Knee surgery

I am 70 and have pacemaker which I am 100 % depended on and on blood thinners. Went to Dr today to see about knee replacements and he said I couldn't have it done because to risky. Anyone else been turned down because of pacemaker?


5 Comments

which doctor?

by Tracey_E - 2017-07-06 14:44:25

Did you talk to the orthopedist or cardiologist? If it's the orthopedist, have them call the cardio to discuss. They can do virtually any surgery with the pacer, there are steps they take so being dependent is not an issue. If I had to guess I'd say it's the blood thinners that are the problem, but they might be able to work around that, depending on your overall health.

knee surgery

by seagull - 2017-07-06 15:01:26

Hi,ive been waiting for a complete new knee replacement  for the past 5 years ,no one would touch me with having heart issues,the doctors seem to run off,i guess they are scared in case we have a issue due to the heart problems,ive been steadly been trying for years with my heart team trying every thing,my issues are the rytham and fast af, had several ablations ,etc etc,so after a long time they decided to put a permanant dual pacemaker  in and then after a few weeks do a av node ablation to destroy its,now 3 days since ,ive had it done,feeling poorly sore and sorry for myself,i will have to wait and see how its going, but was hopeing that i would be able to make plans for my full knee replacement.now after reading your post ,i feel rather mixed.does this mean like you they still wont touch me.so unfair,they dont have to live like it.

DOCTOR SAYS NO

by BOBJ - 2017-07-06 15:16:45

I had to change my regular doc (gp). It took me 3 months to locate one that would take me because of the risk.

other members

by Tracey_E - 2017-07-06 15:49:04

Here are some other comments from members who have had it done. The risk is clots, not the pacer. 

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/1688/knee-replacement-and-pacer

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/3845/having-knee-replacement-surgery

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/29783/knee-replacement

other members

by seagull - 2017-07-07 11:11:05

trying to look at the mesages of the above ,and says does not exist.

You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

Member Quotes

I have earned my Black Belt. I now teach class!