KNEE ARTHRITIS - Total Knee Replacement :

Revising PKR (partial knee replacement) to TKR - - Posted by Jeannine (Jeannine), 29 March 2003

I had an Oxford knee replacement which did not work. Told I need a full knee replacement. Has anybody information on this particular type of revision?
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 21 April 2003

Hi!

I'm with Sue in not knowing much about your Oxford knee--but I had a tkr on my left knee in December and am very anxiosly awaiting July, when we will do my right knee as well.

I am so pleased to not have the unpredictable unrelenting pain in my left knee anymore.   Is it perfect and painfree?   Not all of the time,  but to a great degree of the time it is a great deal better...The first few weeks post-op are tough but in my opinion well worth it.  Would I do it again--oh my yes, in a heartbeat--and I will.

Please ask any secific questions that you have and I'll try to give you my answers from the viewpoint of  someone who has struggled with chronic arthritis and pain...Sylvia
Posted by mtb_rider (mtb_rider), 28 April 2003

                I am 39 and have had quite bad osteoarthritis of my right knee now for about 15 years following a motocross accident in 1984.The accident tore my ACL which was never corrected and also my medial meniscus which was removed at the time. I have had other ops in 1988/1990 to remove debris caused by bone growth, being told also that I will need a knee replacement at some time. All operations were performed on the NHS as BUPA won’t cover me and I cannot afford to pay, although I wish I could afford to get more done now.
Since 1991 I have been doing mountain bike racing and cycling competitively, training 2-3 times per week, cross country and covering about 50-70 miles per week total with my longest ride 40 miles on road in about 2 ½ hours continuous riding. I have won many races and midland series too whilst battling against pain at times and resting it with ice etc. when it gets really bad and swollen, like it is right now.
I have struggled in the past to get any decent discussion time with any specialists as they don’t seem to have the time.
I really want to continue cycling as it is a very important part of my life, but am I correct in thinking it is okay for my knee, giving it strength and mobility as I think it seems to keep the bearing surface free from any bony growths, although it is now a very different shape from my ‘good’ knee and occasionally strain my outer ligaments which mean more rest.
Every day I work my knee through a full range of movement on a ‘use it or lose it’ thought .I also take Chondroitin (1200mg) per day  Glucosamine (1500mg) per day, Devils Claw 440mg per day, MSM. 1500mg per day, selenium, multivits and cod liver oil.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I hope my story has not bored you as it is rather long; however I think you need all the facts.
so can anyone tell me if you can cycle competetively after a knee replacement
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 29 April 2003

There are restrictions for a knee replacement--my ortho told me that running, jogging, repetetive movement (skiing I think was in the mix) and squatting were out.

The idea is to be able to maintain quality of life--stationary bike riding is part of therapy and recomended--so I don't know how that fits in with mountain bikes.  (Did you post this somewhere else?  I'm feeling some deja vu here--lol)  I'd definitely talk to the doc so that you know what you are getting in for and do not cause yourself extra grief and pain...Sylvia
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 4 May 2003

Hi!

I just wanted to share that I finally have the date for my right tkr--we will be getting rid of my other junk knee on July 14.   My job now is to hang in there and do what I need to between now and then to get on with my life.  I'm so relieved to realize that by the holidays, I will be past this4 year stretch of stuff in my life and I will once again be more me than just knees.  Sylvia
Posted by karenk (karenk), 8 May 2003

I have heard a partial knee replacement begin referred to as an Oxford knee. I saw a post from "allen" that he had a Unispacer replaced with a partial knee replacement, now I can't find it his post.  I have a Unispacer which is 8 months post op and I am not impressed with it so far. Allen if you are still out there, I'd like to hear from you. karenk

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