Life span of total knee replacement

[Nati]

I had both knees replaced 16 years ago.
Everything was great until a year ago, I now have quite a bit of pain walking if there is a slight incline in the street, and when bending,
Should I have them checked? Is there something that can be done or do I have to live with it?

[pat 319]

I had a TKR done 12 years ago. My knee is starting to lock and pain I am also having pain from the heal of my foot to my hip. Does any one know if all this pain means the knee has to be replaced again. Really can't go to Dr. lost my insurance a few years ago,I'm only 62 and not eligable for social security

[stacey]

Jesse wrote:

I am 48 and have been dealing with left knee pain/issues since a motorcycle accident at 25. My Dr says there is nothing he can do to help but TKR. Im scared becasue there are so many people complaining about post-op issues and my dr said at my age the knee will only last for 10 years. Im looking for folks who have actually had a good experience (or at least tolerable) and to guage longevity. thanks

I have my right knee replaced at 40....Best thing i ever did. first month is the hardest, but after that you should get better everyday. good luck....

[Bob]

cooper wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Jesse,
Don't sure if you had the TKR since your post was in 2009. I'm 53 and post 6weeks. Let me know where you are with your knee situation so I can help you or not. BTW, what were your exact injuries to your knee after your motorcycle accident? I dislocated my knee ( pretty much ripped my knee off). let me know :)

I tore up my knee when I was 19. I had 14 surgeries on that knee. Couldn't walk for 10 years.Finally at 39 I had a TKR. That was 15 years ago, and I still play golf twice a week. The myth about them being good for only 10 yrs is crap. It will last as long as you don't abuse. Some people think the can go skiing or play ice hockey. You can't. NO CONTACT sports allowed. You might feel great, but you can only push it so far. I only played golf, very passive non agressive sport. and like i said its been 14 years.

[Peter]

The life span of a knee replacement depends on how the person take care of themselves, It is best to consult the doctor before the patient plans of doing something extreme to avoid accident leading to complications. To know more related cases, check www.depuyhiprecallcenter.com for more information.

[Dr Mathew Varghese]

My mother who is 70 ys underwent Total Knee Replacement ( L & R ) at Hosmat Hospital,Bangalore in 2011.They did a Titanium versus hard polyethylene knee joint prosthesis. She is doing fine without any pain.

[Namu Myoho Renge Kyo]

Chant to help your knee.
http://www.nichirenbuddhist.org/

[gregump44]

I had my right replacement when I was 39, and the left 2 years later. I played pro football for a short while, and tore them up pretty badly. I turned 60 this July. I still have the replacements and there have been no problems.

Your behavior has a huge effect on their lifespan. I stayed active, watched my weight, worked out regularly, but, smartly. I also umpired college baseball for 15 years AFTER the replacements.

So, just use your head, keep the weight off, and you will be fine.

One other thing. I had an orthopedic surgeon tell me, that the makers of the replacements intentionally underestimate the products longevity to guard against lawsuits.

[justjuls]

Charm wrote:

I am considering having a knee replacement. I am told my knee is very badly damaged and riddled with arthritis. I have already had a tibial osteotomy as well as arthroscopy done. One consultant says the life span is 10 years (I am only 58 so consider myself too young to run the risk) and another says 85% for 20 years. Any advice from people who have had a replacement in a similar circumstance? Thanks in advance.

Charm, I had my first knee replacement at the age of 47, I had the tibial osteotomy as well as Hiogan and Sinvec shots as well without much help. I had my second knee done 3 years later, I will be 59 in 2 weeks and still have the original replacements , I was told 10 years unless you don't abuse them then it would be longer. I was an Avid bowler and chose to give it up rather then over use the knee. I also am a polio survivor which is part of the reason the knees wore out at such a young age. I would do it again if the need ever arises the pain that I had before the knees is not something I would have wanted to deal with for very much longer. I think that you would be a much happier person without the pain and in todays medical world, its a pretty easy process its the physical therapy that counts , If you not committed to that then don't get it done, because the pain is there with the therapy but gone in a couple of mounths. Good Luck.

[David]

Charm wrote:

I am considering having a knee replacement. I am told my knee is very badly damaged and riddled with arthritis. I have already had a tibial osteotomy as well as arthroscopy done. One consultant says the life span is 10 years (I am only 58 so consider myself too young to run the risk) and another says 85% for 20 years. Any advice from people who have had a replacement in a similar circumstance? Thanks in advance.

I am a bi-lateral knee replacement patient. I studied this quite a bit before having the surgery. My MD and everything I found said, 20 years is the average. I have no reason to doubt my Md, he did an excellent job.

[Jay]

I too was told to wait as long as possible. Mainly because there are new advances out frequently to add longevity and ease of surgury. At 50, I was bone to bone in excruciating pain most of the time. Not sure i would want to go throught TKR again - it was the worst pain I have ever been through. BUT 8 years later on a Stryker, I am still better off than I was when I was 20.

David wrote:

<quoted text>Ollie, I hope you have had those knees replaced by now. The wait as long as you can thinking has gone out the window. Actually you could make it harder on the surgeon by waiting. There is no reason you should be putting up with all that pain. I have two new knees and other than the scars, they are awesome! I exercise everyday and do pretty much what I want, except jog. By the way, I have Biomet Vanguard Knees. Love um!

[Richard]

My knee implant is 23 years old and is giving me lots of pain after I fell. I am 92 years old. Any suggestions?

[David]

Charm wrote:

I am considering having a knee replacement. I am told my knee is very badly damaged and riddled with arthritis. I have already had a tibial osteotomy as well as arthroscopy done. One consultant says the life span is 10 years (I am only 58 so consider myself too young to run the risk) and another says 85% for 20 years. Any advice from people who have had a replacement in a similar circumstance? Thanks in advance.

Hey Charm, I had both knees repalaced. The first one five years a go and the second three years. Trust me I did my research on the products. My MD promised me 20 years and I have no reason to doubt him. I bike 5-6 days a week, do leg presses, etc... and have no issues. Except my quads burn out faster than my knees now. The old thinking was to wait as long as possible before replacing knees. That thinking has changed. Many times waiting too long can make the surgery more difficult with shrinking and stretching tendons. Go for it!! It has made my life so much better and my fitness level is peaking again. I qualified for the Seniors National Cycling for this summer. I will turn 61 in June. Good luck!!
David

[Aamer]

Hey! you know luck is a major factor! we all have to bear the pain that is written for us! my father had total knee replacement in 2009 for both knees and since that he has been very active and Thank God Almighty pretty normal. he gets a bit pain or trouble at times but that is very rare. I suggest if someone has been really freezed or jammed by knee pain and there is no roam for remedy left, going for knee transplant is not a bad thing but a blessing!The pain after surgery is very brutal but last only a week or two and one starts recovering as soon as start a bit walk! Good luck for all of you out there and my God grants you with good health and active happy live.

[Tom]

I had my TKR 6yrs ago at the Cleveland Clinic and I can't say enough about the doctors and staff there. I work out at the gym 3 times a week and I still feel as good as when it was done. If mine wears out I have no qualms about having it done again I' m 65 now and feel great.

[julie]

hi charm well what can i say i am 54 and had keyhole surgery last october and the surgeon advised me afterwards that i needed a total knee replacement well i went ahead and i am now 5 weeks post opp i have been told it will last 15 to 20 years depending on your job and how much your on it as the more your on it it will wear out quicker i am on my feet at work for 12 hours a day and have been advised to change my job well i am still in pain as physio is hell but i have been told everybody is different which is true as the old man that lives across the road from me is 83 and had the same opp as me 4 weeks ago is not in any pain and can bend his knee its unbeliverble