Question:

Some questions on TKR (Total Knee Replacement): 1. When I get colds, they frequently turn into bacterial infections in my chest or nose.  Is that a risk to the TKR?   How about an infection from a finger cut? 2. How long can I expect a TKR to last if I did moderate but regular biking, hiking and dancing (including more strenuous dances like swing) 3. Is a TKR stable when hiking on uneven ground? 4. regarding the range of motion possible after a TKR, I’ve been given different figures, from 100 degrees of flexion up to 115 degrees, with a maximum of 120 degrees.  What is the average for ALL TKR’s, if anyone knows.  I realize there is a lot of individual variation with this.

Response:

>1. When I get colds, they frequently turn into bacterial infections in >my chest or nose.  Is that a risk to the TKR?   How about an infection >from a finger cut?

Little infections like that are not too big of concern.  You will make yourself nuts if you panic each time you get the sniffles.  Of more concern would be an infection in your leg or foot. >2. How long can I expect a TKR to last if I did moderate but regular >biking, hiking and dancing (including more strenuous dances like >swing)

Your mileage may vary.  It depends on many things, including your weight. But as a rule of thumb, anything that gives your knees a pounding, should be done in small amounts if at all, to get the maximum mileage from the artificial joints. >3. Is a TKR stable when hiking on uneven ground?

More so if you do exercises to strenthen the surrounding musculature. >4.What is the average for ALL TKR’s, if >anyone knows.

Dont have a clue. Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

Hi Howard, My answers are below your questions.  Good luck to you. > Some questions on TKR (Total Knee Replacement): > 1. When I get colds, they frequently turn into bacterial infections in > my chest or nose.  Is that a risk to the TKR?   How about an infection > from a finger cut?

Ask your orthopedic surgeon what he thinks of this.  Two weeks before I had my TKR, a nurse suggested I stay away from anyone who is ill just in case I, too, get sick & the surgery would have to be postponed. > 2. How long can I expect a TKR to last if I did moderate but regular > biking, hiking and dancing (including more strenuous dances like > swing)

A TKR lasts between 10 – 15 years.  Of course, you should be gentle to your knees so that they can serve you for as long as possible. > 3. Is a TKR stable when hiking on uneven ground?

I would think so if your muscles are strong, but I’ve not gone hiking after a TKR. > 4. regarding the range of motion possible after a TKR, I’ve been given > different figures, from 100 degrees of flexion up to 115 degrees, with > a maximum of 120 degrees.  What is the average for ALL TKR’s, if > anyone knows.  I realize there is a lot of individual variation with > this.

Range of motion varies for different individuals.  Make sure you do your exercises religously the first 3 months after surgery so that your range of motion is maximized.         * A week after a TKR:  ~90 degrees         * 3 months post surgery: ~100 to 120 degrees

Response:

>I have tried kneeling.  The pain is excruciating.  Not in the flexion it >requires, but in the knee itself.  I can kneel on the bed.  But beside it? >ooooooowwwwwww >Char

And I don’t have any problem kneeling at all on that knee Char.  Isn’t that weird?  the difference between people I guess.  My knee has more scars that most as well, since the TKR ws the 13th surgery on it. Anne AAC/AAF/AFBV62.0844.TX http://tckworld.com/opfoot It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. The Little Prince

Response:

>A TKR lasts between 10 – 15 years.  Of course, you should be gentle to >your knees so that they can serve you for as long as possible.<

I think this has changed somewhat.  My TKR is 10 years old and my ortho says there is not reason at all why I shouldn’t get probably 25 years out of it. >Range of motion varies for different individuals.  Make sure you do your >exercises religously the first 3 months after surgery so that your range >of motion is maximized. >        * A week after a TKR:  ~90 degrees >        * 3 months post surgery: ~100 to 120 degrees<

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