Hi Everyone,
This place is the greatest! I came across this forum two days ago while browsing the web looking for information on partial knee replacement.

I am 61 and have both rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. I have had lots of problems with both diseases; double heart bypass, neurological problems, lots of orthopedic surgeries, pulmonary problems, etc, etc. Until three months ago I have never had problems with my knees except for occasional aches.

On Oct. 30 our daughter had a baby and she lives in a two story apartment. I walked up and down the steps in her apartment very often taking care of her and the baby. One morning a few days later I woke up unable to walk. I mean REALLY unable to walk! My husband had to go rent a wheelchair. I went to an orthopedist and he ordered an MRI which showed that I had a small meniscal tear and some osteoarthritis, nothing major. In other words, there was nothing there that would account for the amount of pain I was having. He said goodbye, see ya later.

I had a feeling that he thought that I was making the whole thing up. I then went to a sports medicine clinic here in Los Angeles; they take care of the LA Lakers and the LA Dodges, the LA hockey team, etc. I figured that if they could handle the Lakers, they could handle a 61 year old crying woman. This doctor ordered a new MRI 9 (2 weeks after the first) and it showed extensive bone swelling, bone on bone, and many small fractures. The meniscus had totally torn and was trashed. I have no idea why the two MRIs would show such different things.

He then referred me to an OS who is an expert in partial knee replacement; my damage was only in the medial portion of the knee. I saw him on Friday and he said that I indeed could have the partial replacement. The surgery is scheduled for February 26th. I am concerned that I should be having a total knee replacement vs. the partial. This doctor truly is an expert in partials; he does many, many a year. He says that I am an excellent candidate.

I am nervous about this. Tomorrow I am going to call my rheumatologist and ask him what he thinks. I am SO happy to have found you all. You have some fabulous information and I love reading about what everyone is going through with their knees. Thank you all so much for being here.

Nancy in Los Angeles

Well, it rather depends upon the OS's ability to read the MRI films. There are so many sub-specialities within orthopaedics and if you didn't go to a specific knee surgeon, he may not have had the skill to evaluate them properly. If he was, supposedly, a knee surgeon, then I can't think what his problem was!

For sure, when I read your history, it seemed very apparent he was way off the mark.

One is torn here between a surgeon who is, reputedly, an 'expert' in partials and if you trust him to make a good call, and the fact that you have rheumatoid arthritis. I'd also be a bit dubious about the findings such as you describe being truly confined to one compartment.

In short, I think you are right to be concerned but you still have time to see at least one, preferably two, other knee surgeons and get their alternative opinions. Were I in your shoes, I would certainly be reluctant to go ahead without.

__________________
Left arthroscopic menisectomy 4th October 09
RTKR 17th March 09
Right arthroscopy June 06

Please post in forums; PMs and emails for personalized help are not community oriented and will not be answered. Also search the Library and other threads for information. Thanks.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

Administrator is an orthopaedic nurse of 50+ years experience in joint replacement.

Hi Nancy, read your post and thought I should offer a thought or two..
I just had LTKR on January 18th..13 days ago..
I, too, went to a top sports doctor in Houston..Doctor to the Rockets..etc,,he sais I was a perfect candidate for partial knee replacement..I scheduled the surgery..flew back to Mexico where I live and made plans to return a few weeks later for the surgery.

Then I discovered this forum..read some posts, got some really good advice and decided that maybe I didn't know enough about what I was going to do..

Please read my thread "Marquesa: new strategy for knee replacement"..long story short..went back to Houston and interviewed a total of 4 more doctors..after extensive reasearch and one of the members here, sharing his research with me.

4 out of 5 doctors all toldme I was good for partial replacement..the 5th said that I would be back in 2 to three years for a total..He only does knees..has a more than poor opinion of partial replacements and has the most satisfied group of patients you can imagine..he also said it was near impossible ,( in his opinion) to know exactly what the situation is behind the knee cap until surgery.

Please look into this very carefully. make sure you get opinions from the most experienced surgeons who specialize in knees.

Look up their record with the American Medical Association of doctors..look to see if anyone has posted a complaint about the doctor (I was amazed to find that one of the "experts" I interviewed with had several complaints listed on line with one of those sites where doctors are rated. and even three disciplinary actions by the AMA!)

I decided on the TKR and feel I have made the right decision.

I am not advising you what surgery to have..but to really research this, get good opinions from good doctors before you decide. It's a major surgery and very big decision anyway you do it..

I wish you the best. This forum is the best place to start , much experience and wisdom here.
Marquesa

Hi Marquesa,
Thanks for your reply. I think that you and Josephine are right; I am going to see a couple of other surgeons and see what they say. I hope that I can get in to see them soon because my surgery is scheduled for the end of Feb. Maybe my rheumatologist can call and get me in. The last thing I want to do is to have to have a TKR in a year or two. This forum is really special; I am SO glad that I have found you all.

Nancy

Hi, Nancy.....welcome to BoneSmart. We're really glad you found us too!!!

I think you are making the right move to get some additional opinions. In my opinion, NOTHING would be worse than finding out AFTER a partial that you really should have had a full knee replacement.

__________________
RTKR - February 29, 2008

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

Hello Nancy so nice to meet you. I am glad that you are going to see a few more OS's for opinons before you go with the Partial. Please keep us up to date on all of it.

__________________
^i^
RTKR 01-14-2009 - MUA 03-06-2009 - MUA 06-17-2009 - SCOPE O8-26-09
LTKR 03-06-2009 - MUA 06-17-2009 - MUA 08-26-2009 - SCOPE 10-16-09