I am a 37 year old female. I am a Physical Education Instructor and have had 5 scopes to my left knee, the last one being last June. I was told that I would need a knee replacement, but I am too young that I would need to wait as long as I could. I was told I have arthritis that is graded 3A. I have have several cortisone shots as well as the synvic injections and anti inflammatories for the past year. I have great difficulty sleeping at night due to pain and by the end of a teaching day I can barely walk. My knee is like a balloon now and I have difficulty in bending it to go down stairs. I am now experiencing hip and back pain. I feel like my knee is hindering my job. If I have the surgery what should I expect as far as rehab and how long before I would be able to return to work after a knee replacement. I was a very active person however have a hard time doing anything anymore because of the pain. Please help with any suggestions.

-- Missy Schmitt (mapschmitt@cinci.rr.com), May 20, 2002

Answers

Dear Missy,

It is true that you are quite young to be considering knee replacement. But there are some alternatives procedures for young people with a high level of activity such as you. It is difficult to discuss these alternatives without a complete evaluation. We cannot give specific treatment recommendations over the internet. But this site gives instructions on how to make an appointment with me for a complete evaluation of your problem.

I hope this helps and we apologize for the delay in our response.

-- Dr Timothy S. Johnson (tjohns55@jhmi.edu), October 16, 2002.

Hi Guys,

I am a healthy 48 year old guy who has suffered with my right knee for some 26 years. Soccer injury when I was 22. I have just seen my surgeon today who has informed me that I need a partial or full knee replacement dpending on the condition of my ligaments.

Although I am very young I feel that its all about quality of life. Over the last 26 years I have had operations and all sorts of treatment and I feel that I need to just accept that the operation is needed and fight for another day.

I would however be interested in what you are proposing as alternative treatments.

Thanks

Glyn

-- Glyn (robertsglyn@btconnect.com), November 04, 2003.