I reffed college basketball for 17 years, as well as HS football and HS and college baseball. Eventually, my knees burnt out, and last November 8th I went in for a bilateral TKR---yep, I was stupid enough to get 'em both done at the same time.. I used to ride a great deal, but over the last year and a half, since I was in so much pain, the bike gathered a little bit of dust. i tried to ride, but I couldn't enjoy nearly as much. I umpired last year on cortizone...I really don't know how to tell you that my life---at least the activities that were important to me---were beginning to become fragmented. I sncerely hope that none of you have to go through the agony that "arty" brings to you.

Now, thanks to my two titanium knees, riding again is a great pleasure (when you are 53, it is the little things that make it som nice!) I went out today for a nice ride---nothing realy strong, as my quads and hams are still a little on the untested side. I averaged about 16 MPH on my Raleigh C-200, so I am happy---no I am ecstatic! I am getting my life back, and I am looking forward to spending much more time on my bike---not only commuting to and from school, but also around the MetroParks here in Cleveland and on the Towpath, as well.

I have been riding a bike that doesn't go anywhere---an excercise bike---at rehab... now, I can really go places...literarlly and figuratively. Sorry for the length of this post, but i wanted to share with ou how glad i am to have gotten back my cycling...you really do not now how much you may miss it until you cannot do it.

Tim C.

Good to hear about the cycling.

In my opinion getting both knees done together probably means you won't suffer too much with one leg being MUCH stronger than the other.

For one who is looking at a knee replacement, that is good to know that you can ride, after surgery. My bad knee stems from an injury. I can ride my bike and walk, but it if I stand still any length of time, it starts to swell.

Titanium -- it's not just for bike frames

That's wonderful to hear you're able to get back on the saddle. I have some chronic knee issues myself, but a little bit of cycling helps immensely.

That is great! Having had 2 knee surgeries in the last few years I know a little of what you've went through. It seemed like forever till the doc would let me get back on the bike, and I was slow when I got back on, but it didn't matter. It really makes you appreciate it. Glad to hear you're up and riding again!

I also just came out of knee reconstruction. Luckily, my joint is still okay. However, I tore my ACL, MCL, and meniscus playing ball. After a little over a year I am finally at the point that I can run 2-3 miles without pain. Biking is a fantastic part of knee rehab and one of the best things you can do! Try to hop in the pool occassionaly for a good low impact workout as well.

Congratulations on getting back on the bike. I've been using cycling as physio for decades from knee injuries from skateboarding. Even now some surgeons want to fillet my knee like a fish to do an allograph cartilage and bone corking type operation to fill the bone holes from when I dislocated my kneecap. As long as I can ride and walk I'm gonna pass. Titanium....sweet...

I had knee replacement surgery on my right knee about four years ago, and it's been a godsend. I went from barely being able to walk to commuting by bike, doing long rides in the summer, up to and including century rides, and just generally being able to get around again.

The only downside is the dog-and-pony show routine I have to go through every time I fly. I'm not impressed by the TSA.

Referee, How long was your rehab?

I had surgery on November 8th---i began in home PT before Thansgiving, and out-patient PT around Christmas time...I guess right now I am at 4 1/2 months---I still have a ways to go and have jined a local gym to continue to strengthen my legs. (My high school does not have weight machines---and, in my younger days, a squat rack would have been just fine---but not now.)

They say it takes a full year to forget that you have "replacement parts." I have two Stryker Triaathlon knee replacements and they sare desinged for active people. I did a great deal of weight training, balancing, and stretching excercises in PT---excer-bands and long elastic bands tied to my waist--I would walk over small hurdles and climb over wooden steps attached to a giant elastic tether. I would use the Bosu ball and crouch and throw a medicine ball at a toss-back 20 times straight on, 20 to the left, and 20 times to the right. I would use a leg press and leg extension/curl machine.

I would warm up and cool down by riding a recumbant excercise bike---thank goodness I can ride the real one now. Like I said, I still have a ways to go, but I have to climb that ladder every day---some days you take two steps up and a step back---some days a step up and two steps back.

Tim C.

I don't know about others but I am over a year and I still recognize that I have replacement parts. Things are starting to finally feel normal, but during a warmup I can still tell that the numbers are not matching