Choose a session of the “Virtual” Bone and Joint Health Series to rewatch!

Read the q&A with dr. digioia below the videos

Get "Hip" about arthritis and what you "Knee'd" to know about non-operative treatment options in part 1 of a 5 part series of lectures taken from our "Virtual" Bone and Joint Health Series.
Get "Hip" about arthritis and what you "Knee'd" to know about surgical treatment options in part 2 of a 5 part series of lectures taken from our "Virtual" Bone and Joint Health Series.
Get "Hip" about arthritis and what you "Knee'd" to know about rapid recovery programs following surgery in part 3 of a 5 part series of lectures taken from our "Virtual" Bone and Joint Health Series.
Get "Hip" about arthritis and what you "Knee'd" to know about why sex matters in part 4 of a 5 part series of lectures taken from our "Virtual" Bone and Joint Health Series.
Get "Hip" about arthritis and what you "Knee'd" to know by watching this informative Ask the Experts Panel Discussion and Q&A, part 5 of a 5 part series of lectures taken from our "Virtual" Bone and Joint Health Series.

Q&A with Dr. DiGioia

Question: Had a total hip replacement on my right side in 2015. It left me with significant leg length discrepancy. Will this be an issue with a total knee replacement on the left leg? I am terrified that I will be more ‘off balance’ than I am now!

Answer: No, in fact when you have the other side replaced, the surgeon will also likely lengthen that side to match your first side. Remember that as part of arthritis, you lose joint space and bone so the arthritic hip is actually shorter.

Question: Will a loose hip replacement without infection heal itself? They determined mine was loose from the results of a nuclear bone scan. It doesn’t feel loose. It just has weight bearing pain. 10 months post op.

Answer: If the bone has not grown into the implant by 10 months, then it is very unlikely to grow in unfortunately. You should also definitely be worked up for an “occult” or subtle infection since loosening at 10 months is not very common.

Question: Is there such a thing as ‘waiting too long” or being too old for surgery?

Answer: Not all all. No one is too young or too old any longer and especially as long as you keep your motion (especially in knees). I still recommend getting regular x-rays every year as well just to make sure that we know what is going on inside.

Question: Is it ok to kneel (think praying) or do ‘girl pushups’ from hand and knee position after a total knee replacement?

Answer: Absolutely. Kneeling on a replaced knee will not accelerate any wear. I will warn you that it feels a bit strange though and I recommend that patients get a cushion or pad to kneel on so its more comfortable. Not being able to kneel on a replaced knee is from the old school now!

Question: I’m taking cortisone shots in both knees every 4-5 months, and pain management is satisfactory. Both knees are bone on bone. My concern now is stability: when standing still, after a couple of minutes at most my knees are very stiff and movement is painful. If I can move a bit things are okay. In any case, though, I find that my knees “slip” and I’m off balance. Also, stairs are extremely problematic for me. Is it time for replacement surgery?

Answer: Sounds like you are getting close. Pain is still the driving factor but when the instability is coupled with pain, then it may be time. Also, we never want patients to fall and hurt something else!

Question: I have bone on bone arthritis and also torn ACL in both legs. The pain is more from the ligaments than bones. Does a knee replacement help in this case?

Answer: The pain is from the bone on bone and not the ACL deficiency. In addition, the ACL is likely worn as part of the arthritis and not a problem by itself. When the ACL is gone in a knee that has normal joint surfaces, ie no arthritis, the symptom is giving way. This can happen with arthritis too but also associated with pain. Age is also a factor. On the good side, all modern TKR systems make up for the ACL AND PCL which are typically gone or dysfunctional in an arthritic knee.

Question: I’m new to this diagnosis of RA. I have had both knees and hip shots. I’m currently now on infusions for the rest of my life. I am 45 years old female, what does it mean or should I say in what stage of RA am I, does it mean my arthritis is progressed?

Answer: Not at all. These infusions are to prevent the deterioration in your joints so sounds like you are doing the best thing you can do right now. Prevention is always better!