Contemplating Knee replacement(s)

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

I'm looking to hear from any nurses who have had knee replacement surgery. I'm 50 and in my 3rd semester of my ADN RN program. Arthritis (a combo of rheumatoid and osteo) has pretty much destroyed my knees. I've had two scope procedures on one knee, and one on the other. Right now, my left knee is so stiff and painful after a 12h shift as a tech that I can't bend it. The right is a bit better. Forget stair climbing. And, at the end of the year I will be moving from Florida to Western Pennsylvania where the terrain is hilly and most homes have stairs.

I realize recovery is an individual thing and dependent on multiple factors. From mid-May to mid-August, I'll be off from school and have no plans to work. This seems like the best time to get knee replacement surgery done but I'm concerned that I won't be recovered in time for my fourth semester preceptorship.

What has your experience been?

[unknown99, BSN, RN]

I have never had it done, but I am a rehab RN. From what I have seen from younger patients such as yourself is that they do much, much better if they have both knees done at once. This is because they are not guarding one knee more than the other.

3 months time is cutting it close, but you should talk to your ortho before to see what restrictions he/ she may impose.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

I have never had it done, but I am a rehab RN. From what I have seen from younger patients such as yourself is that they do much, much better if they have both knees done at once. This is because they are not guarding one knee more than the other.

3 months time is cutting it close, but you should talk to your ortho before to see what restrictions he/ she may impose.

Thank you for your valued assessment. Looks like I've got some research to do. Both knees at once eh? Sounds aggressive but I have heard of it. Just never seen it.

[Audreyfay]

I'm 48 and also suffer from osteoarthritis in both knees. My ortho told me that the cartilege is almost gone. My mother also has osteoarthritis (course she had her hip and knee replacements in her 70's.) I tried the cortisone injection thing. It really did not help much. Then the MD recommended synvisc. It made a significant difference. It can be repeated every 6 months if needed. You might want to ask your ortho about that first?

One of the nurse supervisors I work with had a knee replacement. With the first one, she was back to work at 6 weeks postop, with a cane, of course. She did not need to do a lot of walking on her job. The second knee replacement she was out for 3 months. Everyone is different. I worked on ortho a few years back. Everyone's recovery rate was different. Good luck on your decision.

[stbernardclub]

hi RNKITTYKAT....I also wanted to add that haing them both done at one time would probably be wise, this way you can get rehab and back on your feet good as new all ready for your new career of wearing them out again..haha..just kidding...i am in w. pa working home care...good luck:)

Thank you for your valued assessment. Looks like I've got some research to do. Both knees at once eh? Sounds aggressive but I have heard of it. Just never seen it.

[Euskadi1946]

I got to to the point where I was bone on bone and in so much pain that I had a total knee replacement 5 years ago this coming March and it was a new lease on life. I ambulated the next day on crutches with PT and although I had the pain from surgery, the knee pain was gone and got a gorgeous knee out of it to boot. For me the surgery was a piece of cake but the PT was grueling but necessary and it's absolutely wonderful. Now my other knee and hip are starting to rebel due to compensating for so long for the diseased knee so I may end up with an new knee and a new hip. I would do it again in a heart beat.