timing of knee replacement

[tarak]

I've read through quite a few threads here about knee replacements, but most concerned post-replacement trips, so I thought I'd throw a few questions out there. I have pretty bad arthritis in my right knee from an old karate injury (started to develop about a decade ago). It's gotten progressively worse over the past few months (maybe I'm just getting older and feeling it more). At any rate, I finally decided to see a doctor about it and had an MRI done a few weeks ago. The end result is I'm looking at a partial knee replacement at some point.

We have a trip to Disney planned for January. I'm going to try an injection of synvisc first to see if that helps with pain. Cortisone is a no-go because my ortho is concerned about the steroids damaging the parts of the knee that are totally fine. From what he told me about the synvisc, it works fabulously for some and not at all for others. A friend who had a partial a while back got no relief from the synvisc. Another friend whose mom had it didn't get much out of it, either. So I'm going to try it but operate on the assumption that it likely won't help. I think having the replacement done before our trip is a bad idea. Even assuming I'm mostly recovered, I have four young kids and I'd rather suck it up and hobble through the holidays and Disney than worry about recovering over Christmas and on vacation. I have vicodin left over from a c-section last year (I know - old meds. But if it will get me through, I'll take it).

So the questions:

Has anyone here tried the synvisc? I'm curious about results and if anyone has had luck with it.

I'm sure there are plenty of dis folks who went to the world needing a replacement. How did you cope with things? Would you even consider the replacement before traveling? I know I've said I didn't want to do it before, but I'd love to read the experiences of others. Part of me does wonder if it matters that much because I'll be in pain one way or the other. If I wait until after the trip, I'm going to be recovering in the dead of winter and with my luck we'll have an awful one.

Thanks - and sorry for the tome.

 

[powellrj]

I have had both the synvisc injections and total knee replacement on both knees. I was in my 40's when I had them done, so I was pretty young and also still had young children, so I understand where you are coming from.

By the time I had the synvisc, my knees were shot and my Dr and I assumed they wouldn't help much and they didn't. We had tried PT and an uploader brace, and the insurance wouldn't pay unless we did the injections. It wasn't too bad having them done. I had already been through cortisone injections and they had also stopped working. I would take a chance on them because I do know they work on many people.

I would also wait until after your trip to have the surgery. Rent an ECV and your trip will be fine. I rented one on my last trip before my surgery and I could have gone all day and night! My family was ready to call it a night and I was just getting started! It had been years since I felt that good on a WDW trip!

I will be honest about the pain meds, I try not to use them. This is just my opinion, but I think they prolonged my recovery on my first surgery. I found that extra strenght tylenol was much better than the morphine and vicodin I was prescribed. I know this doesn't work for all people, but I had small children at home and needed to be able to function for them and I think that is why I had an easier recovery than many other people.

 

[jdb in AZ]

DH tried the Synvisc because insurance insisted before resorting to surgery. Synvisc didn't help. He did rent an ECV at the parks and couldn't understand why he felt so good at the end of the day when I was dragging. duh!

He has since had both knees replaced and it wasn't a picnic, but well worth it.

 

[tarak]

Thank you all so much for your help!

I have had both the synvisc injections and total knee replacement on both knees. I was in my 40's when I had them done, so I was pretty young and also still had young children, so I understand where you are coming from.

By the time I had the synvisc, my knees were shot and my Dr and I assumed they wouldn't help much and they didn't. We had tried PT and an uploader brace, and the insurance wouldn't pay unless we did the injections. It wasn't too bad having them done. I had already been through cortisone injections and they had also stopped working. I would take a chance on them because I do know they work on many people.

I would also wait until after your trip to have the surgery. Rent an ECV and your trip will be fine. I rented one on my last trip before my surgery and I could have gone all day and night! My family was ready to call it a night and I was just getting started! It had been years since I felt that good on a WDW trip!

I will be honest about the pain meds, I try not to use them. This is just my opinion, but I think they prolonged my recovery on my first surgery. I found that extra strenght tylenol was much better than the morphine and vicodin I was prescribed. I know this doesn't work for all people, but I had small children at home and needed to be able to function for them and I think that is why I had an easier recovery than many other people.

My worry about the ECV is I've never ridden one and I'm a bit leery of doing that for the first time at Disney. Our youngest will be just shy of two years old for our next trip, so we'll have a stroller with us. But I can see what you mean about feeling so good. I imagine the more sluggish of my kids would want rides everywhere. And as much as I say I don't care what people think, I don't want to be looked at as one of those lazy people who has an ECV because I don't want to walk. I'm 43 and otherwise in pretty good health and shape. But I should look into the cost of getting one, at least, and figure out the where's and why's of how to park them. We're staying at Kidani Village and last trip went back and forth to and from Jambo house frequently - sometimes two or three times a day. Might be worth it for that, at the very least.

And I absolutely hear you on the pain meds. The reason I have them left over is I didn't use them. To be honest, I didn't feel the need for them a few days after the c-section. I rarely take anything for my knee now because, honestly, it hurts all the time. I don't want to be slugging down ibuprofen every day.

DH tried the Synvisc because insurance insisted before resorting to surgery. Synvisc didn't help. He did rent an ECV at the parks and couldn't understand why he felt so good at the end of the day when I was dragging. duh!

He has since had both knees replaced and it wasn't a picnic, but well worth it.

Everyone I know who had a replacement and was good about the PT said it was absolutely worth it and wish they'd done it sooner. It's gone pretty rapidly from hurting when it rains to whenever it's even slightly humid to 24/7. I keep trying to figure out when it would be convenient to get this done and, really, there isn't one. With four kids, a solo trip to the grocery store isn't exactly convenient (although heavenly at times).

 

[powellrj]

Rent an off-site ECV. You are young so you have good reflexes and will have no problem getting around on one. Not only are they cheaper off-site, you will always have it with you if you need help getting around the resort. Go to a big box store like Target or Wal Mart and practice driving one before you leave. As for what other people think, its just something you need to work through. I was in my mid 40's when I had mine done and I worried about what people would say, until I realized I didn't know these people and didn't care what they said or thought!

Good Luck with what you decide!

 

[tarak]

Rent an off-site ECV. You are young so you have good reflexes and will have no problem getting around on one. Not only are they cheaper off-site, you will always have it with you if you need help getting around the resort. Go to a big box store like Target or Wal Mart and practice driving one before you leave. As for what other people think, its just something you need to work through. I was in my mid 40's when I had mine done and I worried about what people would say, until I realized I didn't know these people and didn't care what they said or thought!

Good Luck with what you decide!

You are so right about that. I just walked half a mile with a co-worker to get lunch. My knee is killing me. So unless that injection works miracles, I don't see myself lasting at a park. And when I remember our last trip, that walk back to the room at the end of the day just made me want to cry at times.

 

[Pooh2]

My orthopedic guy will not use synvic. Forget what the reason is, he instead uses Euflexa. It was 3 injections 2 weeks apart. The help was minimal but took the edge off. Good luck!

 

[M5ward]

I have had the Supartz shots three times over the last three years. It's five shots given a week apart for five weeks. I have had very good results...the shots have been effective, obviously, for a year each time. I get the shots in both knees. However, I have cartilage in both knees and what is considered age appropriate arthritis (I'm 67). I get the shots to protect the remaining cartilage and to lubricate the knee joint. Works for me.

 

[heidibilotti]

Stay on top of the pain with the over the counter aspirin Motrin or whatever you prefer don't wait until you are in really bad pain. Ice is available at first aid and that might help ease the pain. Call down to the resort and request a room by the lobby due to medical needs. They won't guarantee it but they do there best. That really helped me tons on my last trip to kidani. Hope your knee feels better have a wonderful trip

 

[stitchlovestink]

Thank you all so much for your help!



My worry about the ECV is I've never ridden one and I'm a bit leery of doing that for the first time at Disney. Our youngest will be just shy of two years old for our next trip, so we'll have a stroller with us. But I can see what you mean about feeling so good. I imagine the more sluggish of my kids would want rides everywhere. And as much as I say I don't care what people think, I don't want to be looked at as one of those lazy people who has an ECV because I don't want to walk. I'm 43 and otherwise in pretty good health and shape. But I should look into the cost of getting one, at least, and figure out the where's and why's of how to park them. We're staying at Kidani Village and last trip went back and forth to and from Jambo house frequently - sometimes two or three times a day. Might be worth it for that, at the very least.

And I absolutely hear you on the pain meds. The reason I have them left over is I didn't use them. To be honest, I didn't feel the need for them a few days after the c-section. I rarely take anything for my knee now because, honestly, it hurts all the time. I don't want to be slugging down ibuprofen every day.



Everyone I know who had a replacement and was good about the PT said it was absolutely worth it and wish they'd done it sooner. It's gone pretty rapidly from hurting when it rains to whenever it's even slightly humid to 24/7. I keep trying to figure out when it would be convenient to get this done and, really, there isn't one. With four kids, a solo trip to the grocery store isn't exactly convenient (although heavenly at times).

bolding is mine....
keep in mind that ibuprofen is a NSAID which has TWO purposes...
it is given to keep INFLAMMATION down as well as to reduce pain. If you keep the inflammation down then the pain decreases as well!

 

[tarak]

My orthopedic guy will not use synvic. Forget what the reason is, he instead uses Euflexa. It was 3 injections 2 weeks apart. The help was minimal but took the edge off. Good luck!

I know there are a number of similar injections - according to Dr. Google, some are better tolerated than others, so maybe that's the difference? I'm hoping it helps. Even taking the edge off would be nice.

I have had the Supartz shots three times over the last three years. It's five shots given a week apart for five weeks. I have had very good results...the shots have been effective, obviously, for a year each time. I get the shots in both knees. However, I have cartilage in both knees and what is considered age appropriate arthritis (I'm 67). I get the shots to protect the remaining cartilage and to lubricate the knee joint. Works for me.

Only one knee is problematic for me, but it's pretty much bone on bone at this point. And my femur is developing a bone spur from compensating (that wasn't the exact language he used, but that was my take on it). If it works, I'd be very happy because I'd really prefer to wait until my youngest is less dependent on me for everything. Of course, that might be a decade from now.

bolding is mine....
keep in mind that ibuprofen is a NSAID which has TWO purposes...
it is given to keep INFLAMMATION down as well as to reduce pain. If you keep the inflammation down then the pain decreases as well!

Very true. I've been taking plaquenil for several years now for an autoimmune disease (sjogrens). It tends to keep any complications from that pretty much in check. I think because I have to take something for that every day, I tend to be resistant to taking anything else unless it's absolutely necessary. But maybe it is at this point.

heidibilotti - my husband tells me all the time how important that is. He had shoulder surgery a few years back (torn labrum) and learned first hand about the concept of staying ahead of the pain. I'm horrible about that. But if I do have the replacement, I've sworn I'll be good about it. I joke that his surgery was as hard on me as it was on him. We only had two kids at the time. Since we've doubled the number of little ones since then, I imagine the same will hold true for him.

 

[TXMemaw]

I had synvisc in late Sept 2011 and it worked, but only for about 4 months. We visit WDW several times a year and it did help in that I could walk longer but my knee was still really sore a few days in. We visited WDW in early Dec 2011 and on one of our last days, we had a reservation through Tables in Wonderland for a special Christmas dinner at Norway and then got to watch the Candlelight Processional in reserved seats. I was still at the refusing to believe that I couldn't walk point and almost missed the CP because it took me such a long time to walk from Norway to the American Gardens Theater. We got a wheelchair the next day. My knee was like yours, bone on bone and I did end up having a total knee replacement done last July. The synvisc did help in day to day walking and pain but a trip to WDW is a lot more walking than most people do in their daily lives. We try to go to WDW in Oct. most years for the F&W Festival and I thought that I should be good to go last year since it would be 3 months after surgery. I had complications (ended up having another surgery 6 weeks after the first one and then 4 months later botox injections into the back of my thigh to get my knee to release and straighten out) so both the trip last October and when we went at Thanksgiving, I had to bring a wheelchair. Our trip this past May (10+ months after surgery) was the first time in a year and a half that I had been at WDW and not ended up in a wheelchair for at least part of the trip.

Good luck with your surgery when you do have it. You are right about the PT really being the key to success. I can honestly say now, a little over a year later, that it was one of the best things I could have done and should have done it sooner.

 

[tarak]

Thank you for chiming in TXMemaw. I'm still waiting to hear on the synvisc (once my insurance approves it, they have to send it to a specialty pharmacy, which has to send it to the ortho?). I'm most likely going to rent an ECV from Apple (and reserve a stroller at the same time - make life easier on us and not drag one from home). I had to make a Target/grocery run last weekend and that pretty much sold me on it.

 

[RumpleMom]

A friend told me her insurance denied Synvisc, but approved Euflexa because it has been very successful for a lot of people.

She was told Euflexa is plant based compared to Supartz that is animal based. Just going on hearsay here.

If Synvisc is denied, don't be discouraged. There are other good choices. Her doctor is in a group of doctors who take care of professional athletes.

 

[sunset7132]

I have had both the synvisc injections and total knee replacement on both knees. I was in my 40's when I had them done, so I was pretty young and also still had young children, so I understand where you are coming from.

By the time I had the synvisc, my knees were shot and my Dr and I assumed they wouldn't help much and they didn't. We had tried PT and an uploader brace, and the insurance wouldn't pay unless we did the injections. It wasn't too bad having them done. I had already been through cortisone injections and they had also stopped working. I would take a chance on them because I do know they work on many people.

I would also wait until after your trip to have the surgery. Rent an ECV and your trip will be fine. I rented one on my last trip before my surgery and I could have gone all day and night! My family was ready to call it a night and I was just getting started! It had been years since I felt that good on a WDW trip!

I will be honest about the pain meds, I try not to use them. This is just my opinion, but I think they prolonged my recovery on my first surgery. I found that extra strenght tylenol was much better than the morphine and vicodin I was prescribed. I know this doesn't work for all people, but I had small children at home and needed to be able to function for them and I think that is why I had an easier recovery than many other people.

I bad meniscus repair surgery 3 weeks ago . I'm still very swollen and can't walk proper. I never used a scooter but will be booking one for our nov 8 trip. My question is will I be abl to get the swing of riding this thing quickly if I never have been in one before? I am so unsure about going needing this but your post gave me hope. It's my honeymoon trip that we waited 29 years to have and my 50 bday with fd and I don't wanna cancel but I can't walk that much.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I bad meniscus repair surgery 3 weeks ago . I'm still very swollen and can't walk proper. I never used a scooter but will be booking one for our nov 8 trip. My question is will I be abl to get the swing of riding this thing quickly if I never have been in one before? I am so unsure about going needing this but your post gave me hope. It's my honeymoon trip that we waited 29 years to have and my 50 bday with fd and I don't wanna cancel but I can't walk that much.

If you can, try using one in a grocery store or big box store before you go. The ones you use there are substantially harder than the ones you rent offsite from WDW so if you can get practice in before you go, you'll find the ones you rent offsite (and I do think you should rent offsite if you weren't already planning to) to be very easy in comparison. Also, after you pick up the scooter, spend some time scooting around your resort. The part that makes it most difficult about the parks is the crowds and people trying to learn to use an ECV for the first time in the middle of crowds (rather than learning somewhere less crowded). If you practice around the resort where you have more space, you won't be one of those people trying to figure it out in the middle of the crowd. If you can drive a car you should be fine driving an ECV (and it won't hurt your knee nearly as much as driving a car might!).

The actual basics are fairly easy. They steer like a bike steers and will have a key, a speed control (usually with a photo of a turtle for slow and bunny for fast), and then most use a lever by the handle bars to control forwards and backwards. If you rent from a preferred provider, the ECV will be waiting for you with bell services. If you don't rent from a preferred provider, you'll have to meet the person who drops it off and picks it up, however, that does give you a chance to ask any questions you might have. You don't sound like you should need more instruction than you can find on here, but if it makes you feel more comfortable having someone show you how in person, then I'd suggest renting from one of the non-preferred rental companies (Randy's has always met people to show them how to use ECVs, but I'm sure Walkers and the other non-preferred rental companies would have no problem showing you at drop-off since they'll have someone there anyway). The one draw-back of dealing with pick-up and drop-off with a specific person is that you will have to work with the rental company on the times rather than just picking it up when you arrive at your resort and dropping it off when you leave.

 

[sunset7132]

If you can, try using one in a grocery store or big box store before you go. The ones you use there are substantially harder than the ones you rent offsite from WDW so if you can get practice in before you go, you'll find the ones you rent offsite (and I do think you should rent offsite if you weren't already planning to) to be very easy in comparison. Also, after you pick up the scooter, spend some time scooting around your resort. The part that makes it most difficult about the parks is the crowds and people trying to learn to use an ECV for the first time in the middle of crowds (rather than learning somewhere less crowded). If you practice around the resort where you have more space, you won't be one of those people trying to figure it out in the middle of the crowd. If you can drive a car you should be fine driving an ECV (and it won't hurt your knee nearly as much as driving a car might!).

The actual basics are fairly easy. They steer like a bike steers and will have a key, a speed control (usually with a photo of a turtle for slow and bunny for fast), and then most use a lever by the handle bars to control forwards and backwards. If you rent from a preferred provider, the ECV will be waiting for you with bell services. If you don't rent from a preferred provider, you'll have to meet the person who drops it off and picks it up, however, that does give you a chance to ask any questions you might have. You don't sound like you should need more instruction than you can find on here, but if it makes you feel more comfortable having someone show you how in person, then I'd suggest renting from one of the non-preferred rental companies (Randy's has always met people to show them how to use ECVs, but I'm sure Walkers and the other non-preferred rental companies would have no problem showing you at drop-off since they'll have someone there anyway). The one draw-back of dealing with pick-up and drop-off with a specific person is that you will have to work with the rental company on the times rather than just picking it up when you arrive at your resort and dropping it off when you leave.

Thank you for the response I'm going to rent one off-site and have them deliver it. And I'll practice at the resort first. I just hope this doesn't make the trip less magical Disney is the only place we have ever vacationed And with free dining we were so looking forward to a fun trip a trip about eating LOL. I decided on the 3 wheel low back model not the capt chair ....

 

[Deanie1]

I tried the synvisc injections but they really didn't help. I was basically bone on bone, though and had very minimal cartilage left. I have since had total knee replacements done, one in 2010 and one in 2011. I did go to WDW in Non 2012 and was worried about my knees but actually walked way better than my two sisters.

This is what I did before I had the knee replacements (in 2009) I have rheumatoid arthritis and my rheumatoligst told me to take Tylenol Arthritis every morning before going to the park. I also had Tylenol 3's with me if I needed. It is much easier to control the pain when it is a level 4 than when it is an 8. Stay on top of it.

And rent that ECV. Good luck and enjoy yourself! Keep smiling and the magical trip will happen.

 

[tarak]

Thank you for the response I'm going to rent one off-site and have them deliver it. And I'll practice at the resort first. I just hope this doesn't make the trip less magical Disney is the only place we have ever vacationed And with free dining we were so looking forward to a fun trip a trip about eating LOL. I decided on the 3 wheel low back model not the capt chair ....

This is what I'm going to do. Although I might give one a swing around target tomorrow. I used to have a motorcycle license, you wouldn't think a scooter would give me such pause. I think it's the lack of brakes that worries me. Fortunately, we're going in late January. We traveled the same time this year and walked on to just about everything, so at least I won't have huge crowds to contend with.

I tried the synvisc injections but they really didn't help. I was basically bone on bone, though and had very minimal cartilage left. I have since had total knee replacements done, one in 2010 and one in 2011. I did go to WDW in Non 2012 and was worried about my knees but actually walked way better than my two sisters.

This is what I did before I had the knee replacements (in 2009) I have rheumatoid arthritis and my rheumatoligst told me to take Tylenol Arthritis every morning before going to the park. I also had Tylenol 3's with me if I needed. It is much easier to control the pain when it is a level 4 than when it is an 8. Stay on top of it.

And rent that ECV. Good luck and enjoy yourself! Keep smiling and the magical trip will happen.

I'll have to pick up some of the tylenol. Still waiting to get the injection scheduled, but things are only really bad when I run around a lot. Part of me wonders if it's bothering me more since I know it will need replacing at some point? I guess I was assuming/hoping it would eventually improve (because it was injured and would heal). Well, it is what it is and could be worse. Better to have my knee hurt while I'm at Disney then while I'm sitting in the office drafting a contract agreement, right?

 

[twocat]

I'm going to give you my experience with having a HIP replaced. I had osteoarthritis; bone-on-bone pain. I had injections and they did absolutely nothing for me. There's not much that will work on bone-on-bone pain.

I had my surgery mid-december and was at Disney 2 months previously in October. I didn't rent an ECV and only made it through the trip by dosing with Vicodin. I was only taking Vicodin on the weekends and sometimes in the evening but, for the most part, didn't really use painkillers except on the trip and for a few weeks after surgery with ever decreasing doses.

My recovery was very, very fast. I was back to work in about 3.5 weeks, probably because I was only 47 when I had the surgery. And I felt FABULOUS!! No pain at all. None.

So my advice to you is that post surgery, other than recovery pain, you will no longer be in pain. With that in mind, if it was me, I'd schedule the surgery as soon as feasible and go to Disney AFTER surgery.