Just back from hospital had a small operation very upset, just over a year ago they rebuilt my right knee, as it had been eaten away, they rebuilt my knee cap with metal etc, then parts of my bone structure. All very clever, but 6 months ago I fell over and thought I had torn a ligiment, sueing people for bad timber man made slope, turns out the RA has caused more bone to have to be cut away and a clean up job undertaken, but they say I need a new knee which they will not give me as I am too young. I am 64 this year, how old do I need to be before I off crutches?. They say If it does go again within the next year then they will give me a new knee.
3 operations to get to a final one and they say the health service is in trouble, I think this shows why. Am I the only one this type of thing has happened to?.

David

Hi David

I'm sorry to hear you are being treated so badly.

I had both my knee replacements when I was 61 and there were absolutely no problems at all. I was told that RA patients are a special case when it comes to replacements.

Several of the forum members have had replacements when in their 20's and I think you should take Doreen's advice and ask for a second opinion. It could help (although I know it shouldn't be necessary) to find the best specialist knee surgeon in your part of the country, go for a private appointment with him and ask to be transferred onto his NHS list for the surgery. It usally works.

Don't give up - it's your life that is being compromised by this ridiculous attitude.

Love Jeanxxxx

Hi David,

I was told I was too young for hip replacements at 43, by my Rheumatologist and GP. In desperation, I phoned a Rheumy Nurse Practitioner who overcame the problem by referring me for physio, which we knew wouldn't help and then seeing a different GP in the same practice. Once I got to see the Surgeon, almost a year later, he offered to replace both my hips straightaway.

I think it depends on the surgeon as to whether they will do replacements on younger people. My surgeon's in his 40's, so my philosophy is he's old enough to have had plenty of surgery experience but not too old to have out of date views. As others have said, shop around!