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!

Martha Stewart had her hip done2 years ago. I don't know what the differance is buy I know she hikes and does horsback riding Why not twitter her or facebook her a message or justy email her at the show.

Maybe have her discuss her concerns with a second surgeon. Knees surgery results vary from patient to patient. Age, injury, type of surgery, etc... all play a factor in the final prognosis.
I know people who have greatly benefitted from them, and other's not as much.
I just seen a surgeon for the same, I am heading towards bone on bone, and he feels surgery will be in my future and that I will greatly benefit from it.

I know several that have had the hip. But know knee yet if i so hear of something I will message you

Dr. told me I wouldn't be able to run or jump with my knee replacement. I did have the 3 injections of chicken cartliage, which took a month or so to start working. I still get pain, but nothing like before. You can have that series of injections up to 4 times. But I am 65 years old. However they are getting newer medical procedures every day.

If it's at the bone on bone stage, I'm thinking she is definitely a candidate for immediate replacement.

Have "heard" that the replacements are only guaranteed for x# of years and that usually they like to wait till someone is older to do it, but who knows how much real current info the nebulous 'they' that said that had.

One friend got both of hers done as an 80th birthday present to herself. Her analysis was that rehab was no picnic, but it wasn't any worse than what she'd been putting up with for years.

Another friend who is probably late 40s has had lots of problems. Different surgeon, different hospital, different person, different outlook on life in general...who's to say what made the real difference. (I'm betting the attitude on life in general had a lot to do with it!)

I have a friend in her 50's who had knee replacement surgery. It is the first time in many years that she can stand on it and not want to cry. It was worth the pain involved to now be almost pain free.

I had my first hip replacement at 36 and second at 38 due to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and it has made such a difference to my life. At the time of the first, I was a mother of a 2 year old and a 4 year old and couldn't chase them or really play with them at all due to the pain. Just to be off all pain medication is fantastic and I feel so much healthier for it. I am scared to go horse riding or ice skating (I probably could go) but it is a small price to pay to be pain free after so many years.
Tell her to ask lots of questions about what she can and can't do afterwards, but I would go ahead as she hasn't got anything to lose with the knee causing her so much pain anyway.

I am so glad you started this thread. 2 different docs told me I should have a knee replacement by the end of the year, because it is bone-on-bone on BOTH knees. Frankly, I am scared. My dentist had knee surgery 4 months ago, I asked him how he was doing - not so good! He mentioned a doc in St Louis area (contact me if interested) who has HELPED 100% of his patients with this condition - WITHOUT SURGERY! With sleep apnea, going under anesthetic is tricky so I would rather not!! Good luck

i am having a total knee replacement on july 15th. i can't wait. i am so sick of being in pain all the time. both knees will be done this summer. i would of had it done 2 years ago, if my GP doc hadn't been pooping around,.telling me i was to young! (54)

the surgeon asked me what took so long to get in..the knees last 25/30 years now. they make special ones,titanium and for women..(smaller).
yes, there will be some things she may not be able to do..who cares, if the pain is bad enough,you go through it,and you can get around the drawbacks.
"stryker's triathlon knee system" is the one i am getting.
seriously, if they couldn't fix it, they could cut it off..the pain is that bad..bone on bone, no minicus left.

they have classes you go to , to find out what to expect,and how to deal with the replacement..she can go to that, free of charge,wether she has the surgery or not.
there is a place in chicago,that is able to do both knees at once, laser surgery, less invasive,faster recovery. i wish i was going there!