January 8, 2013
From one of our younger members:
I’m having surgery on both knees because Rheumatoid arthritis I want to know if any other women on here have had to have this done and if it will screw up my future career plans to be a nurse (I’m 17).
Can you share your experiences? Any medical professionals among us that have had knee replacements?
Thank you in advance for taking the time to help her out and answer her message. (((pain-free internet hugs)))
What our members have said so far:
Kim – I’m having my right knee replaced tomorrow. Soooo – good luck to you too!
Shannen – I have yet to have that done but I still wanna say good luck sweetheart may all your dreams come true;)
Jamie – No knee replacements for me but I am a medical assistant and have damage and pain in both feet. Being busy and loving what I do keeps my mind off the pain. You can do whatever you put your heart and mind too!! Our disabilities cannot keep us from our dreams.
Kristy – I had both my knees replaced at 17 and I didn’t go into nursing but without the surgery no way I would of had a career.
Karen – No experience but wanted to wish you good luck!!
Dee – Had mine replaced when I was 19 years old. I’m in my late 30s now. Best thing to ever happen to me!!! The new replacements are made to fit the person, less recovery time, etc. As long as you keep active… It’ll be better than ever!! No more pain!
Kristie – I’ve had both knees replaced. The first when I was 30 and the second at 35. I’m happily married we have a 12 yr old daughter. And I’m 42, and I’m a stay at home mom. I’ve also had both hips replaced, a wrist replaced and both thumb joints have replacements. Oh I would think ice skating or roller skating might be out now but don’t let it limit you in a profession.
Suzanne – I was a nurse for 23 years, i had a hip and a knee and a shoulder. A knee you should be fine, it does feel weird to kneel on it. but you can. Once you are through therapy it will be good and by the time you get to nursing school it will be great. But crawling, stooping, will be a bit of a struggle but you can do it!! I stood and did surgery all day on it, it was good good luck!!
Michele – Wow, they are replacing your knees. I went for a consultation and was told I was way to young for knee replacement. I’m 39. If your knees are that bad then I would say your future career plans may be screwed up if you don’t! Good luck to you!
Candice – I had both knees replaced at the same time at 35 yrs. old. (9 yrs.. ago in July) Married with 3 children & I am always in the go. It was the best decision I made. It’s so worth it! Good luck!
Paula – I’m a veterinarian on feet all day. My boss had his knee replaced and doing second knee…he does fine. My knee has had a synovectomy and my wrist has been plated and I do surgery all day. I wouldn’t let it change your career goals… you need to be stronger than this damn disease. Good luck
Randi – Same story michele^^ was told I’m too young and I’m 25. Rheumy even tried begging surgeons cuz i have the body of an 80 yr old n they wont operate till im back in a wheelchair
Rachelle – I had both of my knees replaced at the same time at age 19 because of my RA. I’m 30 now and I have never had any issues. They do cause limitations in bending down, sitting on the floor, running, etc but I would rather be able to walk and not be wheelchair bound like I was prior to my replacements. I wish u the best of luck and a speedy recovery! {the physical therapist is most likely going to have u get up to walk the very next day after your surgery…so prepare yourself for that.}
Helene – Hi I am 37, and I am going into my second year nursing at uni – hopefully surgery will improve your ability to follow your dreams but wanted to encourage you that because you have ra doesn’t mean you cant become a nurse xx I am on Humira and have been in remission now for 1.5 years I have special considerations for exams where I am allowed to go for a walk when I need to or put my pen down and have a rest or use a computer so make sure you get a specialist letter and the uni will do what they can. All the best xx HUGS oh and they even space out my exams so i dont have to much stress at once x
Rebecca – My grandpa found knee replacements improved his quality of life tenfold i know its scary, but in the long run the replacement may make nursing easier out with the old and in with the new, right?
Melissa – My sister has really aggressive RA and was diagnosed at age 4. She had both knees replaced at age 26 (we are triplets and now 27). She said the pain being gone was one of the best things she ever experienced although her RA is so bad that it is still trying to attack the fake joints. Knee replacements are so far advanced now, especially because they started designing them specifically for women. If anything, the knee replacements gave my sister back function she never knew she’d have again. I assume if you’re looking at a replacement this early, that it will only help your career as a nurse. :o) I’m sure you’ll still have some struggles adjusting to certain movements (therapy helps) but go for your dream, hon. I am more than certain you are strong and will do great regardless of knee surgery. Best wishes!
Leala – I would get a second opinion. I was scheduled for and arthroscopy in both knees. Second surgeon said it not going to treat arthritis, since I never had a full diagnosis. I have bakers cyst in both knees and hard cortisone shots in both. I have been pain free since.. Look at your options for treatment. I’m 26.
Melissa – I agree with Melissa.
Joy – My daughter had both knees done at 18. ( 5 years ago) She loves her knees and went from being in a wheelchair most of the time to walking. My other children could not believe it when they saw her bouncing on them. She as aggressive ra as well and we are now looking at shoulders. Feet and hands are a mess as well but the knees allowed her to be a young person again and go to the mall and movies. Good luck and keep up with the pt. Keep us posted.
Michelle – At your age LOOK at all options! Sure knee replacements are far more advanced however; more technology comes as time passes. You may be able to get cortisone injections or maybe even Orthovisc or Synvisc injections which are typically used for Osteoarthritis. DON’T think surgery is your first and only choice. It’s not. I always get three opinions. The first, the second and then the third to weigh my options. This isn’t something to take lightly obviously. 17 is young. I had my hips done at 23 and 25 and because like car parts they wear down I had to have them redone at 35 and 36 & 37 recently and because they have smaller bone spaces to work with which required bone grafting. HORRIBLE, PAINFUL and a LONGER recovery. BE careful sweetie and do your research even if it means going to a few different doctors. I hope that helps.
Deb – Had RA from age 17, now 45. Had left knee replaced, about to have right replaced. It is the best thing I have ever done! Gone from bed ridden to walking! Drs tell us we r to young because the artificial joints only have a life span of 10 to 15 years. But when it comes down to quality of life it shouldn’t be an issue! Change your rheumatologist or go back and demand he reconsider. I wish I had of done it years ago. You won’t look back!
Toi – Hi everyone! I’ve had RA since age 2, and I’m 19 now. I’ve had many surgeries on my knee right throughout my life. My last one was a total knee at age 15, and it drastically increased my quality of life. I can’t imagine where I’d be without it. It was totally worth it! I wish you the best of luck with your surgeries and your medical career! You can do it!
Danielle – The better question to ask: what will your life be like if you Don’t have the surgeries? If it’s bad enough for knee replacements then I bet not getting them would limit you more Enjoy school, career, & life
Lucy – I’ve had aggressive RA since age 16. Now 43. I have both knees replaced. Two years apart. 2001 & 2003. I love my knees! I still have some limitations but I’ve been careful & they are still going strong! One day I may need to have them done again but it is all worth it because my quality of life is soo much better! Good luck with everything!
Rhonda – Good luck sweetheart. Prayer be with u.
Jaramillo – Love my knees! Got then done about 8 years ago. I also had them done at the same time. No regrets with getting them done at the same time. You will have hard times after surgery but its all worth it. Stay positive and be very patient!
Carrissa – I haven’t had to have any surgery yet, but my arthritis screwed up my plans after graduating from cosmetology school … I’m 26 now .. Got my cosmetology degree 3.5 yrs ago. My passion is doing hair and makeup for people because it is just so fun & feels so rewarding seeing the smile on peoples face, but I cannot do it now. I can rarely for friends and family. My degree is just hanging up on the wall and I can’t have my dream job. Even if I wanted to do something along the lines of nursing… I can’t do anything where I have to stand up all day. I’m working for a call center now where I get to sit down all day, which helps for my lower body, but I have to type all day, so that hurts.. but still is more tolerable for now than working on hair all day. Or standing up all day. And I gotta help pay the bills somehow. But either way .. Never give up .. You’ll never know until you try
Kimberly – good luck sweety! I hope that everything goes well
Mercedes – It could impact you. Many nursing programs require a physical. You cannot get accommodations for the physical needs of the nursing program. While I cannot say for certain if this would disqualify you, it is a possibility in competitive programs.
Becky – I have had surgery twice on my right knee and am still able to work. Get pain once in a while from being on my feet all day long however with help from my rheumatologist I maintain some what.
Danielle – Prayers are with you! Please let us know how it goes!
Kendra – I was a competitive ice skater and have had RA for 19 yrs. I have had 3 arthroscopic, ruptured bakers cysts, millions of cortisone injections, and I’m having a full knee replacement in a few weeks. I’m now a full time Tupperware Demonstrator and need my knees! Can’t wait for surgery. And i pray that I can ice skate again!
Christina – I’ve had one knee & both hips replaced & it was the best thing I ever did. I’m able to walk further & stand longer now. I would have been in a wheelchair by now without my replacements. I had about 2 weeks of pain after surgery & about 6 weeks later I was ready to go! I had a weird sensation for a while after that my knee replacement might bend backwards & my therapist told me it totally common & a lot of patients feel that way, but it’s impossible to do. Still a weird feeling though. Just listen to your therapist, do all of your exercises & enjoy!
Victoria – I had bilateral hip replacements when I was 16. And bilateral knee replacements at 18, I went on to get my masters in speech pathology and work part time at a hospital… Oh and I’m a mum too!
Elaine – I was a nurse when i was diagnosed with severe ra, continued to work for 18 months after diagnosis but had to keep taking more and more time off sick as so many joints were involved, eventually my doctor insisted i give up work. 5 years later i had severe flexion deformities in both knees but because the medical profession thought i was too young to have my knees replaced i was made to wait another d years before my rheumy insisted that the orthopedic dept reconsider and finally i had them replaced. However because it took so long i was left with my right hip out of alignment because of the way i walked,now when i stand with my feet together it feels like my body is twisted. I still don’t walk very well but that is more to do with my feet and ankles. Good luck to you,everyone is different but you may find nursing very challenging with ra .
Nadine – I was in my 1st year of nursing when diagnosed. The moronic rheumy told me to give up nursing, that I should prepare to have a knee replacement soon and that I would be in a wheelchair by age 30. Being the stubborn little biaatch I am it only made me more determined. I finished my nursing and worked. In mental health with the help of splints. I had a rocky path finally had the knee replacement 3 months before my 40th birthday and am now working as a clinical nurse educator in aged care. My boss also has RA and I have another friend who has had it since she was a child who is an RN in neonatal intensive care. Point being if you want it bad enough it can be done. Feel free to message me if you need anything else
Anne – Had both knees done in 1999, the left one flares up occasionally but settles down. Nursing will be challenging but there are various ways to specialize so hopefully be good for you?
Kelly – Been a nurse for 12 yrs. had both knees replaced last year. Big improvement in mobility and pain. Gave up staff nursing for nursing admin. Love it! Love and hugs to u
Tami – Everyone is different but I was an ER nurse for 30 years when it affected my hands and elbows, I could no longer perform prolonged CPR and it was getting harder to manipulate small needles for pediatric doses,lifting people and pushing carts took a toll on my joints, I finally left clinical nursing and went into informatics nursing. If you really want to be a nurse I say pursue it,once you have that degree and a little experience you will always have options…go for it! Don’t let this stop you!
Staci – I had one knee replaced when I was 19 and the other at 21. It was the best thing I did. I’m now 42 and have had no issues with either replacement and still have the original ones. Good luck!
Priscilla – hey there so i thought id put in my two cents in here as well. I got both my knees replaced at the same time at th age of 21, due to stupid arthur (arthritis) literally putting me in a wheelchair for a short time before hand. my knees were soo sore that i couldn’t walk, go up or down steps or even bend my knees without feeling/hearin th bones grind (and I’m one tough biartch ask Nadine Garland) but after i got mine done i was walking around again and keeping up with my friends wen out and even went back to babysitting for awhile. I found it hard to kneel at first coz it was extremely uncomfortable and to get my knees bending past 90 again was hard but being stubborn it just made me more determined to prove to ppl that i would b fine. i have also learnt over my MANY operations to be surrounded by good ppl and stay positive helps you heal quicker. So chin up good luck and if u ever want to talk just give me a shout
Deborah – I had both knees done 5 years ago…best thing I ever did however because the RA has so affected the rest of my body was unable to return to work as a nurse…cant do CPR and the many meds I am on prohibit me working however I do know of a friend who had both knees done and was able to return to work and is still working…there are many areas of nursing that are not as strenuous…so you should be able to pursue your dreams! best advice…get your associates then your bachelors…I was a diploma nurse and I often wonder if I had had my degree I could have worked at some capacity…however the ra is still out of control and the fatigue and brain fog would have prevented my from any work….good luck sweetie nursing is a very hard but rewarding profession third in line to being a wife and mother
Peggy – I’m a nurse and my knees are limiting my ability to work because I haven’t had surgery yet. So, weigh the options. You are so young I think it can only help and give you some mobility back.
Carol – At 43, 12 years ago, I had both knees replaced. Best thing I ever did. Having your knees replaced will be such a blessing for you. The surgery sucks, very painful, but surgery pain goes away. The pain you have now, will never go away. Good luck, and go for it.
Lori – I worked as an RN for 25 yrs until the RA forced me into an early retirement. Joint pain and immobility weren’t the culprits though (I forced myself to get through many a longgggg shift) it was the fatigue and organ involvement. After a 6 month bout of pericarditis and pericardial effusion, steroid induced hyperglycemia, spontaneous fx of 2 ribs and a candidiasis infection of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum…..I called it quits at age 48. As soon as I can develop a little continuity, I want to try again in an administrative setting. Nursing is a wonderful profession and the ability to branch out into a field or specialty which best suits your current condition is always available. Good luck!!!
Lynn – I just had my right knee done in mid October and I have been told by some that at 56 I was too young! As my doctor told me, it’s a quality of life issue and I will tell you I’m glad I did it! My leg was starting to bow and I didn’t realize how off kilter my whole body was til after the surgery. The surgery itself wasn’t painful, but the initial therapy was…just remember IT WILL GO AWAY and you will feel so much better. I did have some issues with sciatica pain and spasms in my hip and butt afterwards but again I think that’s because they realigned my leg. Weigh all your options and do what’s best for you; I wish you all the best!
RA Warriors Philippines – My orthopedist told me that knee replacements are only recommended for people 50 yo and above. Coz after 15-20 yrs due to eventual wear of the mechanism, it needs to be replaced, and the 2nd time will be difficult to install since the bones are already been damaged due to the 1st KR. So, getting it at a younger age might not be a best option. And isn’t 17 still a growth age?
Vera – My daughter is a nursing student…make sure you get the BEST supportive shoes!
Julie – I’m so sorry to hear that. I am 31 had JRA since 1 and had both knees and hips replaced last year and getting 11 more replacements. The surgery is hard and does hurt. I don’t want to sugar coat it BUT the results are amazing. still working on range of motion but not only are my lags and knees straighter and when i walk, i don’t look “funny” as some people put it BUT when i wake up stiff or with a bad flare, my hips and knees are fine. Its just my ankles and upper body that get stiff now. Its great and well worth it. I actually have a blog i just started and i will be talking about each surgery as i go. But I have listed the ones I had done already and other problems and helpful tips. You should check it out. It might be helpful. Juliesjrajoint.com. Good luck and feel free to contact me any time even if its just to vent. Or for questions or comments. I hope i could be of some help.
Clarisa – I’ve been a nurse for almost 10 years and had ra for the last 4 of them, no surgeries though…i was diagnosed at 26. you can still be a nurse, and will probably have a different viewpoint than many of your fellow students. good supportive shoes even without ra are important for nurses.
Invisible Arthur – RA in the UK My own experience of joint replacement (shoulder) and from speaking to others that have had new knees, elbows, hips etc is that it will give you a new lease of life and you’d wish you’d done it years ago. The pain of replacement surgery is a walk in the park compared to arthritis pain. Stay positive and keep your dreams – if nursing is for you then nursing it is
Gail – Amen! I’ve had both knees done and I feel tremendously better!
Sarah – I’ve only had one done and it’s like night and day. I’m so grateful I can walk again. I’m grateful for every step…
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