knee implants - how are they determined?

[razorsedge]

I used to be very active (water skiing, hiking, journeyman plumber, handy-man, lover, etc.)  Now I sit at my computer play video games, take pain meds (which takes me out of the lover loop), and I wait for knee-replacement surgery.  My question is this (I've been looking at alot of websites and am now totally confused).  How do I (or more importantly, my doc), know what size of implant to put in my knee?  Is there a regular formula docs use to measure to make sure that the knee and the implant work together?  As I said, I am a (sitting on my butt), journeyman plumber, and the way things are designed to work is very important to me.  I have been retrained for a new job (since after the surgery, climbing ladders and carrying 150 pound pipes is out).  Is there a good website that explains knee replacement surgery and especially how the implant size is determined to fit the individual knee?  Thanks for your info.  Merry Christmas to you all.

[zeusa1a]

I just had a bi-lat tkr. The way they size them is determined when they have your knee(s) opened up, the hospital has the complete range of tkr hardware, at that time they choose the correct size to fit your particular joint(s). By the way, I am a journeyman electrician and all I do now is sit in front of my computer all day, take pain killers and collect Social Security. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!

[cowher]

i would check the internet and do some res. on knee replacement, there are so many types on knees, and not all docs use the same knee, i would find the knee you are interested in and find a doc, that is a specialest on this type knee and i would go and get a opp. from them, they know the size but it might not be the right knee for you. do some rec. on knee replacement.

[broke123]

i work for an ortho doctor and he does total knee replacements all the time. but i gota tell u, ive never had a patient ask me "how they know what size implant to put in". thats usually now a concern.
but from what i know.. the company that provides the impant itself has a representative whos medically trained and knows as much about the surgery as the surgent does. his job is to provide knowlege and additional guidance for the surgent at the time of the surgery.
dont worry, they wont give u the wrong size ;)