Who’s had a new knee and has it affected your riding?

[RsGaz]

One of my knees is shot, motorbikes , I’m 55 and have been told it needs replacing as it’s bone on bone now, just wondering who’s had it done and has it affected your riding at all, can you still pedal ok and has it slowed you down? Biggest issue I see with it for me, is that I’ve been told they won’t bend past 90 degrees.

 

[steve_sordy]

My mate had a new knee and apart from being the most painful thing he'd ever had done to him he was like a new man within a couple of months. While still in bed they strapped him to what looked like half a recumbent bike. It powered his leg through a pedalling motion; the stroke was adjustable and was increased with every session so that the knee was articulated through larger and larger angles. He said it was torture and very painful. When I visited him, it was easy to tell whereabouts he was on his painkiller cycle because he went silent as they ran out; 10-15 mins afterwards he was chatty. No amount of pleading (and he tried) would induce the nurses to either increase the dose or give him his meds early. So, you have that to look forward to!

When he got out of hospital, he asked me to accompany him while he rode his bike. He barely did two miles at first, but did it every day. He steadily increased the mileage and was soon as good as he wanted to be at about ten miles twice per day on tarmac country lanes. He wasn't a cyclist, just wanted to get his knee back to full use. It was before I was really into bikes myself so I never thought to ask whether he was altering his saddle height. He never said to me that his knee lacked full articulation, but it wasn't a topic for detail conversation.

It occurs to me that some models of knee joint, or alternative types of operation may offer different degrees of articulation. this should be a fruitful discussion point with your surgeon. Do you know what degree of articulation you need? I have never measured mine, but I know that my left knee has less than my right due to an accident. It doesn't affect my biking except when I fall off and end up compressing the joint. Then I know about it!

 

[RsGaz]

I know the pain he was in on the pedal machine, I had that after having the ligaments done 20yr ago. At the minute walking is my big problem, even strapped up, after a mile I’m in bits, but on the ebike I’m ok and have done two laps of Dalby red with no problem.
I’m just worried it might spoil my biking, as I like it round Dalby, the peaks and round Reeth.

It was surgeon who said that they haven’t been able to develop a knee yet that will bend past 90 degrees, which if you think about it, you often will have it past that angle even just sitting.

 

[Hicksy 92]

My wife has had one at the age of 50, now at 57 she’s just bought her 2nd ebike , a levo , it is a truly very big operation with a lot a discomfort at first , she can’t kneel on it even now After all these years after , but she can ride her bike with no issues, the key is get the thing moving as soon as possible, I can vouch for that too after having a serious motox accident, where I nearly lost my right leg , my knee is full of steel and screws right down to my ankle , and straight after my they had my knee moving on a machine , i‘m sure it’s these early responses are key .
good luck

 

[fletch]

Me. just turned 58 but went on the list when i was 56. Bone on bone like you also due to motorbikes. Best advice is get fit as possible before op and you will be good. You walk out of hospital the day after ( with crutches) and the rest is down to you. treat it as a full time job for a couple of weeks and you will be right, i was either icing or exercising all day and the pain meds are a must as its the most painful op that you can have according to the ward sister. I was cycling again after 3 weeks ( obviously not far) and after 3 months back on the trials bike and now im back on the enduro bike. My op was June 23rd this year as a reference point.

 

[fletch]

That 90 degrees is bollox, im at 115 now and im going to get more. The knee i had fitted was a Depuy attune if i recall correctly.

 

[RsGaz]

Me. just turned 58 but went on the list when i was 56. Bone on bone like you also due to motorbikes. Best advice is get fit as possible before op and you will be good. You walk out of hospital the day after ( with crutches) and the rest is down to you. treat it as a full time job for a couple of weeks and you will be right, i was either icing or exercising all day and the pain meds are a must as its the most painful op that you can have according to the ward sister. I was cycling again after 3 weeks ( obviously not far) and after 3 months back on the trials bike and now im back on the enduro bike. My op was June 23rd this year as a reference point.

Nice one that’s just what I wanted to hear, same too did both legs, knees and pelvis in five places, not all at same time, full of metalwork now .

 

[#lazy]

Nice one that’s just what I wanted to hear, same too did both legs, knees and pelvis in five places, not all at same time, full of metalwork now .

You got 3 legs ?
I’m on week 3 of physio on a broken knee , it started well but after this weeks deep massage and advanced exercises my quadriceps are in agony as is the sole of my foot (may not be related) . I’m off the crutches and using a cti3 brace for protection until the muscles get back to normal. Keeping active is good advice but hard if you’re lazy !

 

[Charliektm400exc]

90 degrees is a mixed answer. Physio says that they work on 90 being the minimum to get to. I have 125 and still gradually increasing two years after surgery. I had surgery with a robot, and after talking to others who had the old style it was much quicker, less pain, and back to full use much quicker.

the only issues I had with riding was that I cant start off with that leg and had to start out with my heel on the peddle and with time gradually move it further and further back as the bend increases.

 

[The Hodge]

My mate Jaco & CBM ..both in their mid 70's have both had replacement knee surgery ..and both going strong

 

[raymal]

Just get it done. Had my right knee replaced 18months ago, back on light bike work after 4weeks and wouldn't know the difference pre- op now, daily riding road, cross & ebike. Flexibility is on a par with my left leg so any talk about 90deg limitation is, as has already been said, b****x. The only issue I have is when any pressure is applied to the joint in say a squat, this causes slight discomfort - simple solution.... don't do squats!

 

[RsGaz]

90 degrees is a mixed answer. Physio says that they work on 90 being the minimum to get to. I have 125 and still gradually increasing two years after surgery. I had surgery with a robot, and after talking to others who had the old style it was much quicker, less pain, and back to full use much quicker.

the only issues I had with riding was that I cant start off with that leg and had to start out with my heel on the peddle and with time gradually move it further and further back as the bend increases.

Yes that was my worry that I wouldn’t have enough bend to pedal properly, good hearing from a couple of people that you’re getting past 90 degrees

 

[RsGaz]

Just get it done. Had my right knee replaced 18months ago, back on light bike work after 4weeks and wouldn't know the difference pre- op now, daily riding road, cross & ebike. Flexibility is on a par with my left leg so any talk about 90deg limitation is, as has already been said, b****x. The only issue I have is when any pressure is applied to the joint in say a squat, this causes slight discomfort - simple solution.... don't do squats!

Yes I’m there on Friday for some more X-rays, and to get fitted for a knee brace while I wait for my turn to come,

 

[Tim22]

If you ride in the winters like I do in the 20's F you may notice an ache from the metal getting really cold. Knee pads will help keep the cold out. I have flextion to 130*. 90 is bullshit

 

[philmedomsley]

I am fifty seven and had a full knee replacement on the 4th May 22. I have had knee problems for 25 years with the past 12 years being bone on bone. Before the operation I could ski, mountain bike, ride an enduro motorcycle and windsurf with pain but I walked poorly and my leg was the shape of a bow. The day after the operation I could walk with a stick and had 90 degrees of knee bend. I was able to drive after three weeks and ride an ebike for gentle exercise after four weeks. After about eight weeks I had 130 degrees of knee bend and was able to ride moderate routes. For the past five weeks I have felt felt confident undertaking 30+ mile fairly had rides. Whilst on holiday I managed to walk steep single track volcano without any knee pain.
A good recovery seems to be about sticking to the recommended physio, doing the boring exercises and not rushing back to activities too early
For me the operation has been a total success.

 

[RsGaz]

I am fifty seven and had a full knee replacement on the 4th May 22. I have had knee problems for 25 years with the past 12 years being bone on bone. Before the operation I could ski, mountain bike, ride an enduro motorcycle and windsurf with pain but I walked poorly and my leg was the shape of a bow. The day after the operation I could walk with a stick and had 90 degrees of knee bend. I was able to drive after three weeks and ride an ebike for gentle exercise after four weeks. After about eight weeks I had 130 degrees of knee bend and was able to ride moderate routes. For the past five weeks I have felt felt confident undertaking 30+ mile fairly had rides. Whilst on holiday I managed to walk steep single track volcano without any knee pain.
A good recovery seems to be about sticking to the recommended physio, doing the boring exercises and not rushing back to activities too early
For me the operation has been a total success.

Well chuffed for you Phil, if I get a result like that I’ll be very happy

 

[fletch]

I am fifty seven and had a full knee replacement on the 4th May 22. I have had knee problems for 25 years with the past 12 years being bone on bone. Before the operation I could ski, mountain bike, ride an enduro motorcycle and windsurf with pain but I walked poorly and my leg was the shape of a bow. The day after the operation I could walk with a stick and had 90 degrees of knee bend. I was able to drive after three weeks and ride an ebike for gentle exercise after four weeks. After about eight weeks I had 130 degrees of knee bend and was able to ride moderate routes. For the past five weeks I have felt felt confident undertaking 30+ mile fairly had rides. Whilst on holiday I managed to walk steep single track volcano without any knee pain.
A good recovery seems to be about sticking to the recommended physio, doing the boring exercises and not rushing back to activities too early
For me the operation has been a total success.

Exactly. The first 3 weeks for me was like a full time job with everything i did being focused on the knee. the surgeon does his part and then we do ours.

 

[Ebike mad]

One of my knees is shot, motorbikes , I’m 55 and have been told it needs replacing as it’s bone on bone now, just wondering who’s had it done and has it affected your riding at all, can you still pedal ok and has it slowed you down? Biggest issue I see with it for me, is that I’ve been told they won’t bend past 90 degrees.

I am 65 and ride 32 km every second day I have a complete new left knee and have never had a problem with it, my suggestion is do the rehab they tell you to and it will be fine I can bend my knee over 110 deg I wasn’t allowed to leave hospital until I could bend it to 90 deg this took 5days after operation continue rehab at home, after a few months you won’t even think about your knee, I know a few people that just went home after the operation and sat on the lounge to wait for it to get better this is what you don’t want to do all it does is get stiff and eventually you won’t be able to bend it, start bending as soon as possible to get full range of movement

 

[RsGaz]

To those of you that have had a knee replacement, how are you with kneeling on it, is it a no no, too painful, or ok no problem.

 

[Ebike mad]

No problem kneeling just wear knee pads never had pain

 

[Ogofmole]

Following as I'm due to have both knees done at the same time as partial replacements next year.

 

[fletch]

Following as I'm due to have both knees done at the same time as partial replacements next year.

I was down for a a new acl and a partial but when the surgeon was in there he decided a full replacement was best so dont be surprised if you dont get what you thought im more than happy with what he did to me and you have to trust their judgment.

 

[Ogofmole]

I was down for a a new acl and a partial but when the surgeon was in there he decided a full replacement was best so dont be surprised if you dont get what you thought im more than happy with what he did to me and you have to trust their judgment.

Yes my consultant did say that.

 

[Charliektm400exc]

To those of you that have had a knee replacement, how are you with kneeling on it, is it a no no, too painful, or ok no problem.

No problem kneeling down. Don’t need knee pads. Problem is getting up as the bend is not as good as it used to be. Have to work out what works for you to get up. It’s always possible, just not very elegant.
charlie

 

[billwarwick]

The only issue I have is when any pressure is applied to the joint in say a squat, this causes slight discomfort - simple solution.... don't do squats!

That reminded me of the great Tommy Cooper gag....
'Doctor, it hurts when I do that'
'Well, don't do it!'

 

[Charliektm400exc]

That reminded me of the great Tommy Cooper gag....
'Doctor, it hurts when I do that'
'Well, don't do it!'

Just like that, just like that

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I come from rugby, retired quite late at 48.
one of my coaches was an international 7's player for SA, he was massive and fast, this took its toll on his knees.
he had a complete replacement, I would say his recovery time was in the region of 18 months but....
around the 18 month mark he bought a road bike and now, a couple of years later he is blitzing everyone in the area and he says it really really helped and speeded up his recovery.

 

[DMC707]

To those of you that have had a knee replacement, how are you with kneeling on it, is it a no no, too painful, or ok no problem.

Painful for me --- had a full replacement 2 year ago, at age 48 - mo kneeling at all if i can help it, but i keep little foam pads around whenever possible.

Have a gas fireplace and pilot light is always blowing out, so thats the repeated issue for me is getting on the kneew to light the darn thing. Excruciating without the pad

However -- game changer -- everything else is much much better. I'm still using flats on the bike though as a precautionary measure

 

[RsGaz]

Well folks as a bit of an update to this post, I had a full knee replacement three weeks ago, first week was excruciating and left me wondering if I’d done the right thing, but I’ve just been out this morning for a four mile ride and can report that all’s well, no problems pedalling, just a bit sore now so sat with ice on it, so looks like it’s going to be onwards and upwards

 

[Swissrider]

I had a knee replacement four years ago (age 64). First the good news. I’m a mountain guide and ski most days in the winter. I cannot honestly feel any difference between my two knees, same going uphill. Cycling is fine. Bit stiff at first but soon eases off (I think I have about 120 degrees flex). A dropper seat post is a godsend, as it’s hard to pedal when the seat is dropped right down, so I have to pop it up to pedal. But, you soon get used to this and it’s really no problem and I’m fine on technical terrain, bike parks etc. I have windsurfed (full planing in the straps) kitesurfed and rock climbed without any bother from my knee. Walking uphill or downhill is fine as well. Before my op skiing was painful, couldn’t walk downhill or walk any distance on the flat. Ironically, the only thing I could do was cycling. I was not in pain at night or when not doing anything. Chronic pain is a reason to get a replacement but it was not my case, but I couldn’t have carried on guiding on my old knee.

The bad news is that it is bloody painful, or at least it was in my case, and this is not unusual. It is quite common for people to be taking pain killers up to a year after op. I stopped after about three months. My surgeon emphasised that it was very important to deal with the pain properly, otherwise the brain gets used to it and it can become a long term problem. You will lose flexibility and anything which causes you to bend beyond what it can do will hurt. My surgeon said it was the design of the prothesis which prevented any further bend and no amount of physio or exercise would change it. I asked what would happen if I fell over backwards skiing and he said “don’t! I sometimes notice it when getting on or off a chairlift if the seat is really low to the snow. As others have said, it’s important to do your physio properly and be as fit as possible before the operatio.

Its really important to do your research. The most important element is the surgeon. You want one who does at least a hundred knee replacements per year, that you trust and understands your needs. Mine specialised in sports, worked with the Swiss Ski team and was a keen skier. He understood my main reason for needing a new knee was to ski and he chose my prothesis as being the one which most closely mimics a human knee. There are prostheses which will give greater flexibility but at the expense of stability. In Asia, where people have to kneel more than in the west, they use protheses which allow more flexibility. So, it’s really important to be able to discuss these issues with your surgeon. Even in the age of computer modelling, pre cut dies for the operation etc, knee surgery requires a huge amount of skill and judgment. I had all the computer stuff but my surgeon still made a few tweaks on the operating table. Because of the obesity crisis, there are thousands of knee replacements being done, so British surgeons have a great deal of experience. However, it’s important to be realistic. A knee replacement does not have as high a success rate as say hip replacements. I think it’s about 90%. In other words, about 90% of patients say they are happy after a few years with their replacement.

In summary, I would say go for it, but do so with an open and informed mind. It has transformed my life, it will hopefully transform yours.