How does past GBS affect joint replacement?

GBS can damage the nerves (Myelin and Axons) that control the muscles. The degree of damage and repair varies widely by individual. If the nerve damage was substantial enough to result in some muscle atrophy, I could see that getting in the way of joint replacement recovery.

My mom, age 82, has been diagnosed with CIDP since 2002. She has been on prednisone and receives IVIG infusions. She has responded to treatment, but is suffering from severe arthritis in her knees. She has just relocated to live near me, and we visited an orthopedic surgeon about her knees. He believes she may be a candidate for a knee replacement. We will be talking to her neurologist next week, but I was wondering if anyone could share his or her experience with joint replacement with CIDP or GBS. Specifically, I would like to ask the Cat Lady if she could share more details about the challenges she is having with her recovery.

Hello
I am widowed female b. O2.26.1945 and had G.B. With plasmapheresis treatments over the 2weeks in hospital; about3 months to stand and walk with canes and soft fabric midriff body brace. Rehab on my own because ins did not cover even as outpatient June 1991. Stable ambulatory after second year. Residual issues of varied discomfort(pain), hands and overall strength varied, fatigue, and went thru early menopause however the periodic hot flashes sweating for “acceptable” quality life. Endurance compramised. Not return to work but finished raising my family (and spouse) lumpectomy for breast ca with radiation. Osteopharesis with surg repair of rt hand/ulna/radious fracture and revision surgery the next year and total hip two years ago. Recovery great esp hip.
5’2″ and 110 wt. o.k. health even as I went through years home care of my handicapped husband Was 6’6″ and two hundred fifty pounds.
I have been diagnosed with multiple autoimmune over the years until lab and symptoms and extreme bedridden fatigue the past two years …..now connective tissue lupus
AND still thriving! Hard to believe sometimes.
Cheers to your recovery. Hope your pain decreases. I think hip recovery appears to be easier ? I see from so many friends the longer time and more pain recovering so hopefully you wiil be more comfortable real soon!

I am so Happy to see this Forum of knee replacement and GBS. I had GBS in 1974 as a 12 year old. No advance treatments were available yet, so I did PT and OT for 8 years, basically all my School life. Calf and ankle muscles are very weak i.e. cannot do tip toes, walk on sides of feet and have gait they could not correct. So now I am not 55 yrs old and have had swelling in both knees, pain when walking any distance. August of 2016 I was walking my Dog 1 mile daily, working full time and did not need assistance to walk and do stairs. Fast forward to Dec 2016, experiencing give out on right knee, pain, fluid build up. Did cortisone and gel injections – No help. Orthoscopic surgery to repair torn menisus and they found a lot of Arthritis and zero cartiliage. I am off work since May 2017 on medical, use a cane and cannot do stairs, even 1 step, if so I need both arms on support and try to do straight legged as bending is painful and both knees are weak. I have been active in past! How can both knees break down at same time? Can I succeed with Knee surgery replacement. I have been told by some Ortho Doctors that there is nothing they can do because they cannot fix lower extremites of weakness and atrophy of muscle. My current Ortho Doctor said it would help with pain to remove arthristis but in the end I will still walk same which I believe has caused the Knee issue in first place. Anyone have any thoughts, help, experience? I am located in Michigan. Thanks 😉