Possibility of Knee Replacement Feels Imminent Now

By Vickie Wilkerson

2 min read

Since December 2022, I have been battling a knee injury. When it first happened, the orthopedic surgeon told me that because of the broken knee, a meniscus repair, and extensive psoriatic arthritis damage, I would be looking at a total knee replacement.

What has the healing process been?

He had me doing physical therapy at home to strengthen the leg and knee. He said we may be able to heal the knee. He said it would depend on my psoriatic arthritis and if the situation got worse. It was mentally challenging for me because of how the broken knee happened. Without going into too many details, it was due to a family member attacking me. To make matters worse, this person knew my struggle with psoriatic disease. Those thoughts stay in my mind while I am going through all this.

Can I walk?

It took six months of using a wheelchair, then a walker, then a cane, and finally being able to walk. I walk slowly, but I am walking, so it feels like a win to me. However, that was a couple of weeks ago. Now, it feels like it is not a win.

In fact, it feels like it is far from it. Yes, I am still able to walk. Things started to change about two weeks ago. I was staying with my aunt, helping to care for her. I have a habit of walking around my house or any family member’s house wearing only socks. Three days before I was to leave, I stepped on a long sticker that jammed in my foot. The pain that shot through my foot caused me to take two hard steps on that bad knee. That pain in my knee made me forget about the sticker.

Will my psoriatic arthritis do more damage?

Now, when I go to get up from my chair or couch, it feels like it is bone grinding on bone in that knee. There are times when the bone will pop as if it got dislocated and had to pop back in place. I fear that psoriatic arthritis will flare after these hard steps happen. The doctor had told me that if the psoriatic arthritis were to flare, it could cause more damage in and around that knee, which would result in me having the knee replacement sooner rather than later.

Am I ready for a knee replacement?

I know I need to make an appointment with him so he can x-ray my knee and tell me what is going on. Honestly, I am scared to do it, afraid of what he might tell me.

I have worked so hard to get back to walking that I don’t want to have the knee replacement this soon. I want to put it off as long as possible. Is that dumb? The answer is probably so. The doctor did tell me that it would get to a point of being so painful I would want it done. My knee is painful, but not so painful that I cannot tolerate it. I keep hoping that by taking those bad steps, I just twisted it, which will take time to heal.

For those of you who have had a knee replacement, can you tell me when you knew it was time to have the surgery? I’m fearful, but I don’t want to be so fearful that I do enough damage where nothing can be done.

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AlisaLavine Member
I am so terribly sorry that you have had to deal with this for so many months. I know how hard it is to get your mobility back and then keep it. All that work will help you heal more quickly when you do decide to have the surgery. You are probably at your best physically right now so maybe see your ortho. You don't have to have the surgery right this second just because he says you need it. Hang in there. I'm sending you love and healing energy.🤗❤️
Mary Lynn Member
Vickie, it's a hard decision to make. I am wishing you all the best as you consider your options. I hope the appointment with your doctor brings some peace of mind.
iwillsurvive Member
Vickie, first, i am sorry you are having such issues. I tore my meniscus in 2013, struggled to walk, had the repair surgery, but ended up with knee replacement in 2015 and 2nd knee in 2020. Honestly, it was a good decision for me. Sorry i waited so long for first one, doctor warned me around 2008. And I jumped at having the 2nd one. Not sorry about either. Just had hip replacement in April 2023. No need to suffer, recovery not bad if you keep moving and do the therapy. Praying it goes well for you. @
Diane T Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Vickie Wilkerson" user-id="3316344"/> , I know you have been dealing with this knee for a minute now. So sorry you are going through this. I was with you about waiting, but your doctor said that eventually, you would be in pain. I would look more into getting the surgery since you are in pain already. Of course, this is just my opinion. Let us know what you decide. Diane (Team Member)
Amore Member
Hi Vickie, I'm sorry that you have family drama exacerbating your PsA. Unfortunately, I can relate all too well with that. Just last night I read a few great short articles on Psychology <a href='https://Today.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>Today.com</a> that were very insightful and helpful for me on that subject. Maybe you'd find them helpful too? Regarding your surgery question, has your Orthopedic Surgeon told you how long the artificial knee will last? I heard from others that they don't last indefinitely and need to be replaced after some years, but I have not heard how long. For me, personally, I'm looking at eventual bilateral hip replacements, spine fusions, and not sure what, if anything, can be done about my bad ankles and feet. For whatever it may be worth in your own decision making process I share with you my own much deliberated thoughts: - Unless I'm being rolled straight from the ER, no OR. This is a tough one to consider, especially when I have flares that make it impossible for me to fully stand up for a week or move my leg at all on its own. But, then, when I finally cave to make a dr appt, a steroid shot and a few more days later I can move an inch further on my own. The next day or two another inch is gained. And so on. Many people go ahead with scheduling surgery at that point. But I go on to realize that any medical procedure I have done puts me into a prolonged full body clinching flare all over again. If you are like me in that respect, quadruple the time they tell you it takes to recover from any procedure. That's another factor in my surgery decision process. For me, I dont expect any surgery will improve my pain or mobility and it has a good chance of making me worse. Therefore, if I can still move at all within a couple of weeks, I forgo the road to surgery. For knees, I have heard from a few people that the physical therapy post op is positively agonizing and frequently patients drop out of p.t. due to the pain involved regaining mobility. At the end of the day, you are the one that has to live with the ongoing pain one way or another. If you believe deep in your mind that replacement will improve the quality of your life, then maybe it will be worth it eventually as long as you commit to physical therapy and continue with that long after you're finished with the appointments for it. I know people that are still adjusting their position and using their hands to move their leg years after that surgery. If I can use the limb at all on my own, I wouldn't have it done. But I've learned to accept and function with a pain level of 8 in multiple locations by using Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). That's a tough place to get to for anyone. I suppose I go that route because I'm holding out for better procedures with better overall outcomes. Medicine is progressing rapidly.🤞 Surgery is a very personal decision. I hope my decision process helps you in your own decisions. Either way, whatever you decide, may I suggest shoes indoors at all times? I find crocs helpful with their rubber soles for flexible cushioning, wide toe beds and cupped heals for arthritic feet and ankle support, and rubber traction for stability very helpful. Easy to slip on and off with or without socks. Good luck! 
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Amore" user-id="8539902"/> my doctor told me that it used to be that a knee replacement would only go ten years and would need to be replaced. He said that is not the case anymore. He said now a knee replacement would last me the rest of my life. I am 53. No way to know if he was just puffing as Judge Judy would call it meaning he was just telling me what I wanted to hear. It's just hard for me mentally to wrap my mind around going through all of that to turn around a year later and need surgery. I do appreciate your input on all of it. Vickie W., Team Member
Amore Member
Great to hear that its getting better! I'm with you on forgoing arthroscopic when a full replacement is in the future. Something I recalled when I was investigating neck surgery 10 years ago, I decided to get at least 3 consultations. Frequently, different approaches, techniques, or diagnoses occur. I decided back then that I wanted 3 opinions from surgeons not affiliated with the same medical groups, then my thoughts were to go with the procedure if at least 2 were in agreement. For me, at that time, I did get two agreeing procedures. For whatever it's worth to you, I also asked how long they thought it would be before I caved to the pain and sought surgical relief based upon my MRIs as compared to what their experience was with all their other patients' conditions. They each said within a year. That was 10 years ago. Still no surgeries. It's amazing what the human body can adapt to. It's getting harder, but I still have full range of motion in my neck. It has caused problems with carpal tunnel and my voice, but I have managed to overcome those too, so far, with physical therapy. I guess I'm just still holding out for a better option. I can't stand the idea of wearing a neck brace. And I will need more than one surgery because so far 2 or 3 is the most anyone will fusenat one time. I have 6 herniations in a row up top. The bottom is just a bad. Ugh. Nanobots are in development that can be put into a pill capsule, swallowed by the patient, then directed by the surgeon to do the repair. I read about that about 12 years ago in an article on future medicine. Now I have a nephew in med school at Harvard studying in that field. They're getting better all the time. I hope everything goes well for you. 53 is young. You'll be fine. 😊 One last thing to consider, how well does your body respond to illness or injury? Reactive arthritis is a problem for me. For example, I had a "simple" cataract surgery in May. Thats normally an easy thing to heal, 2 days on average. I flared in all my joints and it took 2 weeks just to be able to fully open my eye. I had a 9 day constant "eyegraine" migraine. I had to reschedule the other eye for November. Some bodies just really don't like to be messed with. Another reason to put it off, for me. Let us all know how it goes for you. All the best.😌🙏