Anyone Still Ride After Knee Replacement?

[Blockhead_imp]

It’s well known that many of the good folks in this forum are of Baby Boomer age and beyond.

I’m wondering if anybody has had a knee and/or other lower joint replaced, and how well did you function on the bike afterward? My knee replacement surgery (left) is scheduled for the end of January and I’m hoping that after a couple months I’m strong and confident enough to get back in the saddle.

Anyone care to chime in with their experiences with this? I looked for an ‘aches and pains’ thread to no avail.

[redbirds_imp]

I had a left knee replacement in 2011 and have not had any problem with riding. Before the surgery my main complaint was with mounting and dismounting. The length of recovery after the surgery was the only bother but I'm happy I had it done.

[Frulk_imp]

I’ve NEVER heard anyone say they regretted having a knee or hip replacement. In fact, most of the patients I spoke to said they wish they would have had it done much sooner to avoid the pain and functional impairment. You’ll be starting rehab/PT almost immediately post surgery. Statistically the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor of a functional recovery and improvement in your quality of life. Mind you, that’s not a guarantee, just an observation on the topic asked. If you asked about rotator cuff outcomes I’d be giving you a different song and dance. Don’t sell the bikes. I’m betting you’ll be riding for a long time.

[Nortoon_imp]

Doing the physiotherapy exercises is the key to healthy healing. I suffering with lower back problems for decades. It got to point where I was almost disabled. My physiotherapy included 45 minutes of exercises a day at home. I found the time to do them, and within 3 weeks the back pain was gone.

A friend's wife suffered with knee pain and quietly spent most of her time stuck at home. After her knee surgery she is a completely different person both physically and mentally.

[Ole_imp]

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer. I will just say good luck. Not a day goes by that I don't long for my old knee. My Dr call me a "one %er" as in one percent of his patients wish they never had it done.

[the Ferret]

my wife had both knees done at the same time. It was brutal. She no longer pilots her own bike but does ride with me every chance she gets. She was bone on bone, pain 24/7/365 before the surgery. She no longer feels the pain and she's glad she had it done, but she can no longer kneel in her garden. She can't jump. But that may be more mental than physical to tell the truth. Her knees don't bend as well as they did pre surgery, but the pain is gone and she's happy for that.

[peterbaron]

Blockedhead, your question is just about the time for me as well...

I'am facing L-knee replacement this year due to its wear caused by an ugly motorcycle accident in '71..., when we (I was a passenger), while passing one truck, got "stuck" between two tractor-trailers going in opposite direction with a speed of about 60 km/h each.
As a result, I suffered a double fracture to my left thigh and partial knee destruction + long lasting tissue infection.
It took almost 3 years out of my life, 4 operations total + some other side effects due to amount of taken antibiotics for prolonged time.
My knee doctor (not an orthopedic surgeon), who presently takes care of my knee says, that patients own satisfaction after knee replacement is only 55% versus 95% of hip replacement.
My physiotherapist says : MUST do exercise/muscle build up preparation BEFORE knee replacement...and of course after it if, I want sure and speedy recovery.
And my personal advise is:; ALWAYS believe in successful operation , rehabilitation leading to speedy & sure recovery !!
So, I wish you, others and soon myself GOOD LUCK and of course continuus : forever and ever!!!, and never ever give up!!

Total, my body went through 6 operations, still working full time (retirement nearby) and brain is still within the specs =
Internet is a resourceful tool, so read about total knee replacement, preparation & recovery after.

Cheers,
pb

[Houtman_imp]

Blockhead , I often thought that we should have an "aches and pains "
thread on the Forum.
Could be useful for many riders.

[peterbaron]

my wife had both knees done at the same time. It was brutal. She no longer pilots her own bike but does ride with me every chance she gets. She was bone on bone, pain 24/7/365 before the surgery. She no longer feels the pain and she's glad she had it done, but she can no longer kneel in her garden. She can't jump. But that may be more mental than physical to tell the truth. Her knees don't bend as well as they did pre surgery, but the pain is gone and she's happy for that.

Wow!! My full respect to her for her courage to do both at one shot... gone through he**.


pb

[the Ferret]

yep doc told her to do both, because if she had one done, she'd never have the second one done lol

that's how I felt after my shoulder surgery. I said I'd let my other arm fall off before I'd do that again