 Poster: A snowHead
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Does anyone have experience with knee replacements and thoughts on when it is required?
I have had multiple surgeries on my knee over the past 30 years, and it is arthritic. I saw a surgeon around 6-7 years ago who said I would need a knee replacement at some point, but not yet. He suggested I would be lucky to make it to 50 before I needed one (I‘m now 4 .
I’ve coped with chronic pain in the knee for a long time but it is slowly beginning to restrict my activity. I can still run when needed, walk a couple of miles at a time, but I’m avoiding some physical activity because of the pain that I never used to. For example I walk my daughter to school (1.5 mile round trip) and 3 months ago would walk to town and back, now I avoid that second walk, I could do it but I know it will hurt.
I’m still thinking it’s too early given I can walk a couple of miles and referee a rugby game, but I don’t want to leave it until my mobility is severely restricted.
Anyone been through this and got any advice on the cut off point for coping vs going for the replacement?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Knee replacements are often not completely successful to put it mildly
i would explore other options
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Hmm. I wouldn't have thought that either refereeing a rugby game, or running for any other reason, was great for your knee if you can't walk more than a couple of miles. I know it's hard to step back from things you enjoy, but sometimes it's inevitable. Does your doctor, or orthopaedic specialist, now think you should go for a knee replacement?
Is there any physiotherapy/exercises you could do to help the knee? I'd certainly not be going for a replacement without having consulted a good physio. Some quite simple exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee can be very helpful.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yes, I’ve done and constantly work on physio. With my history and suffering from chronic instability I’m aware of the importance of strong muscles to compensate for the weakness.
You make a good point about running and the impact it has, it will no doubt bring any replacement sooner. However, I made a decision that I will need a replacement at some point regardless, and I want to enjoy my life as much as my limbs will allow in the interim. I’d rather run and referee and manage the pain and reduced time to replacement than not do it and be more unhappy.
My doctor cannot help me as they say the decision is mine alone. I know for some people I hav fear too much mobility to consider a knee replacement, others may have already chosen to have one in my situation. Hence I’m looking for peoples experience to help me decide the next steps.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I'm in a similar situation but older. Have you had any cortisone shots? Might calm things down for a while. You can't do those forever, but it might help you string things along a bit longer....and it sounds like you could wait a while. I ski with guys with new knees and they are in a much better place now, but they don't bring you all the way back....just better. Their decision point was when they were taking ibuprofen like candy.
Ice and rest are also good ideas that are easy to tell others to do!
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@zebra1922, I have two chums who had knackered knees (from youthful injury). One has historically been told to avoid replacement as the then devices had a relatively short service life.
The other only needed a replacement quite recently and the current surgical opinion was that current prostheses have a much longer service life and she'd probably (mid 50s) never need any further attention.
She had it done by this chap http://www.fareshaddad.co.uk using the Mako robot. She was absolutely delighted - no pain basically and up and about almost straight away.
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| Quote: |
| I wouldn't have thought that either refereeing a rugby game, or running for any other reason, was great for your knee if you can't walk more than a couple of miles. |
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| You make a good point about running and the impact it has, it will no doubt bring any replacement sooner. |
This is widely thought to be true, but is one of those things that probably isn't. I'm no expert on this, but my friend is – she is an engineer who tests the hardware used in hip and knee replacements, and wrote her PhD on this exact subject, about whether or not sports like running do any damage to knee joints. Her findings were that no, they don't, and are generally beneficial because doing sports builds muscle which protects the knee joint. I guess her research is out there somewhere if you want to read it.
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@Scarlet, you know, I'd love to read that (and have it on hand to dismiss folks saying "ooh that's bad for your knees") 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@zebra1922, have a look at PRP injections, they really helped with my knees and gave me a lot of relief for a good 18 months.
If you are going to do it I would suggest finding a surgeon that specialises in "active" knee replacements. There are numerous types of prosthetic knees and not all are designed for skiing or sports. The Mako robot one in particular uses an older version of knee replacement that isn't the best for skiing.. Look up MatOrtho Medial Rotation Knee MRK in the UK or Conformis in the USA ...
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Not directly. However I know one heli ski guide who has a pair of bionic knees and he necessarily gets more vertical in a season than most will do in a lifetime. I can't see much limitation in those replacements for athletes. I don't know his precise clinical circumstances, so I'd look at data not anecdote. From what I recall a lot of UK "bad knee" issues are obesity related, so you'd need to filter those out if you're athletic.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Scarlet, I have done much reading on the internet regarding the impact running has on your body. Generally, if it causes you no pain to do it, it will be beneficial according to most research.
There is no statistical evidence which says running is bad for knees. On the contrary, most evidence points the other way.
The frequency and distance of running can have an impact on mortality. So be moderate, 2-3 runs a week seems to be the sweet spot. extreme runners can have additional mortality due to cardiovascular problems. Low impact moderate jogging appears to reduce mortality compared to the general population.
However, if you have a knee condition, it would be wise to get advice specific to your case.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@skimottaret, that's interesting - one of the criteria my friend gace her surgeon was to be able to ski (and tour) ...! 
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@under a new name, My oldest is a senior physio and they love the Mako installed knees as surgery is cleaner and rehab is quicker, but, it uses an older generation prosthetic (Stryker). NHS love the Stryker as cheaper and quicker outcomes. She tells me most surgeons find a prosthetic they like and stick with that as the installation tools are all quite different and take time to understand and get proficient with. Some surgeons will use different manufacturers but not all do... A well installed knee irrespective of type gives a better outcome in her view. Also, prehabbing and patient condition prior to surgery is a big deal
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You know it makes sense.
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@skimottaret, that all makes sense, cheers.
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