Partial knee replacements in mid-40s: experiences and advice on timing

[MysticMongoose]

I’ve been told I need to have a partial knee replacement on both knees due to there being no cartilage under the kneecaps. However, because I’m only 45 I’ve been advised by the GP, the Consultant and a Physio that I should try and put it off as long as possible (I’ve gone down the private route currently so this isn’t an NHS funding issue).

The issue I have is that the steroid injections only give me relief if I don’t really use my knees. As soon as I become active - as in trying to live like a normal person, not a pro athlete - there comes a point when I need to rest them as they swell and become painful. Consequently, I am not living life to the full and it’s getting me down.

Does anyone have experience of going ahead with the operation in their mid-40s? Would you recommend it? Are you concerned about future replacements (which seems to be the reason for delaying)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

My understanding is that it's very hard to do future replacements and they only lasts around 20 years. So if you have some mobility now you want to try and stretch it out.

My worry is that I’m putting off living now to protect a period of my life that I may not even make it to. But then if I do make it, will I look back and berate myself for rushing it? So hard to know.

If there is anyone else with experience, I’d love to hear about it.

I had it at 41. The pain afterwards was unbelievable, the scar is huge, but I’m still glad I had it done.

My partial replacement is a much smaller scar than I expect by far. The pain was awful for a couple of weeks, but that's to be expected. I think it was probably less pain than a full replacement. Like the OP, I went private (Yorkshire knee clinic). No issues years later.

@thenightsky my scar is hypertrophic and is a good half an inch wide at its widest, and 7” long.

the pain that first week was so bad I was convinced I was going to die of pain! However, I am unable to take painkillers, so feel it worse than others. After that first week, the pain eased.

As I said, I’m still glad I had it done.

I am 46 and need a replacement to one knee. They keep trying to put me off too but I can barely walk or do anything. I can’t take NSAiDs, including gels, so am on strong codeine constantly. I want the operation asap .

surgeon's love operating - if they're suggesting not having surgery yet then that's usually worth listening too (probably even more so in the private). With operations like this they're trying to balance managing symptoms now/thinking about more complex revision surgery later (perhaps combined with poorer health with increasing age)/but not putting it off so long though that the primary operation is more difficult. Only people who can really advise you are the people who know your anatomy and general medical health.

I've got moderate to severe osteoarthritis in both knees. One is a bit worse than the other one. Both swell badly and go really stiff making walking and getting about really hard. Sometimes DH pushes me in a wheelchair if I have to go very far and it's unlikely I can walk that far. I'd love an operation. I don't think the pain can be much worse than what I have daily now. I'm on Codeine and Nefapam for pain plus Volterol gel and a cortisone injection. I'm still in a lot of pain. I'm obese and they won't operate until my BMI is 35. I'm on Mounjaro and I've lost 2 1/2 stone but I need to lose 4 stone more which seems so far away. I envy you your operation OP. I hope it goes really well for you. Have someone to hand to run around after you for first 2-3 weeks.

Can’t edit out the awful accidental apostrophe! 🫣

I’m not quite at the stage of needing a knee replacement yet but they have been badly damaged by years of arthritis and I will need one at some point. One knee is particularly bad and constantly swollen/painful. I’m also in my mid-40s but I’m determined not to have a knee replacement until I’m in my 60s at least. My dad had his done when he was in his late 60s and they’ve been great for him but he also held out at long as he could because he was basically told it was one and done.