Robert Gregory

Can I introduce my self to you all out there in cyber land .I am the manager and founder of this web site. This site was produced with the help of the staff of the Orthopaedic Department at The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool, UK.

You will ask why was this site built it was built for the benefit of people who are having their knees and or Hips replaced. We are at the moment working on the section of the web site for Total Hip Replacements. About 4years ago I had my first knee replaced after having 5 operations on my knees. I had a look for information on the patients point of view about having your knee replaced and their was very little information telling the patient what it was like to go through having this major operation.

So I set about getting as much information on having your knee replaced, Hence this Web Site .It is important that you as an individual do as you are told by the professionals. What I mean is that you need to do the full exercises they tell you about before the procedure and the full exercises after the procedure it is not easy but it has to be done for your benefit. We have set out all of the exercises on this site; I have been in Hospital so many times and seen people trying to do their exercise and going through the motions but not doing them, which sets them back. You need to help your self.

People come on to the site and ask me all kinds of questions such as what is the pain like after the operation this is an individual thing. Don’t forget many of you would have been in pain any way with the arthritic knee I was in constant pain with my left knee before I had it replaced I have no pain now and I have a fine knee. Its expectations you cannot go out jogging on the roads but you can have a normal life with a good knee. . They say how long will it take for me to see any benefit again this depends on you doing your exercises etc. It took me 6 months to get back to normal after my first operation and to be pain free. There should be no pain in your knee if it is working properly. People say about movement of the knee yes there is some limited movement but you will have to learn how to put your socks on again. I have 2 different knees fitted one is a bog standard knee the other is the very latest knee from Smith and Nephew the Oxinium Knee and I will be giving regular reports on both of these knees.

Having your second knee replaced is very different to the first, as you will know what to expect there are advantages and disadvantages. What I mean is you would have already gone through the process once and knows about it. But the disadvantages are that you have to work even harder on the second leg, as your first knee to be replaced could be weaker than the original knee. So it is important that the muscles in the second leg are built up to compensate you for any weakness. The reason that I had to have my both knees replaced and I will have to have all my major joints replaced some time in my life time is that I suffer from premature arthritis brought on by a genetic disease called Alkaptonuria if you want to know more about Alkaptonuria go to our other web site which explains it in detail on www.alkaptonuria.info

If you would like to contact me and ask any questions or just need support or advice you can contact me on the following Manager@jrin.info or aku.aps@tiscali.co.uk or contact by phone 0151-7371862.

We hope that this web site is useful to you as an individual from someone who has gone through with having a double knee replacement and being a member of an exclusive club.

Best of look with your experiencesÉ Robert Gregory ÉManager. Joint Replacement Information Network.

1. Mrs Linda Wood

2. Mrs Patricia Tubey

Patient Case Study Mrs Linda Wood

Mrs Linda Wood is a 49 year-old voluntary playgroup leader for the local church. She presented to Mr John Davidson, a leading orthopaedic surgeon, suffering with increasing chronic pain in her left knee for many years. The initial problem occurred when she was knocked down by a car at the age of 8 years and dislocated her knee.

From the age of 18 years Linda underwent various knee operations via arthroscopic surgery to remove old debris from the knee, and steroid injections with the aim of improving movement and pain. These provided temporary relief but over the years her knee had become worn and rough leading to arthritis and chronic pain. This subsequently meant that she had to consider having the knee replaced.

However, at that time Linda was only 47 years old, and would not normally be considered for a knee implant until she was older when there was an increased chance of a traditional implant lasting 12 years, without the need for second surgery.

Linda was surprised when Mr Davidson said she could have a knee replacement, due to the development of Oxinium, a new implant that is more durable than standard implants and therefore suitable for younger patients. Linda was to be the first patient to receive the Oxinium knee with Mr Davidson as the surgeon.

Linda was admitted to the Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals in February 2003, where Mr Davidson performed a total knee replacement using one of the first Oxinium knee implants in the UK.

Considering Linda’s medical history her recovery was remarkable; after only two physiotherapy sessions she was able to walk with sticks after 5 weeks, can climb the stairs again, and walk long distances. She was used to having a plaster cast after previous surgery and was amazed that she didn’t need this after her knee replacement.

Linda comments, “My knee was so painful before the operation that I could not walk up the stairs normally. Also, I am just celebrating 30 years of marriage, and have grandchildren who I want to be able to enjoy and play with while I am young. This knee has meant I can live my life now. I have the same problem in my right knee, but I am so convinced by this knee replacement that Mr Davidson plans to operate on my right knee early next year.”

Patient Case Study - Mrs Patricia Tubey

Mrs Patricia Tubey is 57 years old and used to be a clerical worker in the IVF unit of the Aintree Hospital. She now does voluntary work for Cancer Research UK. She presented to Mr John Davidson, a leading orthopaedic surgeon, after suffering with increasing chronic pain in her right knee since she was in her mid-forties. The initial problem occurred when she broke her femur at the age of 23.

For the last 10-12 years she has had steroid injections to help reduce the pain in her knee.Patricia read an article in the ‘Liverpool Echo’ about Mr Davidson and the Oxinium Knee Replacement, which prompted her to contact her GP who arranged a consultation for her.

Patricia was admitted to the Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals at the end of April 2004, where Mr Davidson performed a total knee replacement using one of the newly available Oxinium knee implants.

She made a very quick recovery after the operation within a week she was walking with 2 crutches, and then with just one after 10 days, and after 2 weeks she could walk unaided. She now only has a scar that is fading fast.

Incredibly only two months after her surgery, in July 2004 Patricia was able to go on holiday to Lake Maggiore, Italy, where she joined her husband on mountain walks, the first time in years that she was able to do this.

Patricia comments, “My knee was so painful before the operation that I could hardly walk to the local shops. I found gardening painful and had given up all sport except swimming. On holidays I couldn’t accompany my husband on walks to discover the local area, I used to just sit and wait for his return. But now that I am fully mobile I can enjoy life to the full again. We can also plan holidays in advance, which we couldn’t do before my operation in fact we are considering a trip to Canada next year.”