Partial Knee Resurfacing

Mr. Jones had a partial knee resurfacing August, 2000.

Following Is an account of my experience with partial knee resurfacing. I am a male, 68 years old, weigh 180 lbs, moderately active, otherwise in good health, a survivor of colon cancer.

I decided to undergo the knee resurfacing to avoid the ever present pain and joint stiffening associated with arthritis of the knees. I was unable to walk any reasonable distance without experiencing stiffening and pain. I had difficulty going up and down stairs and had to hold on to a railing. I had become bow legged.

The knee operation was done by Dr. Barrett of the Florida Knee Orthopedic Center in Clearwater Florida. Dr. Barrett felt that I was a good candidate for partial knee resurfacing instead of a total knee replacement. X-rays showed that the inner surfaces of my knees had no cartilage but the outer surfaces appeared ok. With this procedure the upper leg bone gets a chromium alloy piece to replace the bony surface and the lower leg receives a plastic insert on the damaged side of the knee. The operation is less invasive than total knee replacement and recovery should be easier.

I decided to have both knees done at the same time although many people elect to. have them done one at a time. With partial knee resurfacing it proved to be a good decision. I had no difficulty dealing with operations on both knees.

Monday: I went into the operating room around 10:00 am and came out of recovery around 2:00 PM. The actual procedure takes about a half hour per knee. Later that afternoon I was asked to stand up and put weight on my knees which I was able to do.

Second day: I walked with the help of a walker for about 100 feet.

Third day: I walked easily with a walker, bent my knees about 90 degrees and was sent home.

Fourth day: Decided that I didn't need the walker or the toilet support and functioned without them.

First week: I exercised moderately per the tape directions and walked short distances the rest of the week. I used pain medicine which was only marginally helpful.

Second week: I was able to drive a car after 9 days. The relatively mild but continuous surgery pain continued and I used pain killers through the second week. The pain lessened toward the end of second week and I was then able to go to Excedrin.

Third week: My knees can be bent to about 130 degrees and I was able to ride my bicycle toward the end of the third week. I do stretching exercises and some sort of activity such as swimming, biking or walking every day. I don't believe that aggressive physical therapy is warranted.

Fourth week: My knees are slowly returning to normal. I can walk with more confidence than before the surgery. However, I still am limited in the distance I can walk or stand. This is a matter of conditioning which is improving. I am gradually getting motion restored. I have about 130 degrees of bend now and expect to get 135 degrees or more of bend eventually. Mild pain persists but I do not need any pain medicine except Excedrin at night to help me sleep.

I am pleased with the operation. It has enabled me to conduct an active life style which was severely limited before the operation.