Another Thing That Makes Me Go “Hmmmm”

By Sheree Ellingson, owner of Senior Helpers of West Jacksonville

Let’s talk about knee replacements. That’s a painful conversation! I have found that in general men do better after a knee replacement than women do. Why is that?  I know the man’s knee replacement device is supposed to be different than a woman’s device; however, even if the replacement is the correct device, men still do better overall.

 My mom had a knee replacement completed approximately 15 years ago. She has been in constant pain ever since. She needed to have the second knee replaced at the same time but now refuses to get the second one done because of her constant pain. Can you relate? My mom’s life is so limited by her inability to walk, sit, stand or move in any way comfortably. This is terrible for her but it’s also hard on everyone around her because she has a tenacity to be cranky all the time from being in pain.

I have been told many times that if one is bowed legged or pigeon toed, knee replacements are always painful and never successful. I haven’t seen or talked to a lot of people with these particular issues, but I do know women walk and carry our weight differently than a man does, maybe that’s why women’s knee replacements are not as successful. Like I said, “hmmm.”