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]

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 :biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker:: 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 = :rofl:
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**.
:worship:

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

 

[Blockhead_imp]

Great minds think alike Houtman!

Peterbaron, sounds like a heck of a rough ordeal you went through...geez

My situation is that I’m on the younger end of the spectrum (55) for a replacement but it’s time. I injured the knee about 20 yrs ago, had surgery, been bone on bone for about 12 years and like Mrs. Ferret, now in pain 24/7/365...

 

[the Ferret]

That incessant pain is intolerable making it hard to sleep or anything. All you can think about is that pain. Hope you get some relief. She was 56 when she had it done. They used to say the artificial joints were good for 10 years, but now they are saying 15-20 years.

 

[suhawk305]

Blockhead, I had knee replacement surgery January 2010 when I was 59. The surgery went very well. With a good physical therapy program, my quality of life was greatly improved. I live life not even thinking about the knee.
I have no regrets. Just get suggestions for the best Orthopedic Surgeon in your area. I talked to a Physical Therapist, nurses and people who had the surgery. Good luck!

 

[peterbaron]

Great minds think alike Houtman!

Peterbaron, sounds like a heck of a rough ordeal you went through...geez

My situation is that I’m on the younger end of the spectrum (55) for a replacement but it’s time. I injured the knee about 20 yrs ago, had surgery, been bone on bone for about 12 years and like Mrs. Ferret, now in pain 24/7/365...

Blockhead,
We have to make our decision and get over with it once and forever, leaving our past behind us ...and then we continuu:biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker::biker:
:hello::beerchug:
pb

 

[Rocky_imp]

I'm arriving late to this party, and not meaning to gloat in the least, but at age 80 I still have all the original knee and hip joints which are not the least bit impaired or showing any signs of wear and tear.
I jump out of bed every day ready to go with not the least bit of stiffness or aches and pains. I'm truly blessed and very thankful.

 

[peterbaron]

I'm arriving late to this party, and not meaning to gloat in the least, but at age 80 I still have all the original knee and hip joints which are not the least bit impaired or showing any signs of wear and tear.
I jump out of bed every day ready to go with not the least bit of stiffness or aches and pains. I'm truly blessed and very thankful.

Rocky,
.....so, we cannot call you Road Warrior :rofl:: any longer LOL... and you should carry a new nick sub-name of Peace Angel or Lucky Star... bless you!!! and stay in this perfect shape forever :clap::beerchug: so I wish everybody from this forum!!
Sure i have to meet you on my next trip to NS

pb

 

[Rocky_imp]

I'm arriving late to this party, and not meaning to gloat in the least, but at age 80 I still have all the original knee and hip joints which are not the least bit impaired or showing any signs of wear and tear.
I jump out of bed every day ready to go with not the least bit of stiffness or aches and pains. I'm truly blessed and very thankful.

Rocky,
.....so, we cannot call you Road Warrior :rofl:: any longer LOL... and you should carry a new nick sub-name of Peace Angel or Lucky Star... bless you!!! and stay in this perfect shape forever :clap::beerchug: so I wish everybody from this forum!!
Sure i have to meet you on my next trip to NS

pb

Rocky,
.....so, we cannot call you Road Warrior :rofl:: any longer LOL... and you should carry a new nick sub-name of Peace Angel or Lucky Star... bless you!!! and stay in this perfect shape forever :clap::beerchug: so I wish everybody from this forum!!
Sure i have to meet you on my next trip to NS

pb
Thanks for the kind words

 

[Olyrider]

I had right knee replacement surgery three and one-half years ago. Found the doc considered "best" in Seattle. My pre-surgery issues were a torn/ repaired ACL in 1989 with an accompanying meniscus tear, compounded by staph infection after "minor" procedure to clean up that tear in 2011 that almost cost me the whole leg!

Replacement surgery on a Tuesday morning, one night in the hospital, and I walked the dogs two miles on Friday. The doc said that, unlike ACL repairs, which use another body part like a patellar tendon, everything in a knee replacement is a manufactured artificial piece, so "when the super-glue cures", you are ready to begin PT with no risk of further injury. I went dual-sport riding on forest service roads three weeks after surgery, and resumed racquetball five weeks post-op. No issues whatsoever. My PT, which I began two days post-op, was entirely focused on extension and flexibilty. They will explain that is the key to a successful outcome.

 

[peterbaron]

I had right knee replacement surgery three and one-half years ago. Found the doc considered "best" in Seattle. My pre-surgery issues were a torn/ repaired ACL in 1989 with an accompanying meniscus tear, compounded by staph infection after "minor" procedure to clean up that tear in 2011 that almost cost me the whole leg!

Replacement surgery on a Tuesday morning, one night in the hospital, and I walked the dogs two miles on Friday. The doc said that, unlike ACL repairs, which use another body part like a patellar tendon, everything in a knee replacement is a manufactured artificial piece, so "when the super-glue cures", you are ready to begin PT with no risk of further injury. I went dual-sport riding on forest service roads three weeks after surgery, and resumed racquetball five weeks post-op. No issues whatsoever. My PT, which I began two days post-op, was entirely focused on extension and flexibilty. They will explain that is the key to a successful outcome.

ABSOLUTELY...start exercising muscles even before operation..
Glad to hear U R OK

p.s. do you still have your old knee??. LOL.., 'cus members ( mee too), who have not done their replacement yet would like to see how the old one looks like:rofl:

:beerchug:
pb

 

[Offroad]

Had a hip replacement March 2014, bought my CB April 2014, went to the first Rally May/June 2014!

Pain was gone, but it took 3 years before that titanium hip is 99% back to normal and now is my GOOD hip.

I got so brave I went snow skiing yesterday for the first time in 15 years....now my back hurts ....My how youth it's wasted on the young ;-)

Rehab before the surgery was hard as I was already in pain, exercising just made more pain.

My only fear of doing the other one is coming off my blood thinner for a few days and throwing a clot during recovery.

Oh and now I'm afraid with this opioid crisis the Dr would rather let me be in pain than risk his career.