Knee Replacement Advances?

[Raul_SJ]

A guy at my club had a knee replacement (from wear and tear) in March and is now coming back onto the doubles court and seems to be moving well.

He said he was restricted to playing 2 times a week due to knee pain prior to replacement, but wanted to play more frequently.

Is there much downside risk for this procedure?

[ollinger]

Knee replacements don't last forever. Go easy on it and there's a good chance you'll need surgery again in about 10 years 15 if you're lucky. Play tennis on it and you'll likely need surgery sooner. A second cousin of mine had it done, played lots of tennis, and the thing collapsed after about 6 months (the bony cracked under supports).

[Raul_SJ]

Originally Posted by ollinger

Knee replacements don't last forever. Go easy on it and there's a good chance you'll need surgery again in about 10 years 15 if you're lucky. Play tennis on it and you'll likely need surgery sooner. A second cousin of mine had it done, played lots of tennis, and the thing collapsed after about 6 months (the bony cracked under supports).

After the surgery and recovery period (~10 months) the pain will be reduced
and the mobility will be better than before the surgery.

Is that the general expectation?

[ollinger]

^^ absolutely. My wife had what's called a partial knee replacement a year or two ago and now has no pain.

[movdqa]

A friend at my club had this done (he's in his 70s), plays three times a week and runs daily. He says that it feels great. He's in really good muscular shape too.

I didn't ask him about pain but I don't think that he would be as active as he is if he had a lot of pain issues.

[Raul_SJ]

Originally Posted by movdqa

A friend at my club had this done (he's in his 70s), plays three times a week and runs daily. He says that it feels great. He's in really good muscular shape too.

I didn't ask him about pain but I don't think that he would be as active as he is if he had a lot of pain issues.

But he runs the risk of quickly wearing out the knee replacement.

All the guys with knee replacements I've talked to, say their doctors advise against running and singles tennis.

[drak]

Originally Posted by Raul_SJ

But he runs the risk of quickly wearing out the knee replacement.

All the guys with knee replacements I've talked to, say their doctors advise against running and singles tennis.

Correct, play on clay or grass and life expectancy of knee replacement will be much better, hard courts tale a toll. 6 months however is ridiclous and an anomaly. I'd say 5-10 years is a likely life expectancy for someone who plays frequently - there are a ton of variables however.

[Chas Tennis]

Does anyone know what happens to an artificial knee that indicates failure? Symptoms?

[charliefedererer]

Originally Posted by Chas Tennis

Does anyone know what happens to an artificial knee that indicates failure? Symptoms?

The most common symptom is pain, often accompanied by swelling and instability:
What Are the Symptoms of a Failing Knee Replacement? http://www.livestrong.com/article/96...#ixzz2JRGl2zo7