? about total knee replacement

[minkydog]

DH had his first Synvisc injection this week and so far, not much has changed. his knee is pretty far gone--bone on bone--and he really needs a total knee replacement. His doctor has pretty much nixed surgery outright. DHs health is precarious and his lungs are shot. The doctor is worried about putting him to sleep for an elective, non-life-threatening procedure. DH could easily go into respiratory failure.

So, I was talking to someone about the Synvisc and they suggested that the knee replacement could be done under local anethesia. Now, I have to tell ya, the very first surgery I ever watched in nursing school was a TKR. I did fine until the surgeon fired up that saw and then I hit the deck, contaminating everything in my path, including hte instruments, surgeon and the operating field. So just from the little bit that I saw, I can't even imagine having it done under local!

So, educate me, oh great and powerful DIS doctors.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

DH had his first Synvisc injection this week and so far, not much has changed. his knee is pretty far gone--bone on bone--and he really needs a total knee replacement. His doctor has pretty much nixed surgery outright. DHs health is precarious and his lungs are shot. The doctor is worried about putting him to sleep for an elective, non-life-threatening procedure. DH could easily go into respiratory failure.

So, I was talking to someone about the Synvisc and they suggested that the knee replacement could be done under local anethesia. Now, I have to tell ya, the very first surgery I ever watched in nursing school was a TKR. I did fine until the surgeon fired up that saw and then I hit the deck, contaminating everything in my path, including hte instruments, surgeon and the operating field. So just from the little bit that I saw, I can't even imagine having it done under local!

So, educate me, oh great and powerful DIS doctors.

I work on an orthopedics floor and when we have patients that cant go under, some drs will do spinals...maybe he can have something to calm him down but still be awake????

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My mom just had her hip replaced 3 months ago with spinal anesthetic.

 

[buckler]

Here's a medical article about anesthesia options during total knee replacement.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00372

 

[chrismiss56]

DH had his first Synvisc injection this week and so far, not much has changed. his knee is pretty far gone--bone on bone--and he really needs a total knee replacement. His doctor has pretty much nixed surgery outright. DHs health is precarious and his lungs are shot. The doctor is worried about putting him to sleep for an elective, non-life-threatening procedure. DH could easily go into respiratory failure.

So, I was talking to someone about the Synvisc and they suggested that the knee replacement could be done under local anethesia. Now, I have to tell ya, the very first surgery I ever watched in nursing school was a TKR. I did fine until the surgeon fired up that saw and then I hit the deck, contaminating everything in my path, including hte instruments, surgeon and the operating field. So just from the little bit that I saw, I can't even imagine having it done under local!

So, educate me, oh great and powerful DIS doctors.

I am not a doctor and don't pretend to be oneBUT I am having bilateral (both) knee replacement in 2 months. The doctor will be using an epidural because it doesn't slow the heart and breathing rate down as much. Have you discussed this option with the doctor?

As for the Synvisc - I have three series of this over the last 3 years. It has always been a series of three shots which were given once a week. I never felt relief until the third shot. I do have to admit that this last series (done in January) offered the least amount of relief so I have opted for the knee replacements.

Talk to your doctor and I would also get a second opinion and see what happens.

I can't wait for my new knees

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

 

[GeorgeG]

I was supposed to have a knee replacement last year, but a couple of pesky 90% blockages in my LAD put it off. I just got the green light from my cardiologist to get my new bionic knee so I should have it done over the next few months (have to fit it into my gig schedule). The orthopedic surgeon discussed the options regarding anesthesia and the only option I want is to take a really good nap and wake up with a new knee. I know I won't feel anything with the alternatives, but I prefer to be totally oblivious to the process.

Perhaps, with a general being too risky, they can use a headset with music to block out the sounds of surgery and a blindfold to block out the visuals. Personally, if there was that much risk, I would probably opt to live with the bad knee.

 

[4nana]

This probably fails to compare to a full knee replacement, but DH had a spinal with both his knee surgeries for degenerative joint disease. He feels much more comfortable having a spinal and the ability to watch the monitor during surgery, than going to sleep. I hope things work out for your DH so he can have the surgery without risk and feel better soon.

 

[minkydog]

Thank you so much for the information! I'm a nurse, but peds is my specialty. I never dreamed that this kind of surgery could be done with only a spinal. DH has only had the first Synvisc injection and he goes for the 2nd on Monday. I plan to go with him, to drive, and I think I'll bring this up wiht the doctor. I'm sure he won't want to go ahead with any kind of surgery until we see if there's going to be any benefit to the Synvisc. And there is no time in our family schedule for elective surgery (I've got that space taken already this summer.) But it's good to know that there might be an alternative to living with this terrible pain. DH is only 53, definitely too young to not do anything about it.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

DH had his first Synvisc injection this week and so far, not much has changed. his knee is pretty far gone--bone on bone--and he really needs a total knee replacement. His doctor has pretty much nixed surgery outright. DHs health is precarious and his lungs are shot. The doctor is worried about putting him to sleep for an elective, non-life-threatening procedure. DH could easily go into respiratory failure.

So, I was talking to someone about the Synvisc and they suggested that the knee replacement could be done under local anethesia. Now, I have to tell ya, the very first surgery I ever watched in nursing school was a TKR. I did fine until the surgeon fired up that saw and then I hit the deck, contaminating everything in my path, including hte instruments, surgeon and the operating field. So just from the little bit that I saw, I can't even imagine having it done under local!

So, educate me, oh great and powerful DIS doctors.

I am having the same issue, except I just have asthma. I need both replaced but they will not do them, (any of the 4 doctors I saw!) because I am in my 40's! I cannot imagine having a local done for this at all!!1 let use know what it is you find out! I am curious also!!

 

[merryweather20]

I had an epidural, and then was lightly put under (or they said something like that). I'm not sure what the technical term is, but it sounds similar to what one or two of the other posters mentioned. It didn't take so I was awake for the first knee, I just couldn't move. It wasn't in the least traumatizing. In fact I was pretty happy. They weren't sure they could do both, and I clearly remember my surgeon saying they could start on the second one

I am having the same issue, except I just have asthma. I need both replaced but they will not do them, (any of the 4 doctors I saw!) because I am in my 40's! I cannot imagine having a local done for this at all!!1 let use know what it is you find out! I am curious also!!

I'm 28 and I've had both done and there were people all the way up to 75 in the hospital. Why not in the 40's if you need them

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

I had an epidural, and then was lightly put under (or they said something like that). I'm not sure what the technical term is, but it sounds similar to what one or two of the other posters mentioned. It didn't take so I was awake for the first knee, I just couldn't move. It wasn't in the least traumatizing. In fact I was pretty happy. They weren't sure they could do both, and I clearly remember my surgeon saying they could start on the second one




I'm 28 and I've had both done and there were people all the way up to 75 in the hospital. Why not in the 40's if you need them

Usually called "twilight" not fully asleep but not awake enough to remember, good luck to your hubby and let us know what he decides

 

[Katie Dawn]

My Mom had a TKR early Feb this year and she had a spinal block (and there wasn't a medical need for it that I know of... just standard procedure.) She was also put to "sleep" somehow. BUT, she has a friend who had a TKR just before Christmas last year and she said she was somewhat awake during the procedure... could hear many of those sounds you describe. She must not have had any reaction to it at the time though, because the surgery went fine!
HTH!