Artificial knees - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmac2012 · #1 12-08-2010, 05:39 PM

Anybody have one of these or know much about them? My right knee is starting to go. Bums the hell out of me. I'm fairly healthy in most every other way but this is really slowing me down.

Ladies everywhere are depending on me to trip the light fantastic on the dance floor. Something has to be done.

Of course I'll pursue every other avenue first, but I'm looking at all options just so I'll know.

kerry · #2 12-08-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Anybody have one of these or know much about them? My right knee is starting to go. Bums the hell out of me. I'm fairly healthy in most every other way but this is really slowing me down.

Ladies everywhere are depending on me to trip the light fantastic on the dance floor. Something has to be done.

Of course I'll pursue every other avenue first, but I'm looking at all options just so I'll know.

Tom Walgamuth has one I think.

jt20 · #3 12-08-2010, 05:52 PM

gotu kola

MS Fowler · #4 12-08-2010, 05:58 PM

My wife has had both done. Since her pattern is that she doesn't heal well ( from anything), her experience may not apply.
Her experience has been poor. Each recovery took longer than anticipated. One was even installed rotated a few degrees out of phase, and a little shorter than planned. The doctor admitted he waited too long to perform the surgery, but that is faint help. She is able to walk and get around, but not as easily as she had hoped.

I know several OR nurses. They suggest not using a "newbie". Pick a doctor that has been out of school for a while, and has a lot of practical experience.

aklim · #5 12-08-2010, 06:06 PM

Do you heal well from injuries? If not, this might be a problem. You MUST follow PT's instructions or you risk problems. In short, you walk what they tell you to walk and you sit when they say you sit. I don't know what work you do but there it is. You disobey them at your own peril.

compress ignite · #6 12-08-2010, 06:06 PM

The Human Knee is good for about 50 Years...
If you play Basketball,Tennis,Rugby,Soccer,Football,Field Hockey,Etc.
(High Impact Sports)

'Longer if you work out gently.

Incredible Knee Replacements available on the market.
(The Selection of Your Orthopedic Surgeon is the Primary Concern)

If it's a "Soft Tissue" issue Glucosamine/Chondroitin helps stave off discomfort.

The Clk Man · #7 12-08-2010, 06:11 PM

My late Father had both of his knees replaced in the early 90's, and he was very happy with the results.

I am approaching 50 myself and would love some new knees.

kknudson · #8 12-08-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

My late Father had both of his knees replaced in the early 90's, and he was very happy with the results.

I am approaching 50 myself and would love some new knees.

My Aunt has had both done, last one a few years ago in here early 80s.

She think they are great, she is a trouper though.

t walgamuth · #9 12-08-2010, 06:33 PM

i don't have any new knees but I have a hip that I am quite happy with except for the fact that he made my right leg about an inch longer.

I am hoping to get my left knee done this winter.

SwampYankee · #10 12-08-2010, 08:12 PM

My boss/father's ex-cousin-in-law once removed

had his done two years ago at 63 after putting it off for 15 years and popping Vicodins for almost that long. All I can say is now he regrets not having it done sooner. His rationale was he didn't want to get it done, have it wear out and then be stuck in wheelchair if they couldn't do it again. That's pretty stupid, have it done while you're still active and can enjoy it. In fact, he had planned on getting his other knee done this year but he had unexpected shoulder replacement instead. The knee is on the calendar next year, though.

PT is crucial! We've got a family friend who had his done but didn't follow through with the PT and it's no better than it was pre-replacement. Not being able to smoke was actually a factor.

pj67coll · #11 12-08-2010, 09:02 PM

Back in South Africa, I had an uncle who was an avid sportsman all his life. Both his knees were wrecked. In his early seventies they were so bad that it looked like his legs were two bows, like bows and arrows and he was practically immobile. He had both done simultaneously. It was incredible. Quite literally like new. Standing straight as a ramrod and playing tennis. We even had before and after pic's of it which the doctor asked for as he was so pleased with the results. Unfortunately he died some years later and we no longer have those pic's. I'm sure it really does depend on many variables not least of which is the quality of the medical personnel involved but they can be an excellent thing.

- Peter.

intrepid1981 · #12 12-09-2010, 01:45 AM

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2009/0107-fixing_damaged_knees.htm

Check it out. Looks pretty cool and you could save yourself a long and painful recovery.

I saw it the other day.

Strife · #13 12-09-2010, 01:58 AM

Well, a great-aunt and my father in law had them done; you have to be aware that the recovery is long and physical therapy (ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED THAT YOU DO THIS) is demanding. I don't think either recovered their original athletic abilities (my FIL played for Duke football), but they were in their 70's when they had it done and they were both mobile 4-6 months later, but dancing...I don't know.

With the alternative for both of them sitting in a wheelchair for the remainder of their lives, I'd say that the results were good.

My FIL was sorry that he had it done for about 4 months after the surgery; he sings a different song about it now. It is a brutal recovery, and no doubt gets tougher the older you are.

cmac2012 · #14 12-09-2010, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Do you heal well from injuries? If not, this might be a problem. You MUST follow PT's instructions or you risk problems. In short, you walk what they tell you to walk and you sit when they say you sit. I don't know what work you do but there it is. You disobey them at your own peril.

I've heard that a few things go wrong and you can lose your leg. It's a big decision.

cmac2012 · #15 12-09-2010, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

The Human Knee is good for about 50 Years...
If you play Basketball,Tennis,Rugby,Soccer,Football,Field Hockey,Etc.
(High Impact Sports)

'Longer if you work out gently.

Incredible Knee Replacements available on the market.
(The Selection of Your Orthopedic Surgeon is the Primary Concern)

If it's a "Soft Tissue" issue Glucosamine/Chondroitin helps stave off discomfort.

I used to play copious basketball and on concrete or asphalt courts too often. DOHH!! And 50 years old . . . yeah, I remember 50 (58 now

who would'a thought?). Spending long hours on my knees doing baseboard, flooring,. and tile work hasn't helped I'm sure. These days bicycling and swimming is about it. I've been using Glucosamine/Chondroitin for some time as well as SAM-e that's supposed to aid joints as well.

I might have one ace in my hole. In '77, I broke my left leg pretty badly playing basketball, fib and tib snapped about 6 inches above the ankle. The head of the UW orthopedics dept. advised a fasciotomy to relieve pressure in the leg below the break - that's why people used to suffer amputation for broken legs, poor circulation from swelling. He also needed a video subject for teaching and I agreed. About 6 months later, he filmed me walking in a park and a year after the break came to my ballet recital - I had a scholarship at a small school - I had broken it 3 weeks before what was to have been my first recital (the head lady wanted young men strong enough to lift the girls up, made it look more like a dance company).

Afterwards, we went to his office and watched the operation video and then went to his house for ice cream with his wife and young son. I learned years later that the guy is a recognized international authority on the topic - Frederick Matsen. I've also since read of people losing their foot, even in these modern times, for want of a fasciotomy.

Long story short, maybe I should move back to Seattle and see if he's interested in any sort of long term follow up video on my original operation and wheedle some first rate advice on how to proceed on my other leg.