partial knee replacement

[shobo]

anyone out there had one, or planning one ?

[DNC123]

I've had one. 30 months ago.
Had been off the bike for 10 years waiting for our "wonderful" NHS to get their act together.
Now I'm back riding I've list 3 stones in weight and over 4 inches off my waist. Can ride 80 miles non stop!

When you go for the pre op they will hammer you about post op exercises. These are prettydamned important. They won't hurt but they will be hard. Some of them are really hard. You must crack them as soon as you get home. You can't go anywhere so work on the exercises. I mean really work on them. If you don't get your knee moving quickly scar tissue will build up and you will always struggle.

Before you go in practice going up and down stairs in the manner they tell you.

I was walking with just one stick after 2 days, and could get round the house unaided after 4 days. Go for walks up and down your street. Try not to use a stick, but carry one ICON.

Perseverance and sheer bloodymindedness is what you need. In 2 weeks you should not need a stick at all. That's a target for you!!!

Good luck.

[shobo]

Thankyou DNC.
How soon after the op could you cycle ?

[DNC123]

As I say, I'd been off the bike for 10 years so had no gear.
I knew a guy across the road who was selling a Pearson Fixie. I bought it off him thinking that fixed would make my knee work all the time. No idea if this was sound or not!!!
Can't remember exact timescale but it was inside 2 months, probably 6 weeks when i was doing 3-4 miles as a starter.

Boasting a bit here...after the op I had to go back to physio classes after 4 weeks. Some folk there were still using sticks 4 months after their ops. I handed my sticks back. Physio "threw me out" in the nicest way, because I was further advanced then he was trying to get patients. All comes down to the first couple of days at home. Crack the exercises and you'll soon be flying.

Now I have a couple of carbon fibre bikes and am out 4 or 5 times a week doing 40/50/60 miles each time. It can be done...if you work at it.

[Cyril Haearn]

Do you have fixed on all machines?

[shobo]

Thankyou DNC, you've given me a (very high) target !

[shobo]

Cycling long miles might be intense on the artificial contact surfaces. Is it reckoned that cycling could wear out the surfaces more rapidly than just 'normal' walking, or am I barking up the wrong tree ?

[DNC123]

Do you have fixed on all machines?

Nope. The fixie went once I got the bug back. Sold it for what I paid for it so I thought it was a good investment.

Now on 11 speed 50/34.

[Cyril Haearn]

Do you have fixed on all machines?

Nope. The fixie went once I got the bug back. Sold it for what I paid for it so I thought it was a good investment.

Now on 11 speed 50/34.

I just upgraded to fixie, do not have joint problems, braking with fixed seems to use other muscles than pedalling
Do your doctors advise you to be careful, or could a new joint be better and stronger than new? Whatabout the other knee?

[DNC123]

Well, I've hammered myself doing all sorts of stuff over the years, but my couch potato neighbour has the same problems!
Doctor tells me to keep riding the bike, but I'm not sure if he knows quite what I'm doing!
My other knee creaks and groans, but is acceptable. I'm no longer young(1949) so accept that I will have aches and pains etc. But I'm not on pills for anything (not even Viagra!!!) I suspect a lot of it is mind over matter. I'm a stubborn bugger and wont let anything beat me.

As I was once asked...would you like to do it, or do you want to do it. Makes a world of difference.

I suspect the new knee might have a shelf life, but if I get 15 years out of it that will suit me. No one in my family has lived that long

[Mike Sales]

Well, I've hammered myself doing all sorts of stuff over the years, but my couch potato neighbour has the same problems!
Doctor tells me to keep riding the bike, but I'm not sure if he knows quite what I'm doing!
My other knee creaks and groans, but is acceptable. I'm no longer young(1949) so accept that I will have aches and pains etc. But I'm not on pills for anything (not even Viagra!!!) I suspect a lot of it is mind over matter. I'm a stubborn bugger and wont let anything beat me.

As I was once asked...would you like to do it, or do you want to do it. Makes a world of difference.

I suspect the new knee might have a shelf life, but if I get 15 years out of it that will suit me. No one in my family has lived that long

I like and share your attitude. It has gained me much pleasure on the bike over the years.
I think that what keeps me getting back on is that I know it will be ultimately rewarding, plus a bit of pig-headedness.
I am a 1950 vintage, and accept that I am getting slower.

[DNC123]

Well, I've hammered myself doing all sorts of stuff over the years, but my couch potato neighbour has the same problems!
Doctor tells me to keep riding the bike, but I'm not sure if he knows quite what I'm doing!
My other knee creaks and groans, but is acceptable. I'm no longer young(1949) so accept that I will have aches and pains etc. But I'm not on pills for anything (not even Viagra!!!) I suspect a lot of it is mind over matter. I'm a stubborn bugger and wont let anything beat me.

As I was once asked...would you like to do it, or do you want to do it. Makes a world of difference.

I suspect the new knee might have a shelf life, but if I get 15 years out of it that will suit me. No one in my family has lived that long

I like and share your attitude. It has gained me much pleasure on the bike over the years.
I think that what keeps me getting back on is that I know it will be ultimately rewarding, plus a bit of pig-headedness.
I am a 1950 vintage, and accept that I am getting slower.

Thanks for your kind words. I've just been proving to SWMBO that I don't need the blue pills. Might not be out tomorrow, but no matter, I do what I can.

I do a few Sportives, and am usually one if the first back (yes I know they are not races) but I'm from a competitive background- 4th in Nat 25 mile TT Champs one year - so I can't let go.

Yes, I'm getting slower, but I'm not going to give in to the grim reaper if I can avoid it. Life is what you make it.

[softlips]

My dad had one aged 70+. The day he was discharged he saw an exercise bike in a neighbours skip and made me get it for him. He was on it next day!

The partial replacement didn’t really work - the surgeon agreed to eat humble pie as I told him I felt a total replacement would be a better option. He had this second op within a year and again got on the exercise bike and made an excellent recovery.

[bogmyrtle]

I had one in April this year. So far I would call it a success. I think recovery time depends on the individual. If you are lucky and the only problem is the joint and your leg has stayed reasonably straight, then recovery is likely to be quick.
In my case my leg was bowed to the front and side. Recovery has involved muscles having to readapt to a straighter leg. For some time after the operation the biggest problem was hip pain. I'm not sure how much of that was due to the contortions during the operation and how much was due to the realignment of the leg.
I struggled with some of the post op exercises due to having arthritis in the other knee and in my back. I recently decided to do more of the step exercises for a bit more of an aerobic work out. Unfortunately my cyclists varicose vein on the operated leg took exception to this and exploded. My leg isn't a pretty sight and I think have some permanent numbness from the op.

I put my bike on the turbo trainer but struggled to get enough bend in my knee and hip at the top of the pedal stroke to get a full revolution of the pedals so I raised the seat (need steps to get on it) (then struggle to get off it). This worked for the new knee but caused problems with the other one so I left it for a good few weeks. I'm now back on the turbo trainer but taking it very easy.

You have to remember that replacement joints don't last forever and the life of a partial joint is likely to be shorter than a full one. While you need to keep the joint working you don't want to be hammering it.

Base your recovery on what your body is telling you and not on an expectation that you will be able to function as though nothing has happened within a set number of weeks.
All the best

[De Sisti]

I had one in July this year. I'm back in work and riding again. Not doing circuit training yet, as I don't
think the knee is up to any running, jumping, bounding, etc etc. Not yet walking the one mile to work,
but riding instead. Using gym equipment to strengthen quad and hamstring muscles.