Client Testimonial – Bilateral Oxford Partial Knee Replacements
Jans, Marbella
‘It was a painful recovery after having both knees partially replaced, but now, I am glad I have done it. I am very happy I chose Dr. Thomas Boerger
It’s over and now I can enjoy life again. I had suffered many years of pain in my knees, but then about 4 months before my surgery, it got to the point where I could hardly walk’.
The pain in Jans’ knees got so bad that she could hardly walk. She knew she had to do something. She researched the best orthopaedic surgeons and likes what she saw online about Dr. Thomas Boerger.
What’s more her home is close to HC Marbella, the base for Dr Boerger’s private practice.
Consultation and Procedure
‘I found Dr. Thomas Boerger to be very helpful throughout my consultation,’ says Jans. ‘He really took time to explain everything and show me images and videos, so I understood what a Bilateral Oxford Knee replacement was.’
Jans had her consultation at HC Marbella. This private, luxury hospital offers same-day imaging, whether x-rays or MRIs, so Jans was able to have her x-rays taken at the time for the consultation and then Dr Boerger could review them and make his recommendations – which was that both knees would be partially replaced.
The operation was performed a week later, under spinal anaesthetic and sedation.
Recovery
Now six weeks on, ‘I think the surprise for me was how painful the initially recovery was. The first 2 or 3 days were hard, and I had to be given morphine. Yet each day I got better, and after 6 weeks I no longer needed the crutches to walk, nor taking the strong pain killers to sleep’, explained Jans.
‘I continue with my physio exercises at home, using a chair, and also use a static bicycle. I am so glad I have had both knees done at the same time. It’s over now and I can enjoy my life. During my recovery I still need to take it easy. If I overdo it, there is discomfort, but with an icepack the inflammation and pain quickly goes. I am very happy I found Dr. Thomas Boerger!’
Surgeon Comment
Jans had medial compartment osteoarthritis of both her knees as clinically assessed and confirmed on X-rays. We elected to operate on both knees, starting with the more painful left knee followed the right one, during the same surgery.
We typically provide a multimodal anaesthetic in surgery and use opioid painkillers sparingly in the immediate post-operative period. The pain perception after surgery varies from patient to patient.
Patients suitable for partial knee replacement typically retain their knee mobility relatively well, both before and after surgery. The associated rehabilitation for these patients is straight forward and need not involve repeated movement in the partially replaced knees. Range of motion exercises and the use of exercise equipment is counterproductive, resulting in unnecessary swelling and pain. Physiotherapy, in this context, is best limited to simply focus on gait training and ensure safe mobilisation with crutches on even ground and on stairs.