KNEE ARTHRITIS - Changing the forces through the joint :

Unispacer - - Posted by Jules40 (Jules40), 16 August 2002

Has anyone had the surgery to have the Unispacer put in? I had mine on July 29, 2002. I am curious as to how other people are recovering and progressing. I have experienced more pain than I had anticipated and wondered if this was normal. I know its a new procedure but would like to hear from others who have had the surgery!
Posted by Karenk (Karenk), 10 September 2002

I am having a Unispacer "installed" on Sept. 26th Karenk
Posted by Jules40 (Julie), 11 September 2002

Good Luck! I will be anxious to hear how you do. I think I am a slow healer. I am 6 weeks out. I was on the crutches for about 3 1/2 weeks and a cane for 2 weeks. I do feel it getting stronger now, but it still hurts like heck to bend it very far!!! My doctor had not warned me of how long the recovery was going to be! I thought it was only like 4 weeks...now I'm finding it's more like 3-6 months!!! So maybe I'm not so slow after all!
Posted by Spacer36 (Spacer36), 14 September 2002

Hi!
I had the unispacer installed on July 2, 2002 and would love to compare experiences. My address is Prayersinthenight@hotmail.com.
Lisa
Posted by Karenk (Karenk), 14 October 2002

Had Unispacer installed on Sept. 26th. I am back to work, part-time today 10/14. Using cane around the house, but longer distances still using walker. Pain meds are just motrin for almost a week now. Therapy is a stinker. Flex is slow coming-still at about 80 degrees. Strength is good. It will be some time yet before I will know if this is an improvement over giant holes in cartilege. good luck to all - Karen
Posted by SueT (SueT), 16 October 2002

I had my right knee done on June 28 - now almost 4 months post-op.  I spent two night in the hospital but was up on crutches the night of surgery.  Don't believe what they say about 6-8 weeks of therapy.  I had a home therapist starting on post-op day 4 and began full time out patient therapy at 3 weeks.  I'm still going twice a week for gait training.  I also had the CPM and started at 35 degrees flexion working up to 126 degrees.  Pain relief is at about 75-80%, but weather changes are a real killer.  I spent 10 days or so on both crutches, 3 weeks with one crutch and a week or so with a cane.  I still keep the cane in my car, but don't really use it.  My greatest lifesaver has been handicapped parking.  Walking distances is still a challenge, especially at the end of the day.  All in all, I'm happy with the results and would recommend the unispacer over a total knee replacement any day.
Posted by karenk (karenk), 22 July 2003

Hi all,
It's been a year for some of us since our Unispacer were installed. Does anyone have any comments on theirs over the past year. I am at 10 months and am seriously considering having it removed and a partial knee replacement done. I am still have considerable pain after what I consider a small amout of walking. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Karen
Posted by Jules40 (Julie), 24 July 2003

I had my unispacer put in one year ago. I am still in pain. My surgeon put in about 25 and has taken most of them back out and did total knees. I do not want the total knee replacement, but it is my only option left. Obviously this unispacer wasn't the miracle we were all led to believe...including my doctor.
Posted by karenk (karenk), 24 July 2003

Thanks for responding Julie. After last night I am ready to pull this one out. I don't know if it's moving around too much, but the pain was unbearable. I guess it was worth the try. I'll be able to just have a partial done at this point.  Keep in touch. Thanks again, Karen

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