Fixed or Rotating Platform?

[Badrightknee]

I am 52 yrs old and quite active. Want to continue playing doubles tennis with new knee when done. Current Dr. says he will install the fixed Natural-Knee product. Can anyone give me some opinions about this?

I know it may be best to defer to my Dr's opinion, but I am tempted to look into more cutting edge solutions.

Any ideas would be helpful,
thanks!

[missmyknee]

I am scheduled for  left knee replacement surgery Jan 26th. I am 48 and was very active ,but have been having surgeries ( 7), recovery and rehabbing for the past 4 yrs. All starting from a broken leg and botched surgery from first OS that ruined my knee. Anyway that's another long story. The doc that is doing the replacement is going to use the Johnson and Johnson / DePuy rotating platform implant. He said he uses this on young active patients. It not only has great flexion but the tibia insert rotates on the tibial tray. This mimics the natural torsion of your tibia on movement. This causes the friction to be distributed over a greater portion of the poly insert to reduce the wear and tear and tiny partcles breaking down causing osteolysis, leading to revision. This design tends to last longer. My doc said I would get 4-6 hrs walking ability/day, I would be able to get back to golf and biking. I also hope to get back to horseback riding.

You can go to the JJ/DePuy website or just look up total knee implants. There are several types and companys. Some are fixed and some rotating. You can go to www.delphiforums.com/onourfeet/jointreplacement which is a forum for knee replacements. I found alot of info from people with different implants. From what I saw,, those with the rotating platform were very satisfied with the outcome and activity level post implant. Make sure you talk to your doctor about all implant options. Research on your own all about this procedure and implant designs. Eventhough some docs use the same implant design, some are cemented in , some are not. Some docs retain the PCL, others remove it. There are some docs who use standard incision which is anywhere from 8 - 12 inches and some docs perform minimally invasive incision- around 4 inches.  

Do your research homework before surgery.

Pam

[Teresa_S]

I agree with Pam, about exploring your options, as my OS "only uses one type knee" and it is definitely NOT the knee I should have had, according to the three other OS I saw post op for problems. I really didn't have a choice as no other dr. wanted to mess with my knee due to the fact the OS had done so many surgeries, prior to the tkr, and a MRSA infection, and a post op bleed, and a huge clot in my right subclavian as the result of the port a cath that was required for the infection. THIS knee has given me nothing but problems. and it doesn;t fit me, is the biggest problem. IF a lay person looks at my legs the first thing they notice is how BIG the left (prosthesis) knee and leg are in comparison to the unoperated. I am not trying to rehab it for the second time in a year after a revison a year and a day to the day the tkr was put in. My surgeon never mentioned that I would have any limitations post op.HE acted like I could continue to work full time as a nurse on 12 hours shifts, day after day, never sitting for longer than maybe 5 minutes in a 3-4 hour period.He never even mentioned antibiotics for dental work, or the basics. I thank GOD I am a nurse and know the normal protocol of OS post op, as this guy never even looks at an incision post op or touches your leg or knee, no rom checks nothing, but sit on the opposite side of the room, and look up at you once in a while. GET A GOOD DR> AND aKNEE that suits your lifestyle.Good luck, Teresa

[MyNewKNee]

BadRtKnee,

The literature is filled with comparison of fixed vs. mobile bearing knees.  In general, long term results appear to be similar.  It is best that you find a doc that you are comfortable with and that has a lot of experience doing a certain type of implant and procedure.  A great implant can be put in poorly and a so-so implant can be put in very well.

I discuss this a bit on my site http://mynewknee.blogspot.com.

I spent several years designing implants.  The indications for fixed vs. mobile are generally the same although docs and manufacturer's target younger more active patients with mobile bearing knees (due to supposed benefits of increased wear resistance and more "natural" motion). 

Again, as suggested in other posts do your own research, and find a doc that you trust, as folks cannot and should not give medical advice