These old knee joints are getting worn out.
After having yet another injection recently in my left knee this time, it was not as effective as the last time.
Speaking to the specialist yesterday he told me that the latest X-ray showed well worn Cartledge in both knees. Well I knew this.
He suggested knee replacements.
Now my question is, are they successful?
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I know only one lady who had a knee replacement. She had been getting gold steroid injections and decided that replacement was the way to go. She is in her 70’s, and found that after the initial healing process, regular small activity helped enormously with flexibility, because there is a small chance the joint becomes stiff and you can’t bend it. Overall she has a better quality of life than she did before, so that’s a yes to success.
Sorry to hear that Emjay. I can sympathise with you as I am sitting here nursing a painful right knee which is no doubt past its sell by date.
There are lots of different treatments available these days from re-lining to complete replacements. Whether they are successful or not seems to be quite random.
I know of people that have had a replacement and are absolutely fine and I know of others who say they would rather have put up with the pain.
Believe it or not, I spent yesterday evening reading up on knee surgery and the cost of going private. Sadly out of my wage bracket but I will be interested to hear replies from others who may have had it done.
Yes if you do as you are told. The Exercises are the key to the whole recovery. I had my first one done back in 2007 followed by the other knee three years later. If your lazy about the exercise then healing is much much longer and may not work properly. But do the exercises several times a day and you’ll be fine. If you can get your hands on a Cubii then that’s all the better as you can use it sat in front of the TV at night.
Hi
Unfortunately not an option for me.
My 73 y o wife had both replaced 15yrs ago (16 wks apart) and she is still enjoying the benefit every day she rises from a night’s pain free sleep. She is fully mobile and drives almost daily.
Mr Mags had a total knee replacement four years ago after years of putting up with intense pain from an operation in his 20’s for a TB knee. He is a different person today, said it had changed his life for the better … the only thing he can’t do is kneel down on that knee.
The day after his op they got him out of bed and straight on to physio, they like you to reach a 90º bend of the knee as soon as possible for the op to be a success.
Hi Emjay 
my sister (77)had a knee replacement a few months ago. She was in hospital a couple of days, had some phiso and is pain free in that knee for the first time in years and waiting to have the other knee done when possible.
My brother (84) had both knees done some years ago, he had them done privately and wished he hadn’t left it so long and been spared years years of pain.
I know a lot of people who have had very successful knee replacements. My mother in law, my brother in laws wife, our last neighbour. The only person who I know didn’t do well with one is my dad but he did no physiotherapy afterwards as advised.
Bratti,
I think there’s quite a number who don’t do the physio afterwards, or we both know the same bloke?
(My late wife had the full ops & never did the Physio! - bad outcome)
Well thanks for your replies, and the vote for me from what you say is to go for it. I would like to find out more about the reline that is mentioned. I just wonder if that could be an option for me.
Whatever I decide would still be a few months away. Although I had been referred to one of the local private hospitals that treat NHS patients.
I seem to remember from many years ago that a knee replacement will not allow full flexion of the joint (the lower leg to meet the thigh). Is this still the case?
In any event, I’m sure that if I needed the op. I’d live with that minor restriction in order to maintain my freedom of motion.
One of my neighbours had hers done some years ago - faithfully followed all the physio exercises she was given - and is still delighted with the result. The only thing she cannot do is negotiate her incredibly steep loft ladder - though I believe that to be more a confidence matter than a flexibilty one - and I am happy to go up there for her when the need arises and as long as I am able.