Originally Posted by Cat18
My 27-year-old daughter's rhematologist has recommended a knee replacement because she has no tissue left - it is bone on bone as a result of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
THE PROS
1. She can only walk a block or two before her knee starts hurting.
2. Favoring her knee is causing a misalignment in her spine/hips.
3. If she is going to get the surgery, she wants to have it and fully recuperate before she gets pregnant.
4. She is athletic - snowboarding, kayaaking, climbing, biking, etc.
THE CONS
1. Some people she's talked to say she won't be able to ski or snowboard after the surgery because the replacement is not like a real knee.
2. Others have told her how painful they are or that the surgery didn't work
If you have any insight to impart, please share!
I haven't read other answers, but here is my take. She is too young to be in pain, an if she doesn't do it she will be in intense pain for the rest of her life that will only get worse, and when she gains weight while pregnant it will be even worse.
I have never met someone for whom it didn't work. Twenty year ago, maybe, but with modern technology it works well. Of course, there are risks like with any other surgery, but being alive is a risk. I am not sure about snowboarding after surgery, but I am pretty sure she can not snowboard now with the pain, so she has nothing to loose but the pain. She can slowly get back into her normal activities. She just needs to give herself time to heal completely.