KNEE ARTHRITIS - Total Knee Replacement :
Multi-Total Knee Replacements - - Posted by rustycog (rustycog), 12 August 2003
Multi-Total Knee Replacements
« on: 08/04/03 at 21:29:30 » Quote Modify Remove
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Hi Folks,
I'm a 48yo male, former offensive guard at NC State University back in the mid-70's (74-77) and I have had quite a "go" of it lately. I had my first total knee done in May 1999. It lasted till Spring on 2001. In May of 2001 I had my second total knee replacement (same knee). This second knee lasted until July 2002 at which time a third art. knee was inserted. That's right 3 art. knees in a little over or around 4 years. These are not just simple revisions but complete installation of all new hardware. I'm trying to find others with similiar stories if any and their sucesses. I look forward to hearing from you folks.
Regards,
Rusty
Posted by parky_13 (parky_13), 12 August 2003
Rusty,
My ortho is talking about replacing my replacement which is only a year and a half old with a diffferent one. The "new " one would just kind of float in there because I have very bad lig. and tendons becasue of quad tendon tears. The only draw back is it will only last at the most 10 years then I will have to have it done again. Do you know anything about the replacement that floats ? parky
Posted by rustycog (rustycog), 13 August 2003
Hi Parky,
I have never heard that term used, "floats" regarding a total knee. Yeah, I've had three complete knees done in the last four a half years (all neww hardware) and no one has ever mention a "floating knee", it sure sounds a lot more confirtable than what i have been experiencing though.
In you dealings with others have you run into anyone who has have an experiece close to mine? I really at witts end trying to get answers or eventrying to find the right questions to ask.
Thanks,
Rusty
Posted by parky_13 (parky_13), 13 August 2003
Rusty,
The name I believe given to the replacement is constraint replacement made by the zimmer company. I am going to go to the University of Iowa Medical Center on the 26th of this month to get a second opinion. I want to find out more about this type before I have anything done. I will check back with you in a bit. Parky
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 14 August 2003
Hi Parky,
I'm curious where you are located...I went to U of IA Hospitals andClinics for my third opinion. Ilive in the Quad Cities--are we neighbors?
I hope you have luck with your second opinion and this new replacement...Sylvia
Posted by parky_13 (parky_13), 14 August 2003
Hi,
I live just north of Peoria, Illinois in a town called Chillicothe. This will be my first trip to Iowa kind of scared don't know what to expect. Parky
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 26 August 2003
Hey Parky,
It's a small world--my hubby grew up in Pekin and his family is from Pekin and Lewiston and so on...My second oldest son is going to Bradley...
Good luck on that second opinion. U of IA is a very big place--but they know their stuff.
Take care, Sylvia
Posted by parky_13 (parky_13), 26 August 2003
Syliva,
Just got back from Iowa City. Things did not go as I had hoped. I saw a young doc by the name of Michael O'Rouke. He is a joint specialist. He advises I not do anything for at least 6 months. Not even the malnipulation. Everything inside the right knee is sooo inflamed from soooo many surgeries he believes it needs time to heal. My scars are still red which he says is a sign the knee is not healed. He believes the risks out weigh the benifits on the malnipulation. He would not even think about a constrained replacement for at least a year from now. The knee today could only bend at about 50 degrees on my own. The stiffness he does not believe is causing my all of my pain. People can live with stiffness but not pain. He is afraid if the knee is pushed too far there will be damage to the extensor mechanism. He feels that would be a very bad setback. After a year if the stiffness is still a problem then maybe they could go in and look at the replacement I now have see if it can be adjusted. I did not know that was even possible. If not then a constained replacement maybe considered. But he would think more on the lines of a fusion of the knee joint itself. My leg would be stiff but the pain would be gone. What a mess!!!! He wants me to continue with pt for as long as I can. But there is risk with that also, if they push too hard they can also tear something. 
Parky
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 27 August 2003
Wow...
that is a lot of information to absorb. It sounds like you are in limbo then for 6 months to wait and see what natural changes occur for you. Fusion sure sounds like a scary option...
I hope that time will give you some positive answers...Good luck, Parky! Sylvia
Posted by socrmom (socrmom), 11 January 2004
I am a 51 year old female. In college approx. 30 yr. ago, I tore the menicus and had surgery. Developed bad OA. I had a TKR on my right knee one year ago. I developed a wobble so in July I had a thicker tibial plate inserted. PT was taken slowly so as not to stretch anything, but alas, my ligaments are still stretching and now I have been told by my dr. and a second opinion dr. that I need to have a total revision with constrainted parts so my knee will not be able to wobble. They are also recommending that my ligaments be "braided" to help them quit stretching. Anyone been through this? I need to make a decision soon, but all I really want right now is to not be in a dr. office or PT or any medical stuff. I have taken a sabbatical from MDs since Nov when I got this news. I will have to face it soon, as I can tell the ligaments are really letting go and I am scared that I may fall or something. What to do? Any suggestions? Thanks. I feel better having posted this because I know you guys know what it's like.
Posted by hmaxwell (Heather M.), 12 January 2004
I haven't had your problems--either the TKR or the stretched ligaments--but I was wondering if a procedure called thermal shrinkage could be an option in your case? It's used with unstable joints causes by loose ligaments and tendons. The surgeon goes in an uses some type of laser instrument to heat the stretched ligaments and get them to tighten up. I know my doctor in Colorado does this, but other than that I believe it's something done only by a handful of specialists. It may be that it's not an option with a TKR, but I thought I'd throw the idea out there for you to research.
Good luck.
Heather
Updated Thu Apr 29 2010
