Knee replacement

[RC Vikings]

Has anybody gone through this or been close to someone who has?

I tore my knee up skiing when I was seventeen and it may be time for a new one. At the time the doctor said it was the worst one he had ever seen so I've probably been lucky to get another 36 years out of it. I couldn't run without it hurting so I turned to cycling and that has actually been one wonderful thing so come out of it. I now limp when I get out of my desk or out of the car before it loosens up and after a couple of holes of golf it hurts. My wife and friends are after me to get it done. It is realistic to think I can get it done the first part of November and be x-country skiing by January and back to full strength on my bike by summer? I don't want to be limited because of a fake knee but I'm really tired of hurting. Any experience what to expect would be great.

[Pelado]

My mom just had a knee replacement, but she's quite a bit older than you. After a month she was walking pretty well without assistance.

[PaloAltoCougar]

We need hostile back here.

I've known a few people who have picked up new knees and I have yet to hear a horror story or even a disappointing one. It's amazing how quickly they're back up and moving around. Although I'm uncertain if you'll be ready for the 2014 TdF, I'd be very surprised if you weren't back on the road by spring.

[Surfah]

My Rigby born and raised mother has had a total on one knee and a partial on the other. She had them done when she was 42. She hasn't been the same since. She nearly died from a pulmonary embolism after one. She can get around but is still in a lot of pain. But she has other ailments that are compounding her problems like severe arthritis that is causing all of her joints to break down. She has had one shoulder done and will have the other done next week. She's now also having issues with her hips and a foot. I feel really bad for her. She is just 56 but she's in the body of a seventy year old. It's especially difficult for her a someone who was once quite active. She was a great skier, played golf and tennis and even majored in P.E. Best of luck. I know from others the procedure has been a raging success. My mother seems to be the exception not the rule.

[Vic Vega]

I knew an active guy in his early 40s who was up and moving great at 2 weeks and struggled to keep his restrictions. He loved it and felt like it let him keep doing what he loved.

I know another guy in his 50s who had his knee freeze afterwards and basically struggled to get around for a couple years. Its been 5 years for the 2nd guy and he wishes he did not get it done. He had a serious embolism like surfers mom and I think he did not move around like he was supposed to because he did not feel well while he recovered.

[wuapinmon]

My grandma had one in her late 70's, and she hated it. But, she was also unwilling to do the therapy because of the pain.

[Realtall]

My Mother had both knees replaced, not at the same time. She was up and about after about 2 months for each though there was quite a bit of pain initially. She gets around fairly well now although her balance isn't what it once was.

My Dad had one knee replaced and never fully recovered from it. He ended up not being able to walk without a cane or a walker. The drs never could figure out exactly what the problem was. It's worth mentioning that he didn't have very good health the last 10 years of his life.

[SteelBlue]

Goose would be an excellent person to ask about this. He treats them in the final phase of their rehab, and he knows what someone with your current ability would be risking. I haven't personally seen anyone of your athletic ability who has undergone the surgery at your age. It seems most are looking to be able to live (and mostly walk) pain free. I'd be really curious what the prospects of continuing cycling at your current level would be.

[bluegoose]

I just saw this thread after steel blue mentioned it to me the other day.

Someone as fit as yourself would have a good chance of getting some excellent pain relief from a tkr, but no one can really say with confidence that you will be back to full strength on the bike in 6 months or so. It would be pretty phenomenal, if so.

I've had a few younger patients over the years with some lofty goals like yourself. Several have become very active, including cycling and hiking. Downhill skiing is discouraged, but xcountry might be ok. 3 months is probably optimistic, though.

Anecdotally, my mom had both of her knees replaced at the same time about 3 years ago. The first 2 months were pretty awful, but now she is very happy that she did it. No pain or stiffness, walks up to 5 miles nearly every day. Rides a bike, but not very fast.

You should Have a serious heart to heart with your orthopedic surgeon before you settle on a timeline for getting back to activity. What you are hoping for is not totally out of the question, but it is pretty ambitious. The procedure is mostly intended for pain relief- anything beyond that would be gravy.

[RC Vikings]

I got it done yesterday. Other than throwing up all night and a tube up my unit I'm doing great. The thought of this may have made me a little grumpy Sunday.

[Clark Addison]

I got it done yesterday. Other than throwing up all night and a tube up my unit I'm doing great. The thought of this may have made me a little grumpy Sunday.

Best of luck RC. Hope you are back biking and golfing quickly.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Good luck with the rehab; I'll look forward to progress reports, and then drafting you somewhere along the Wasatch Front next summer.

[Surfah]

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery RC.

[Katy Lied]

The people I know who have had them only get insurance to pay for 1, so they typically waited as long as possible, because the replacement only lasts X years. Also, the knee with the replacement gets a lot colder than the au natural one.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Ouch. Best wishes RCV.