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Knee replacements how far apart? Options
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Dinos
#1 Posted : Friday, March 05, 2010 4:57:46 PM Quote
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Joined: 1/16/2010
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Location: Warwickshire


Hi everyone,

I am going to have my knees replaced next year or the year after I was just wondering how far apart you can have knee replacements? As in left knee right knee.

Also can you get ceramic knee replacements?

Many thanks

Dinos
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Tabbycat
#2 Posted : Saturday, March 06, 2010 11:22:14 AM Quote
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Hi Dinos,

I haven't had my knees replaced, but have had two right hips and am about to have my left done very soon. From what I've seen on the ward, recovery from hips is much the same as knees, i.e. out of bed the next day, mobilising with a physio and as soon as you can manage stairs you can go home on crutches or frame. I've seen most patients discharged after 4-7 days.

How quickly you can have a second knee done would depend how well you recover from the first, but all being well, probably 3 months later would be the earliest, once you've healed and strengthened muscles around your new knee to be able to weight bear whilst the other knee is recovering. I know with hips it takes 12 weeks for everything to heal inside around the capsule.

If you don't mind me asking, why are you waiting 1-2 years before going ahead?

My first new hip was a full ceramic but my revision is half ceramic. As for ceramic knees, I'm not sure, but I know each surgeon has his/her own ideas what is best for each patient and depending upon your age, what kind of wear you're going to get from it. The younger you are, the more likely you'll be given a ceramic, providing its available.

Everyone having hips and knees replaced is asked to join the National Joint Registry, but its not compulsory.

http://www.njrcentre.org.../njrcentre/default.aspx






Carol
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jeanb
#3 Posted : Saturday, March 06, 2010 1:20:20 PM Quote
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Location: Timperley
Hi Dinos

Thought this may be of interest - taken from the BBC website

"Longer-lasting knee joints hailed

The material in the joint is used in racing car engines
A hard-wearing material used in jet engines is providing a new source of long-lasting knee replacements.
Younger people are often not given knee surgery because the joints can wear out and patients require subsequent operations which are less successful.

But surgeons say ceramic knee joints last longer than standard implants, which often need replacing after 10 to 15 years.

They claim they offer up to 85% improvement in wear and tear over standard knee implants, which are made out of cobalt chrome.

This new knee works better than my healthy normal knee

The Oxinium joints, manufactured by the British company Smith & Nephew, are made of zirconium metal, which is heated, converting the surface to a ceramic.

This means it is more "slippery", reducing the friction with the other part of the replaced joint, which is made of plastic, but still has a strong core."

I had both my knees replaced, three months apart and can honestly say it's the best thing I have ever done. I was up and walking the day after each op and all the awful RA pain had gone. Of course, the knee is stiff where the muscles have been cut and stitched, but it's not the grinding pain you get with RA and easy to cope with.

Can I ask why you are waiting for 1 or 2 years before you have the replacements?

Love Jeanx
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Dinos
#4 Posted : Saturday, March 06, 2010 2:19:25 PM Quote
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Location: Warwickshire
Thank you Tabbycat and Jean for your responses.

I had my left hip replaced in May 2008 and right hip replaced August 2009 both going really well these are hybrid ceramics, so next year will get my left knee done followed by my right. The reason for the gap really is I just felt I needed a rest from surgary for a bit as the recovery is fairly fast but overal it does take some time for the body to recover swelling, clotting injections, sleep patten, etc and really ties you up for 3-6 months the other reason is I want to start a college course this year so do not want any breaks from it.

Yes I am on the National Joint Registry, the time recovery really sounds very good as Tabbycat said I remember now others in the ward who had knees operated on getting out of bed the next day.

Thanks for the information Jean from the BBC that all sounds great news.. I do hope the BBC do not get rid of the health section from their websote as it is very good and accurate.

Thank you both again.

Dinos
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Joanne C
#5 Posted : Saturday, March 06, 2010 2:23:50 PM Quote
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Dinos!!

Welcome to the forum, really nice to see you here. ThumpUp

I can understand you wanting a break for the surgery, some years it seems like all I've done is be in hospital or recovering from an operation.

Look forward to seeing you again sometime this year.

best wishes

Jo.
2012 Fundraising for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RoboJo
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Dinos
#6 Posted : Sunday, March 07, 2010 11:29:27 AM Quote
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Location: Warwickshire
Hi Jo,

Its good to hear from you! Hope you are keeping well?

I hear you are doing some sponsored events I would be interested in sponsoring you, how do I go about it?

All the best

Dinos
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Joanne C
#7 Posted : Sunday, March 07, 2010 2:20:19 PM Quote
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Hi Dinos

I'm hoping to do a sponsored abseil for NRAS, as soon as I've had an entry form from the organisers I'll be spamming the forums like I did for my rail race :)

Take care

Jo.
2012 Fundraising for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RoboJo
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Dinos
#8 Posted : Sunday, March 07, 2010 8:56:47 PM Quote
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Location: Warwickshire
I will look out for that Jo, Smile Thanks.

Jo I saw another posting you did just on here regarding the Solihul group about an accessible entrance is that still the case?

I went to the last meeting and the was a steep step not ideal for wheelchair users or people with painful and less mobile hips.

Do you know if there is an accessible flat entrance to that room? or even a ramp? to avoid the step.

Thank you Jo, I might had gone to the wrong entrance you see and noot realised the was more the one.

All the best

Dinos
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