Knee Replsacement Surgery Experience

[juliez]

What experience have you had with partial or full knee replacement surgery? What was your recovery like? How has it impacted your tennis game.

I am very confused. I have spoken to 4 surgeons. Two have recommended full knee replacements, two have recommended partial knee replacements. Of the two who recommend full replacement, one would take MRIs of my knee and send them off to whoever supplies replacements; the other uses less of a "custom knee". Of the two doctors who would do partial replacement, one uses a method called Maaco which uses an MRI for laser guiding of the surgeon; the other is laproscopic but not as customized.

I am 66 year old 4.0 who likes to play daily. Any insights would be very much appreciated.

[ATP100]

Put it off as long as possible......

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by juliez

What experience have you had with partial or full knee replacement surgery? What was your recovery like? How has it impacted your tennis game.

I am very confused. I have spoken to 4 surgeons. Two have recommended full knee replacements, two have recommended partial knee replacements. Of the two who recommend full replacement, one would take MRIs of my knee and send them off to whoever supplies replacements; the other uses less of a "custom knee". Of the two doctors who would do partial replacement, one uses a method called Maaco which uses an MRI for laser guiding of the surgeon; the other is laproscopic but not as customized.

I am 66 year old 4.0 who likes to play daily. Any insights would be very much appreciated.

Look-up Makoplasty. Maaco is good for surface rust

[juliez]

I am already not playing. I have tried almost everything: synvisc, cortisone, Physical therapy, unloading brace and platelet rich plasma

[juliez]

Sorry about the spelling error. Have you or any tennis player you know had experience with Makoplasty?

[ruerooo]

Originally Posted by juliez

I am already not playing. I have tried almost everything: synvisc, cortisone, Physical therapy, unloading brace and platelet rich plasma

I'm sorry - I don't know your injury history. Wouldn't it depend at least in part on that?

Tsonga and I both have torn menisci, except I have a bucket-handle tear and he doesn't. I've opted for the non-surgery method, but I'm still struggling with constant rebuilding from muscular atrophy b/c my range of motion is limited ... but people that I know who've had my injury and who aren't superstars have had surgery and haven't had the best results.

So I think I'd be doing a lot of asking of my docs as to *why* they're recommending partial over full, or vice versa ... and also what they expect your prospects will be to keep playing, with proper rehab, afterward, should you decide to get a procedure done.

[Chas Tennis]

Here is a recent thread with some information. There are many more in this forum.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...re+Chas+Tennis

Suggest that you call & get the written report of your X Ray and MRI imaging. Usually a specialist at the imaging lab will write the report and send a copy to your Dr. The MRI has a check list of all the knee structures with any observed conditions. For example, 'A is normal, B is torn, C shows arthritic deterioration, D has a grade II tear,......', etc. Study the anatomy of the knee and research all the mentioned terms and conditions. One X Ray of the knee is positioned to show cartilage spacing, the cartilage thickness can be an indication of the degree of arthritis. Discuss with your Dr.

Find a well qualified Dr & quality hospital even if located at some distance.

[ollinger]

Partial knee replacement -- easier surgery, quicker recovery, but may not last as long, might need to be re-done sooner, perhaps less than 10 years.
Total knee replacement -- more complicated procedure, more arduous recovery, probably lasts longer, usually over 10 years.
All good orthopedists will tell you that an activity like tennis will likely shorten the time until you need repeat surgery. My wife had partial two years ago, doing quite well. An in-law who was an avid tennis player had a total, attachment to the bone collapsed in about two years. If I had one done, I would definitely limit my tennis to doubles.

[ollinger]

(addendum -- I firmly believe 66 year olds should not play daily. Allows no time for articular surfaces to recover and remold.)

[LeeD]

There are some players here who say it's possible to play tennis after replacement surgeries.
In my limited experience by knowing 5 guys who had it, in every case, they COULD play tennis, bike, or ski and windsurf, but the THREAT of a reinjury where the cells around the joint will be damaged so they can never accept another artificial joint is too great, and they all QUIT doing athletic activities in favor of hiking, bird watching, and low impact sports like kayaking.