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Original poster

Has anyone had a knee replacement at 50?

46 replies

Hopalongnancy · 24/09/2022 12:16

I've been having serious knee issues for 3 years. Massively impacting on my mobility and lifestyle. I've had scans and surgery and physio and seen consultants and they have all said the last thing they want to do is a knee replacement. They said they great for older people but not good for younger, active people.
I've now been told that a knee replacement might be my only option.

Has anyone fairly fit and active had a knee replacement? What has been your experience? Good and bad?

OP posts:
skippy67 · 24/09/2022 12:25

Not me, but my cousin has had both knees replaced at 51. He's fully recovered and is always in the gym. He was very fit before though, so maybe that was a factor in his speedy recovery.

Original poster
Hopalongnancy · 24/09/2022 13:28

Thats reassuring thank you! Do you know why he had to have them both replaced?

OP posts:
skippy67 · 25/09/2022 10:00

Well, he's lost 6 stone in recent years, so maybe his weight was a factor. My aunt, his mum, has also had both of hers done, so maybe it's genetic? Hope not, for my sake!😅

DPotter · 25/09/2022 10:09

DP had a partial one done about 6 yrs ago aged 55 and it's been fantastic. he was barely able to walk and is now back walking miles and ski-ing and no pain. It was painful and he did lots of rehab exercises post surgery but it was a very good decision. He hasn't got back to playing squash but for everything else it's been really worthwhile.

If you're being advised to have a knee replacement - go for it but you'll have to put the post surgery rehab exercises in to reap the full benefits. And it is a painful process

MoiraRosefan · 25/09/2022 22:32

I have had both knees replaced. I was 51 when the first was done, the second was two years later. It is a pretty brutal surgery and recovery but so very worth it.

misskatamari · 26/09/2022 08:22

I haven't, and this might not be in any relevant, but my Mil (mid sixties) has had bad knees for years and really suffering. The nhs wait is so long they looking into private, which is really expensive - so she's flying to Lithuania tomorrow to have one done. All in it's about 8 grand I believe, including flights and ten days recovery at a spa/physio hotel, with daily physio etc. She's researched as thoroughly as she can, and spoken to people who've been etc.
Obviously might not be something at all on your radar etc, but it's not something I'd really heard about until she told us she was going, so I thought it might be of interest to others, as a potential option to consider.

I hope whatever you decide (surgery vs not) that it goes well. Being in pain is awful (I suffer with chronic issues myself so o empathise). I hope you get some good, more specific advice on here too ❤️

CMOTDibbler · 26/09/2022 08:40

Have you tried the hydroluronic acid injections? DH is 50 and was first offered a knee replacement 10 years ago, but due to various issues was told it would be one time only (no re replacements when it wore out), so he's been nursing it along ever since.
The hydroluronic acid has been a complete game changer in his knee management - so although I think he's only got another year left, it gave him lots more time. He cycles a lot, and that has really helped in keeping enough muscle and stabilising it

Wideawakeandconfused · 26/09/2022 08:50

Not me but my dad has his first at 71. Best thing he did. He’s very active and post op had more movement than before. Unfortunately, now 84 he’s needs it done again and he’s hesitant.

Original poster
Hopalongnancy · 03/10/2022 18:09

Thanks everyone.
If you are in your 50s or younger or know someone who has had this done can I ask:

  • can you kneel down?
  • can you run?
  • can you cycle?
  • could you do a hike up a big hill?
OP posts:
jollygreenpea · 03/10/2022 18:34

I'm watching with interest. I have a painful knee, I've had physio etc, they all say exercise to build muscle to stabilise it, but that's rather difficult when it's painful to just walk.

I'm not at the stage of knee replacement yet but some days I wish I could just get it done.

IfIGoThereWillBeTrouble · 03/10/2022 23:15

Had my partial knee replacement at 40. In answer to your questions:

  • can you kneel down? No, not at all, never never never
  • can you run? No, but that’s because I’m overweight and unfit
  • can you cycle? I can use an exercise bike but haven’t been in actual bicycle since I was about 12
  • could you do a hike up a big hill? I could, but it would be slow and with lots of puffing and panting (see previous comment about weight and level of fitness)

I’m glad I had it done, but for the first week after the operation I thought I’d made the worst mistake ever. That first week the pain was so bad I thought I would actually die from the pain. I wish someone had warned me that the first week would be unbearable but things would be better after that.

Ten years on, I get the occasional twinge when going downstairs, but my knee doesn’t give way any more. I know in 5 years or so I’ll need a total replacement.

I wasn’t bothered by the thought of having a scar (I was never one for short skirts because of my varicose veins) but just to warn you, mine is 7 inches long and in places it’s half an inch wide.

Utterlyexhausted · 04/10/2022 03:09

Not me but my SIL did about 6 months ago. She's 51. She was in hospital a total of 4 days, discharged & had a massive stroke at home a few hours later. It's been horrendous. Not trying to frighten you, but this can happen. My SIL was fit and healthy with no concerning health issues. Obviously, with what has happened, she wishes she never had the surgery - her life now is a shadow from what it was.

If you do decide to go ahead with it, please get up and about as soon as possible. Or ensure clot reducing treatment is planned/ used.

She had her surgery at a private hospital via the NHS to help reduce the surgery queue..I feel this point may be relevant here.

Original poster
Hopalongnancy · 04/10/2022 11:48

This terrifying! A stroke? Did they say what could have been avoided?

Kneeling down is a definite issue for me! :(

OP posts:
sparklecement · 04/10/2022 12:46

Hopalongnancy · 03/10/2022 18:09

Thanks everyone.
If you are in your 50s or younger or know someone who has had this done can I ask:

  • can you kneel down?
  • can you run?
  • can you cycle?
  • could you do a hike up a big hill?

My husband has his done at 45.

He is fine now. Took about 6 months to recover fully.

He does everything he did before plus he is back weight training and lifting heavy weights no issue.

Kneeling down can getting back up can be a bit difficult but he’s 55 now so things do creak a bit anyway! He just hangs onto something to support himself rather than going from kneeling to upright alone.

Original poster
Hopalongnancy · 04/10/2022 15:01

Thank you. That is really reasurring.
I know I need to lose weight to give myself the best chance but that's a lifelong issue sigh

OP posts:
Utterlyexhausted · 04/10/2022 17:02

Hopalongnancy · 04/10/2022 11:48

This terrifying! A stroke? Did they say what could have been avoided?

Kneeling down is a definite issue for me! :(

No. Nothing was done to prevent it. It's with the solicitors now, but honestly her life is a shadow of what it was..it's so sad to see, especially as it could have been prevented.

She's not the type to question the care or doctors' plans, they know best, so please speak up if you feel ANYTHING isn't right. Hindsight is a powerful thing!

Original poster
Hopalongnancy · 06/10/2022 22:32

In hindsight what was not done that should have been? This story has freaked me out. Just tragic

OP posts:
ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul · 06/10/2022 22:52

Yep, knee replacement at 52.
can you kneel down? No,
can you run? No,
can you cycle? Yes, and I do most days
could you do a hike up a big hill? Yes, I do 10,000 + steps practically every day, and regularly over quite strenuous terrain.
Honestly, I am so pleased I had it done while I was young enough to make a good recovery. Absolutely second the advice to take blood clotting precautions - I had heparin injections for a couple of weeks. Sadly, clotting is a risk of many kinds of surgery so please do take precautions. Good luck with whatever decision you take

SkiingIsHeaven · 06/10/2022 23:08

I have been told to wait as long as I can before I have one as I need one. Watching with interest.

ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul · 06/10/2022 23:13

SkiingIsHeaven · 06/10/2022 23:08

I have been told to wait as long as I can before I have one as I need one. Watching with interest.

@SkiingIsHeaven - I was a fairly bad skier pre-op and have been back on my skies post-op. Hugely pleased with myself that I can still ski - bad as I am!

SkiingIsHeaven · 06/10/2022 23:21

@ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul that's what I am worrying about the most. Just love skiing.

ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul · 06/10/2022 23:24

@SkiingIsHeaven - I am not much use to you! I was fairly crap before my op and still fairly crap, but probably no worse, after. I guess your knee will have the final say if, like mine, it gets so bad that there is no alternative. Good luck.

MumOfNowGrownupKids · 06/10/2022 23:25

Had my right knee replaced in my mid 50's. Kneeling is uncomfortable on a hard surface but getting slowly better. I was cycling in the Alps 3 months post op but the physio was quite hard work. Yes I can run for the first time in 10 years.

Cameleongirl · 06/10/2022 23:30

They said they great for older people but not good for younger, active people.

Did the consultants explain why knee replacements aren't good for younger people? I have no experience of them so I'm just wondering why that is. Thanks.

FiveMins · 06/10/2022 23:34

Hopalongnancy · 03/10/2022 18:09

Thanks everyone.
If you are in your 50s or younger or know someone who has had this done can I ask:

  • can you kneel down?
  • can you run?
  • can you cycle?
  • could you do a hike up a big hill?

I couldn't but I have lost a significant amount of weight, done a huge amount of leg strengthening exercises, yoga and acupuncture. And now can do all of them. It took a big effort but well worth it.