i am a 56 year old man who needs total knee relacement. i can no longer work as a pipefitter in heavy construction. if i get the knee replacement can i go back to work as a pipefitter on heavy construction?

-- john dudy (riodudy@aol.com), June 23, 2001

Answers

Response to knee replacement

Mr. Dudy, If you were my patient, I would not let you go back to heavy construction with a knee replacement. I would have to learn a little bit more about your job, bit my first instinct is No! As you know, all materials wear out in time. At your age with heavy construction the knee would wear out much sooner. The future surgeries would be difficult, have greater risks, and your replacement wouldn't work as well.

-- paul khanuja, md (Drkhanuja@cs.com), July 13, 2001.