Anybody use the VA for knee replacement?

[hammerdown51]

Went to the VA today after waiting 3 months to see the Ortho doc (couldn't hardly understand the guy from India I think). I've had bone on bone for several years with knee pain since the mid-seventies. VA put me on a "waiting list" and it'll be sometime in 2013 unless they have a last minute cancellation and nobody else on the waiting list takes the spot.

Anyway they said they use 3 different manufacturers: Stryker, Smith and Nephew, and Dupuy. I've heard of Stryker and that's who my private doc (Ronal Hale) uses.

Has anyone had a knee replacement or know of anybody who has had one done at the VA? Were they happy/not happy with the results?

Thanks for any input.

 

[hammerdown51]

bump. Anybody?

 

[angsniper]

After being in military healthcare for 20 years I wouldn't touch it with a 10ft pole.
Does that help?

 

[SMS]

One of my uncles had one done at the VA several years ago. It went well and held up for a few years until he drugged himself to death...but that's a different story.

My MIL had both knees done at the Air Force hospital down at Eglin AFB....both surgeries went great and she has regained a lot of mobility. I think her's were Stryker...

(I'm a beneficiary of 22 years active duty exposure, and 4 years retired exposure, to the military medical system, with few complaints)

 

[Pulp]

My brother had one done through the VA, but I'm not sure if it was actually done in a VA hospital. It may have been bid out, and a private doctor did the surgery. Anyway, that all happened in Alabama, so my answer probably doesn't help much.