Youngish and a Knee Replacement.?

[Disney Ontario]

Hi. Is anyone under the age of 45 and has had a knee replacement, here in Ontario? I think that is the next best choice for me. I am to go for an MRI in May but I think I already know the answer to get rid of all the pain. We are planning on Disney next Feb or March next year and I WANT to enjoy our trip for once. How long should I exspect to be off my feet? Being a wife and mother even to two teenage DDs nothing would ever get done around here.

 

[bookbabe626]

I haven't had a whole replacement, but I did have knee surgery a couple of summers ago (in my mid 30's) - repairing a torn meniscus that caused my knee to lock up when I bent it. I visited Disney just before the surgery and again about three months, and had no real problems, other than some achy days from too much walking. I was wearing a knee brace before, and still occasionally do now, and one thing that helped was requesting one of the "accessible" rooms, so that it had a walk-in shower rather than the tub/shower combo that you have to bend your knee to climb into. Overall, I think I had an easier time of it at Disney post-surgery than pre-surgery.

A whole replacement is a bit more complicated, I'm told, but you're still up and moving around really fast. My FIL had a hip replaced a month ago and they had him up and walking (with a walker) the next day...and he's in his 70's. Now, he's moving WAY better than he did pre-replacement, although they still won't let him bend the hip to 90% or more. Theoretically, someone younger should recover at least as quickly...

 

[ntsammy5]

I had several surgeries over the years, but had the knee replaced last year when I was 60. I had a little trouble early on with range of motion (not uncommon with younger poatients) but after about 3 weeks recovery was very fast. It was the smartest thing I ever did. I wish I had done it years ago, but since I was still in the army up until 5 years ago, I would have had to get out and that didn't appeal to me. Good luck.

BTW I went to WDW at 8 & 11 months after surgery and had no problems -- also hiked a short section of AT at 6 months. Again good luck!

 

[bababear_50]

Sending you HUGS and Best wishes Hon

Hugs Mel

Remember you are only as young/old as you wish in Disney

 

[natcat]

Hoping good thoughts for you and knowing your anguish because I am also a Mom and Wife under 45 with a bum knee.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I have major joint problems that started with my knees. I've been to several specialist and they all said that I will need replacement surgery but they won't even talk about it until I'm over the age of 60. Apparently, OHIP won't pay until then.

Guess what? I'm only 36

I've just had a bunch of new tests done so hopefully they can come up with some sort of plan to get me a little pain relief. If not It'll be an ECV for me at the world this summer.

 

[plowgirl]

Hi:
After many many " rinses" I call them where they go into the knee through tiny incisions and clean the knee out. I had a knee replacement done. Was up dancing at our daughter's wedding and that was about 3 mon. after. But paid for it the next day.
Good luck to you

 

[dancingmomca]

I currently work on an orthopaedic floor(physio) and my patients are predominantly total hip and knee replacements. First off there is no age limit at which surgery is covered by the provincial health plan. A few years ago patients were usually being advised to wait til they were in at least their 60's as the younger you were the more likely you would face a revision(or re-replacement) down the road. These days more and more patients are in their 40's and occassionally younger. The youngest total hip replacement patient I have seen was 18. These days it's a quality of life question and whether or not the knee(or hip) is truly in need of replacement.
A previously writer commented that his/her father in law was up walking the next day and that it our practice. Average length of stay is 4-5 days and an uncomplicated replacement with good recovery could be expected to back to most regular activities in 6-12 weeks, keeping in mind each person heals and recovers differently.
Good luck.

 

[plowgirl]

Hi again:
I forgot to mention that I had my replacement done when I was 42. My doctor said at the time that I was way too young but we had run out of options. It's been 10 yrs now and it's still is fairly good.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I currently work on an orthopaedic floor(physio) and my patients are predominantly total hip and knee replacements. First off there is no age limit at which surgery is covered by the provincial health plan. A few years ago patients were usually being advised to wait til they were in at least their 60's as the younger you were the more likely you would face a revision(or re-replacement) down the road. These days more and more patients are in their 40's and occassionally younger. The youngest total hip replacement patient I have seen was 18. These days it's a quality of life question and whether or not the knee(or hip) is truly in need of replacement.

Boy do I feel lied to ....the orthopedic surgeon flat out told me OHIP wouldn't pay until I was over 60. Not that I want to have a replacement...I don't.... I just need some answers and some pain relief.

It just adds to all the conflicting info that I've been given. Every DR and therapist I've seen has told be something different. I'm in a total state of frustation