Knee Replacement

[Bummer Knees]

Several of us on this forum are facing future knee replacements.
Some of us have questions that others may be able to answer
I feel that those of us with "knee issues" could benefit from sharing our stories.

That is why I have started this thread.

[punk]

Great idea!! I'm not a knee person...but wanted to let you know that I think you had a great idea. Although, I am a nurse so I might be able to answer some questions...if not, I can always point you in the right direction!! I'm sure the other 'knee folks' appreciate this and your thoughtfullness!

[Bummer Knees]

Okay, time to share my story.

I worked 10 yrs in an Early Childhood Center as a teacher. 11/05 while kneeling & lifting a child from the floor, I injured my knees. I reported my injury to the office the next and took that day off, returning to work the next day.

I went to a dr on my own 12/05, I was never given direction on how to approach work comp. Eventually I was referred to a wc dr and found to have tears of the lateral & medial meniscus. I was found to have preexisting asteoarthritis of the left knee. I continued to work with restrictions and had surgery 3/17/06 followed by pt.

I have had no known knee injuries previous to wc, so the asteoarthritis
was a surprise. Previous to the wc injury I worked 7 hr day, was a 4-H community leader and would take groups of children on the nature trails and bicycle ride.

After surgery I continued to have problems with giving & locking of the knee. I never received treatment for my other knee.

I was released with no restrictions and returned to work for two weeks working four hour days. To do so I would ice my knee 3 hrs in the evening. This was 6/06.

I hired an attorney 8/06 to re-open my medical was sent to the first of 4 drs for IME reports, all said I needed a total knee replacement of the left knee and was had over use injuries of the right knee.

12/06 wc judge sent me to a dr in Kansas City for another MRI, wc refused to pay for replacement and the judge wanted another opinion.

Feb 07 I had surgery on my right knee, meniscus tear.

April 07 I was released with no restriction on my right knee, wc dr noted in his report I was having back pain due to my altered gait.
I am seeking treatment for my back by private health insurance, it is possible I may need surgery; my attorney is seeking to get wc to pay for my back.

Also received report from KC dr., wc doctor, this is what it reads:

ASSSESSMENTS:
1. Pre-existing osteoarthritis left knee, with associated genu valgus.
This condition was exacerbated by her work injury 11/05.
2. Status post left knee arthroscopy 3/06.
3. Status post right knee arthroscopy 2/07.

SOCIAL HISTORY
Currently I use a cane to get around and have to limit the amount of time I am on my feet. I have to have someone clean my house and can no longer do my yard work. I have not sleep thru the night in over a year.

Based on the KC dr report my attorney wants to go before the judge to schedule a hearing to seek wc to pay for my replacement. The Spine Institute tells me my back my take priority.

And I founout last week I need surgery on my hand due to DJD.

Any thoughts?

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Well, all I know, I'm still hoping the shots ( injections ) work. I do know, one time my knee was bothering me real bad. I went to ortho, and he done something from behind my knee that hurt like heck, for less then a second, even though it felt like an hour. And my knee didn't hurt after that. Then injection of steriod, and I was ok for about 6 weeks. In fact the steriod gave me better results then now. It has been noticed that the lower part of my leg (from the knee down ) is like twisting out ward, foot and all, doesn't seem right. Does it. So it is telling me, something is taken on a change in the knee area. I hear people getting the replacement done abd are better off, but now my other knee is starting to become a problem too. This isn't good in my book at all.

[Bummer Knees]

Bad Boy

It sounds as if you may have over use of the knee with your other knee.
The doctors tell me this is common when one knee is injured, we end up accommodating with the other leg and soon you have over use of the knee.

I had one shot in my over use knee. The shot helped for one week.
The second appointment the dr kept pushing me to have another shot and I said no, it didn't work the first time, I selected to have two more weeks of physical therapy.
The third appointment the dr told me "If the first shot doesn’t work, a second one won't" surgery was scheduled.

In dealing with over use of the knee, physical therapy is very important, doing lots of strengthen exercises.

I also have trouble with my foot twisting out that was the first thing the dr noticed about my leg.

The decision whether work comp pays for my knee replacement is now up to the judge. Dr says I have a preexisting condition of arthritis.
I have never been to a dr on my knee, previous to my work injury and did not know I had a medical condition.

Previous to my injury I preformed all of my job duties, bending, kneeling, and lifting of children all day, everyday in my duties as an Early Childhood Teacher.

[Pooh]

you can look up information about replacements at

http://www.aboutjoints.com