Easing The Pain Of Knee Arthritis

For Boomers, New Knee-Replacement Could Feel More Natural - And Ease Healing

(CBS)  For 30 years, Katherine Upson took care of others. She was a nurse - until her arthritic knees started to betray her.

What sort of movements were bothering her the most?

“With my right knee especially, I can't bend it more than this,” she said, demonstrating for CBS News contributing medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

And if she tries bringing it further back…

“Yes ... excruciating and I can't straighten it all the way either,” Upson said.

At 54, she was told she needed a new right knee. Her knee cap didn't line up for a long time, a doctor told her.

That didn't surprise her. But she was surprised when her doctor, Steven Haas, told her he would give her a high-performance kind of knee that moves and feels more like a natural one. It's especially good for women, he said, who require new knees more often than men because theirs are less muscular and more prone to injuries.

As compared to standard replacements, this new knee is narrower around the kneecap. Made of special ceramic, it's designed to be easier to bend and rotate.

It seems to make more sense to make it more anatomically correct, but does it make a difference?

"What you want to have the knee do is be all the way shaped like her knee,” Haas explained. “We need to shape the implants like the natural bones are shaped, and that means shaping the female knee to fit the female anatomy and shaping the male knees to have male anatomy.”

The operation costs between $25,000 and $35,000 - slightly more than the traditional knee replacement. But this procedure is done with tinier instruments, meaning smaller incisions. And that speeds up recovery by about six weeks.

“So how did it go today?” Gupta asked Haas after Upson’s surgery.

“It went great. The implant felt great, it had a great fit,” Haas said. “The ligaments felt really balanced and her knee moved really well.”

If another patient of Dr. Hass's is any indication, she might do more than she could ever imagine. Ten months after her operation, Diane Magnani was back to running and even skydiving.

“My new knee is great,” Magnani said. “I can keep running and do anything Ii want.”

A few days after surgery, Upson was walking with a cane. She should be about to play catch with her dog, Sadie, in about six weeks.

---

The knee featured in this piece is called the Journey Knee made by Smith & Nephew. Visit the Web site for more information and a surgeon locator.
For more resources, check out the Arthritis Foundation and the Hospital for Special Surgery.

[Arizona A]

Can you spell superficial! Knee replacements large or small are nothing new. How about alternatives without knee replacement. Are we rebuilding knees? Give some meat, not superficial dribble.

[atbeech]

Please cite the Arthroscopic study mentioned tonight. At 50, I had successful arthro surgery done on arthritic knee -- giving me at least 5 more years before replacement. Don''t agree with doctors wanting to skip this alternative in patients over 50 years old. Thanks.

[rhopuck]

I found the information very interesting but what is the knee called? Who makes it? Not enough information provided.

[geridons]

I am an orthopedic surgeon. Your show was very informative. It should have included the new technology of computer navigation surgery and MIS (minimally invasive surgery). No matter how good the materials are that are used in artificial knees the absolute perfect alignment of the knee inserted is key to the longevity of the prosthesis and this is best achieved with use of computer navigation. The lady who was running should not have been running as this will wear her knee out faster, and it was apparent that her knee was going into varus thrust while running which will cause problems.

[taureninski]

I am a disabled vet. I have had 7 reconstructive surgeries. The last surgery they repaired my left arm and I thought it was to repair a rotator cuff. When I left the surgery I found that they had cut bone off my colar bone and shoulderblade from arthritis. I was hoping this was a bit broader information concerning the treatment of arthritis since it seems it is now throughout my body. Are you going to do more on this topic so that we can find alternatives available than might otherwise be offered through the V.A. for treatment?

[wlcompton]

The idea of reclaiming my active lifestyle sounds great! Other surgeons who I have spoken with about knee replacement say that resuming running or jogging will prematurely wear out their knee joint of choice. I am remote from NYC. Is this knee available at other locations/states? Does this joint have a specific name that I could ask a local surgeon about (the model or type)?

[bafkelly]

Who is the manufacturer of this particular knee? There are many companies that make the knee replacements. More information would certainly be helpful. Will there be a follow up?

[foosbill]

I am very interested in the Dr. Steven Haas knee replacement surgery. Who do I contact to get more information on the surgery?
William Gramacy

[pyoura]

I would like the name of the implant and a list of doctors who use it in the state of Wisconsin.
Arthroscopic surgery done on a knee filled with osteoarthritis is like stirring up a hornets nest!!!
It doesn''t work.

[jg6155]

HMMM,interesting...but:
someone saying they were on the staff and this story has posted on AOL Rheumatoid Arthritis message boards!
Hello, investigate the difference between Osteo and Rhuematoid Arthritis please!
thanks

[paton7]

My husband age 60 is going to be having a total knee replacement with in the next 2 months. He has had arthroscopic surgery twice in the last 2 years. Any info. you can give me regarding this new knee surgery and if it is available in New York State would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[lawyertom1]

It is important to bear in mind that many orthopedic surgeons have a strong financial incentive to encourage their patients to undergo surgery. I was very lucky. Though at least in theory [results of x-rays] both my knees should be replaced in the near future, my doctor encouraged me to pursue physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and lose weight to decrease the load. As a result, my surgery will occur years from now because I have eliminated the stiffness and pain, and greatly increased the strength. That is why he is one of the best nationally; he does not need to push patients into surgery. You have options. It is also important to bear in mind you age and the useful life of the artificial knee. The last thing you want to be doing is having your knee replaced (again) when there is a very high probability of nasty side effects (e.g., strokes in your 80''s plus). The longer you can wait, the better off you will be. Also, it is always prudent to be wary to overly enthusiatic media stories about new medical devices; many have crashed on the shoals of time.

[amastello]

Thanks for the info. Can you provide info on Hyalgan injections also? I am about to start the process on both knees and will likely need replacement of both in 1-5 years. Very interested in Dr. Haas knee surgery. I live in TX and wonder where he is located. I am very athletic and find this very difficult but technology gives me hope.

[susanw1206]

Dr. McGenius is what I call him. Had the operation on June 1st and went back to work three weeks later. I literally had no life before the operation and I had tried all other options. Dr. Haas gave me back my life. I take walks, run after the grandchildren, go to the mall, do grocery shopping, things I could not do before - and I no longer use a cane. My age could have been a factor in my speedy recovery - I am 57 and have no other issues that would have caused complication. But everyone in Dr. Haas'' waiting room could attest to his prowess. And I might add that he spends extensive time with his patients - something that I found most reassuring. By the way, the hospital he operates out of is top notch. If you have to go anywhere - the Hospital for Special Surgery is the place. Every person I encountered there was professional and compassionate - I was almost sorry to leave.

[susanw1206]

Dr. McGenius is what I call him. Had the operation on June 1st and went back to work three weeks later. I literally had no life before the operation and I had tried all other options. Dr. Haas gave me back my life. I take walks, run after the grandchildren, go to the mall, do grocery shopping, things I could not do before - and I no longer use a cane. My age could have been a factor in my speedy recovery - I am 57 and have no other issues that would have caused complication. But everyone in Dr. Haas'' waiting room could attest to his prowess. And I might add that he spends extensive time with his patients - something that I found most reassuring. By the way, the hospital he operates out of is top notch. If you have to go anywhere - the Hospital for Special Surgery is the place. Every person I encountered there was professional and compassionate - I was almost sorry to leave.

[susanw1206]

Dr. McGenius is what I call him. Had the operation on June 1st and went back to work three weeks later. I literally had no life before the operation and I had tried all other options. Dr. Haas gave me back my life. I take walks, run after the grandchildren, go to the mall, do grocery shopping, things I could not do before - and I no longer use a cane. My age could have been a factor in my speedy recovery - I am 57 and have no other issues that would have caused complication. But everyone in Dr. Haas'' waiting room could attest to his prowess. And I might add that he spends extensive time with his patients - something that I found most reassuring. By the way, the hospital he operates out of is top notch. If you have to go anywhere - the Hospital for Special Surgery is the place. Every person I encountered there was professional and compassionate - I was almost sorry to leave.

[aclark3012]

Hi: I had a knee replacement--suppossedly the Journey knee-10-08-it was the worse thing I ever done. I am in constant pain, pres meds, including tylenol with codeine in order to get out of the bed. I had to retire on disablilty, was told by my doctor this was a fractured knee,and It needed to be replaced--which unfortunately I believed him and almost died during the process--including having 2 blood clots. Just recently I decided to get a mri printout and it says no fracture found, but a remote possiblity of a microfracture. I was told by another doctor this one will have to be replaced again in order to be out of pain.-something about it not being lined up. The surgeon who did the operation offered to manipulate it after 3 1/2 months--this is why I went for another opinion.--new doctor says it may fracture if I had it manipullated--On top of this the other knee is bone-on-bone and needs to be replaced too. My point is this-be careful who you let do the Surgery--if the wrong person does it you can end up in worse shape than before the surgery--I am so disapointed in this surgery I could scream if it would help--