't do a full knee because of my age,but I think they may have to because of the possibly ruptured anterior cruciate-we'll see. It is easier to replace a part knee in the years to come and I understand that. But I don't want surgery now to end up with this other knee being worse than it is now! Madness!
    Thanks so much for your interest, people don't understand unless they have arthritis themselves.
    Sue
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi again, Sue,

    So pleased that you now feel a little better about things. It is good to talk with like minded people, aye? :wink::lol:

    As you say, you can pretty much guarantee that someone will answer your posting, even if they cannot help directly.

    I do hope to see you around the forum again. I do not remember your name but I think you must have had another username before.
    I am sure I found this site sometime in the year of 2007 too.

    I hope your weekend goes well,

    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.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sue

    I didn't realise you could get a partial replacement. Sorry to hear that it's been so uncomfortable for you. I'm waiting to have a total knee replacement other knee will be done later. I'm 53 and I don't have any other option as the knee joints are shot one more than the other. The past 2 years my GP kept saying I was too young to have the operation! My mobility is suffering and having new knees will be heaven (I hope)!

    A number of people on the site have had their knees done and are better for doing so.

    Someone on this site will give you the advice you're seeking. I can understand your dread....

    All the best with making your decision.

    Sharmaine
  • suegibb
    suegibb Member Posts: 19
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine
    yes you can have a partial if you only have part of your knee affected with oa, are young and not over weight although I am a bit but perhaps for once, not too much ha ha !! :lol:
    The physio said to me the first day post-op (when my leg was swollen twice its size and they couldn't get me out of bed like the full knee replacements patients of aged 80plus were doing!) she said they have more problems with half knees than full, heaven help us!
    I have made contact with the nurse specialist at the hospital and am seeing her on the 10th so I feel loads better as last time she seemed to understand how I feel and I will probably cancel for now; I just hope I can still go to out patients once a year or so or be re-referred easily.
    Thanks again to all
    Will let you know what she says, maybe it'll help someone else one day too.
    SueXX
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    If I really thought about all the stuff they're going to be doing whilst I'm out cold with anaethestic I wouldn't have it done! I'm such a baby.

    I hobbled into the chemist the other day and an old guy offered me his seat - he must have been 80! I felt dreadful for taking it!

    Sharmaine

    suegibb wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine
    yes you can have a partial if you only have part of your knee affected with oa, are young and not over weight although I am a bit but perhaps for once, not too much ha ha !! :lol:
    The physio said to me the first day post-op (when my leg was swollen twice its size and they couldn't get me out of bed like the full knee replacements patients of aged 80plus were doing!) she said they have more problems with half knees than full, heaven help us!
    I have made contact with the nurse specialist at the hospital and am seeing her on the 10th so I feel loads better as last time she seemed to understand how I feel and I will probably cancel for now; I just hope I can still go to out patients once a year or so or be re-referred easily.
    Thanks again to all
    Will let you know what she says, maybe it'll help someone else one day too.
    SueXX
  • suegibb
    suegibb Member Posts: 19
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm sure for all the people I've seen/know about, friends neighbours, etc that a full knee replacement will be wonderful for you and could last a long time.
    I'm a district nurse (yes we make the worst, worst patients) and knew of a patient who'd had a knee replacement last 25 years. I only really met people to remove their clips post op but cannot ever remember anyone having problems like I had. I'm retired now on ill health due to this horrible disease and when people envy me being retired so young I always offer to swap their job for my arthritis!!!!
    Good luck, let me knoe how it goes.
    SueXX