Have any of you had knee replacement surgery? Was it successful or not? Am contemplating it and am terrified!

I've had both knees replaced (not at the same time) in my 50s. For me recovery was easy compared to the pain of my pre-surgery knees. It was life changing - I could walk again. I am thrilled to have it done. My mother had her knees replaced in her 70s - again that went smoothly. So did my sister - again things went very well. Most of the people I know who have had the surgery are VERY happy they had it done.

However I have had two friends who have had awful problems with their knee replacements. In both cases it was lack of good follow-up after the surgery. So I recommend:
1) Finding an excellent surgeon. Interview more than one. Ask about not just the surgery but follow-up. In my case it was the physicians assistant that did the follow-up and he was excellent. So it doesn't need to be the surgeon himself.
2) Read up on the surgery and recovery as much as possible, so you know what is normal and what to expect. One friend did not do this, and when she fell through the cracks in ordering follow-up physical therapy (a HUGE error on the surgeons part), she did not realize that she should have had it.
3)Listen to your body and if you have ANY questions about problems get a 2nd opinion. My other friend was having lots of pain, but her surgeon dismissed her complaints multiple times as normal recovery problems. It turns out that she had infections in the knees which in the end required long term antibiotics and replacement of the knees (again). If you are having a problem and the surgeon does not listen to you, go find someone else who will!

My friend in her early 50s had one knee done. The recovery process was LONG. She did her PT and everything according to the book. She was still in intense pain for over six months after the surgery. It's not for sissies, nor is it a cure-all.

My friend successfully put off knee replacement surgery with shots of some "liquid" (dang, can't remember the name of it!!) This stuff went into the knee joint and lubricated it and it lasted about 6 months each time. She did end up with both knees being replaced, but she is a very active and healthy 71. I know she did the shots for about 10 years.

Mother had both knees done in her late 70's--sadly, since she isn't active or willing to put in the PT, she has really gone downhill, mobility wise. It's up to the patient, a LOT as to the outcome, good or bad. Also, if you do this, you make sure you vet the surgeon really well!!

My mother had both knees replaced, she had in mind keeping active. It really didn’t turn out that way as the new steel knees threw her alignment in the pelvis and hips off balance, resulting in her having her Right hip replacement done. The few years after the hip surgery she was in considerable pain and then went back to the surgeon who declined to do the left hip, that is splintered causing intense pain. She’s too old now, at 85 years old, to be under anesthesia.

So all that and she lost her mobility anyway. Plus she’s in chronic pain. Losing her mobility and being unable to do the things she enjoyed in life brought on depression and dementia. I’m not saying she didn’t need something done, as she was ‘bone on bone’ and I haven’t heard of the additional padding that can be applied to relieve that situation. The medical care is bad in my state.

Freqflyer - Thanks so much. I think "other options" is what I wanted to hear. Happy New Year! Edie

Edie, see if there are any other options instead of knee replacement surgery. From what I have heard, it can take quite some time for rehab. Depending on your age, if you are in your 80's or 90's it could take a year to recover. Thus you will need someone to be at home with you to help you, and to take you to rehab.

Now a days there are options such as a gel that be placed into the knee if your problem is bone on bone. I think it would be worth looking into.