The bionic woman returns home.

Warrigal

Warrigal

SF VIP
Location
Sydney, Australia
More and more I am becoming the bionic woman. I am about to be discharged from the rehabilitation hospital after my second knee replacement operation. Since 2015 I have had one hip, two knees and two shoulders replaced.

There is not a lot left of the original me when it comes to joints.

Each and every operation, including this one, has been very successful and the removal of pain is wonderful.

I still have two therapy sessions (pool and gym) per week as an outpatient for the next 4 weeks. If anyone is contemplating similar operations, I can really recommend professional guidance during the recovery process. Physiotherapy for these situations is specialised, especially for elderly patients (I am 75).
 

OP: My goodness, I had one hip replacement in 2010 and it's left me pretty much on a disabled list...a walker is my best friend now. I have a nasty knee but will not let a knife near me again if I can make the decision.

When I was in a rehab for a staph infection with the knee in 2016 I met a woman and I thought it was you as she had every joint replaced.

What do those surgeons do down under that they don't up here? I had the anterior and it's supposed to be the best, but my whole thigh is numb from nerve damage. That was in 2010 and I was 72, and now 80. If I had to do it over, I may not.

I have problem shoulders and ankle but living with it.

I can't help but wonder what caused all your damage to your joints.

I danced and exercised all my life, many years for sure, and I know that caused more joint destruction and sugars and carbs.
 

My responses in blue.

jaminhealth said:
OP: My goodness, I had one hip replacement in 2010 and it's left me pretty much on a disabled list...a walker is my best friend now. I have a nasty knee but will not let a knife near me again if I can make the decision.

When I was in a rehab for a staph infection with the knee in 2016 I met a woman and I thought it was you as she had every joint replaced.
Well, there is one problem that should not happen - staph infection. Every time I have fronted up for surgery I have had a battery of blood tests, including for HIV, and nose and groin swabs for staph. A positive test doesn't rule out an operation but it does inform the surgeon who takes appropriate action to prevent spread to others.

What do those surgeons do down under that they don't up here? I had the anterior and it's supposed to be the best, but my whole thigh is numb from nerve damage. That was in 2010 and I was 72, and now 80. If I had to do it over, I may not.
A lot depends on the skill of the surgeon. My GP (primary carer) is very particular about who he refers me too. Also, we don't have a system where the health insurer can dictate who will be performing the surgery. All of my operations have been anterior approach. Nerve damage is always a risk and my husband was unlucky with his back operation. He has been left with a "drop foot" caused by that operation.

I have problem shoulders and ankle but living with it.

I can't help but wonder what caused all your damage to your joints.
Just wear and tear, and probably a genetic weakness of the cartilage. Osteoarthritis is common in my family but osteoporosis is practically unknown. Strong bones but weak cartilage?

I danced and exercised all my life, many years for sure, and I know that caused more joint destruction and sugars and carbs.
I have never been one for regular exercise apart from what I got from my daily activities. As a teacher, I was on my feet a lot but after retirement I have become a lot less physically active. I guess very body has its weak points. Mines seems to be the major joints. The feet and hands are fine.
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Butterfly said:
I have had both hips replaced and both were very successful. New hips gave me my life back -- no exaggeration.
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The only good outcome was NO MORE GROIN pain, but shorter leg, femoral nerve damage and IT Band damage are the complications from the THR 8 yrs ago. I didn't know from months that it was a shorter leg that was throwing my body so off and then it was too late, I wear lifts and orthotics in shoe but damage was done.

I've been on many replacement forums and I'm not alone, many around the world have issues.


The staph infection is not a result of the THR, but years later while getting injections in my knee, MD hit wrong spot and ouch, and a short time after I was falling and it turned out to be staph infection.

But I think my body has suffered a lot since THR in 2010. OA was there but now MORE.

On surgeons, the one who did mine came highly recommended and he does good work but not on my body he did NOT. These surgeries are crapshoots.
 
One of the precautions I have been following to avoid infections post op is to take penicillin before any dental work. I take 4 tablets one hour before any treatment, especially root canal. Apparently this dose can kill off any bacteria in the mouth before it can enter the bloodstream and travel to the implanted joint. Some surgeons require it every time, others just for the first 12 months post op.
 
IKE said:
Warri there is no way that I could go through all that you have........you are one tuff lady !
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There is no way I would want to. One replacement was too much in my life. Many have and are willing to live with discomfort vs going to the unknowns. I know now. And I'm still looking at Regenerative Medicine which can keep MANY from the surgeon's knives.

I know some including me who live with discomfort and pain and went thru the replacements. Here in the U.S. it's a very Last Resort avenue.
 
Glad you are home and healing, Warri.

My 84 year old MIL has had a hip and both knees done in the last 5 years. She did very well with all surgeries and says they were the best things she has done. She was in horrible pain for several years before the replacement surgeries and her quality of life is so much better without the joint pain.
 
It's a gamble and glad so many here have had good results with so many replacements in so few years. Wow....too bad so many can't say the same things. My mom used a walker at
the end of her life and she passed at 91, no replacements in her days, and I use a walker and I had a replacement, talk about gambles. And complications. And botched surgeries.
 
I had good results 5 months post op with surgery, and then it all went downhill. Body started all it's settling....including the shorter leg.

It's amazing you've done so many and no issues. I have a friend who did a shoulder surgery and then it was no good so ended up with shoulder replacement and it took a good year of healing. Good for you with your successes. Your issues must have been pretty bad to do so many.
 
Wow, you have been in the wars, haven't you? Glad to hear you are on the mend and have had such a great outcome for your many surgeries.
 

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