My FIL had 2, my Uncle 1. Wife's cousin's husband had 2. All are quite happy with the outcome! Then we can add my Dad's ankle, my Uncle's wife's 2 hips. Again, happy! Oh, and the youngest of these was wife's cousin at about 70 years of age. Dad's ankle at 85, FIL's knees around 87, etc.
@Bruce Did your dad have an ankle replacement or a fusion? There have been some very mixed results in this area and by different doctors on the knee replacements. At this point I am doing something that is "considered alternative & experimental" PRP PROLOTHERAPY. It's been around since the 50's but since they cannot patent it so the doctors and drug companies can't make a million on it, it is not well accepted. Have done alot of research, talked to a bunch of people who have ALL been very happy with it. If it works as they say, it will rebuild my ankle and knee joints" tendons, ligaments and cartilidge. OF COURSE, it is not covered by insurance, but hey, with the ridiculously high deductibles nowadays, I have yet ever gotten anything paid for by insurance. My female doctor clued me in on it and so it is the route that I am taking at this point. Painful, but very little chance of the complications that surgery has. And I can go back to work a couple of days after, even if it is still hurting, like it was hurting before anyway....
The reason I had to put that in was because I was trying to time things, to have the knee done,then spring calving, then get through haying season, then fall calving, then have the ankle done late that year to take advantage of the fact that I would have used up my deductible. Plus the ankle they say I will be out for 6 months...
@CntryBoy777 My ankle is so bad 5 different drs want to fuse it, one has said replacement, and none give me more than a 50% chance of good results.....So I am not quite ready for a "slice and dice" of any joint. I have not yet found anyone that is dissatisfied with the prolotherapy, and I have gone online and talked to alot of people in the drs office that said yes it hurts, and yes they will do it again if it means no surgery. Kobe Bryant went to germany for a similiar type procedure and highly recommends it. Have now had 3 treatments and they say I may need up to 12 to get the ankle in fair to good shape due to the wear & tear & damage done over the years pounding on concrete. Still seems worth it to try to save my own joints.
