Your injury, riding endurance, etc., sound a lot like my situation was — able to ride long miles IN the saddle, but the pain was to just too intense to ride OUT of the saddle. After my knee replacement, I was on the stationary bike in two days…several time per day…increasing, very slow and methodical. A few weeks later I was riding on the road. Complete recovery was about three months. Now pain free…I ride out of the saddle with no pain…claiming hills, etc…and THAT has really re-strengthened my knee. I don’t know about different procedures, but there are differences in the hardware composition. I have a friend who got a knee about the same time I got my knee (Oct 2023). My knee implant uses a “cementless-fixation”…no adhesive required. My friend’s implant required a cement. She’s not even that active, and she told me last week that the adhesive has come loose and she’s got to have the artificial knee completely replaced. I suggest you do some research and find a device that suits your lifestyle. Check with your surgeon to see if there is one that he/she prefers to work with (or if they are willing to use the one you prefer, or if they will refer you to a surgeon that will). Ask your surgeon lots of questions…including the ones you’ve asked here. Things like: how many times they’ve done the procedure; number of complications they’ve had (including post-op); how is the procedure performed; how is the device attached; who all will be in the OR; or anything else that concerns you. When I had my hip replaced (2019), it was done by an active duty Navy doctor (I’m retired Navy). There was a delay of a few months, so he gave me his personal cell number and said to text him any questions I had before the surgery. I corresponded with him almost weekly. When he came to check on me in post-op, I apologized for bothering him so much. To that, he said “Don’t apologize. It’s refreshing to have a patient so concerned and involved in their healthcare. You’d be surprised by how many patients come into my examination room, ask me to replace a joint, and never ask another question.” Good luck. — Dan

I had a right knee replacement in early 2012. It appears it's worn out. The doctor doesn't know how much will have to be replaced, from only the plastic between the metal parts to a complete replacement. I have lowered my saddle and use lower gears so I can keep riding through the summer - I had already scheduled (and paid for) the Erie Canal ride - 400 miles in 8 days (but mostly flat). I made a rough estimate that in the 13 years since the replacement, my right leg has gone up and down on the pedals about 10 million times - my goal is to average 10 miles a day and I beat it almost every year. I think the 30 year life of a replacement knee may not apply to active cyclists.

To answer the question about how long you're off the bike: the first thing they do in physical therapy is put you on a stationary bike - only a few days after the replacement. Very painful to start, but I thought I was ready to go for a ride after a couple of weeks. But - the doctor said no. I believe his concern was that the effects of a fall would be very bad. I started regular riding after a couple of months.

FWIW - I had a Zimmer Biomet "Persona" knee installed back in February...whatever exactly the procedure was and the tools they use are apparently manufacturer specific. The surgical notes listed all the tools they used as well as part numbers and serial numbers of the new parts.

I think someone said before and I believe it's the most important advice: It's all about - #1 - the surgeon and #2 - Your commitment to doing ALL of the physical therapy, every day. My surgery was going to be a little complicated (long story) and I wanted to feel comfortable with the person doing it. I asked a bunch of questions and was happy with all of the answers and the confidence that he had that it would go well. 4 months later and I'm beyond thrilled with the result. I'm able to ride 15+ miles without a hint of discomfort and getting stronger and going further every day. I can even get out of the saddle and put down some power...haven't been able to do that in a long time. And I'm walking distances that I haven't walked comfortably in 20 years. When my muscles catch up to my new knee I'm sure I'll be back to 50 mile days with no problems. Wishing you all the best!

Well I had the knee replacement done last Wednesday. I had the surgery in the middle of the afternoon and by that night I felt ok. I was able to walk down a long hallway with a walker, probably around 1000 ft or so and then had some oxycodone and morphine but felt decent. They released me the next day and I got home and felt ok. Then like someone turned a switch, it went to pure hell. The nerve block quit and I ended up with a reaction to the medication and couldn't keep anything in me. The pain was the worst I ever encountered and I thought I would end up back in the hospital. By Monday I was doing better. Only taking Tylenol and Motrin now and starting to come around now and starting to feel like I will live through this. I'm not sure what my future bike riding will be but I think right now it will be some time before I am able to try it. I have a stationary bike that I will start to use in about a month according to the nurse and therapist that have been coming to the house. It's kinda depressing thinking like this but I'm sure I'm not the only one who has gone through this. Not here to complain because I know some people have it much worse than me but it's pretty hard when it's happening to me right now. Hopefully in a couple days I will be better than today and better a few days after that. Been reading a lot so that is helping. Hope all of you are doing well. Talk soon, boomer.
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Keep the ice/cold therapy machine on it as much as you can. I felt like that gave me the best relief from the pain — even more than the meds (I didn’t even touch the Oxys).

Post-op, in the moment, like you…and everyone else…I felt like it was never going to end. But after I was fully recovered, three months or so, when I looked back it all it seems like nothing. I got on the stationary bike within a couple days of surgery. Nothing crazy…just very VERY slow spinning at first to help get my range of motion back.
You’ll get through it, and be back on the bike in no time. Good luck and hope you’re feeling better.

Dan

If you’ve read above you will see I have contributed to this thread. Had both of mine done 3 months apart and, like you, when the nerve block wore off things got a little dicey. The ice machine was my best friend throughout the recovery. I wanted to name it in my will. Really the recovery will be challenging but if you get a good PT and stick with it you will be riding again in a few months. The range of motion is what takes time and can be pretty painful getting it back. It will be two years this February since my first replacement and I am completely satisfied with the results. I didn’t really struggle riding before but everything else was tough and painful. Stairs were awful but now a breeze. I hope you power through the recovery and enjoy the benefits of your new knee. Good luck

Outstanding advise, dear friend had a fall right after his second knee replacement, 3 months in a wheelchair with the leg bolted right threw the bone to a bar above and below the knee so the leg could not be bent, now after 7 months he is still using a walker hoping to get to a cane this year.

Thank you all for the encouragement. This weekend has sure been a lot better than last weekend. I will get the stitches out on Tuesday and start the regular therapy on Friday. I am doing the exercises at home that the therapist has shown me, also icing a lot. I will probably go from the walker to a cane this week but still feel a little unstable so we will see how that goes. Sleeping weird hours but it is what it is. Have a good week everyone, boomer.

Actually sleep was a major challenge for me as well. I am a side sleeper and couldn’t get close to comfortable for close to 4 months with two replacements. Ended up sleeping on a recliner for months till I could get on my side. I think it’s a normal part of the recovery for most. Good luck

I had a partial knee replacement 13+ yrs ago.
There was nothing but crickets when I asked for advice on bike forums at that time.
My suggestion for those putting forth their stories is to state your age.
This is a factor for those reading your stories.
I'm turning 74 at years end.
Cycling is what I love and is the least stressful on the knee, so I've set aside some other activities in favor of what makes me smile more

74 yo

I'm 10 months out and happily everything went really well. Like you it took me a while to sleep well again. I slept on the couch for the first 2 weeks since rolling over would be when it really hurt and I couldn't do that when I was on the couch. Maybe that will help your sleep...plenty of ice and Extra strength Tylenol help a lot too. I only took the Oxy that they prescribed once and didn't like the way it made me feel so I never took it again.

You'll know when you're ready to just use the cane. All of a sudden you'll be able to move without it. I would practice with the cane while walking next to the dresser in our bedroom so I could prop myself up with the other hand if I started to teeter. It's amazing how your strength comes back. You're doing good by doing the exercises already...be religious about it. Don't let a single day go by without doing them even if you're feeling lousy. It will be better tomorrow...and then even better the tomorrow after that. Soon you'll be amazed by how far you can flex and how straight you can get it.

FWIW - I'm 58 and within 6 months I was up to riding 50+ miles at a time. I have more miles in both of my legs now than I did before the surgery. Keep working hard and you'll do great!

Well it has been 5 weeks since the knee replacement. I'm getting around alright as long as I use the cane outside. I don't feel as stable as I think I should but I guess that is to be expected. The pain is slowly going away but still there. I'm at 4 miles on my stationary bike and I don't feel I should be doing more than that. I was recommended a device called the Ideal Stretch from Amazon. That has worked great for getting my leg straight and I can't say enough good about it. My PT guy really liked it and said he will tell other patients about it. I guess I didn't realize how bad I was going to feel after this surgery but I'm working at it and hoping to be back on my bike before long. Thank all of you for the advice and encouragement, boomer.

My first bike ride since the knee replacement. I went 4.5 miles yesterday just around town. I was on my Specialized Crossroads which is an upright bike like a city bike. It felt pretty good to get out for a short ride. I'm still getting quite a bit of pain from time to time but it is what it is. Happy New Years to everyone, boomer.

I still have both original knees.
I havebeen threatening the right knee when it acts up.

Here is my contribution
1996 I had a torn ACL, left knee repaired.
Much PT as one would expect.

What I observed in PT was that the knee replacement patients seemed to have an easier, less painful time during PT than I did with my ACL.
Makes no sense to me, but there it is.

OP, I wouldl say have the surgery.

Coming up on 2 years since my first TKR and couldn’t be happier with the results. One thing that seems consistent is many of us say the same thing, we regret we waited so long. Obviously YMMV but I am firmly in the camp that says if you need it get it done.

I am up to 10 - 12 miles on the Crossroads bike on the street and trail. If I go over that, I really feel it. I will try to eliminate the cane next week, stairs are a bit of a problem so I go down them but use the elevator to go up. Thank you for the comments, boomer.

Interestingly, my wife and I recently flew domestically. She has a titanium left knee, and told the TSA agents; but they sent her through the scanner anyway -- and then wanded her because they thought something showed up elsewhere.

It's been 2 1/2 years since my TKR of the left knee. In retrospect I should have done it 5 years earlier. But the surgeon went with expensive jel injunctions instead.
Say of the surgery, left the house at 9AM, it was a 1/2 hour drive each way and was home at 3:30PM.
Walked out of the surgery center with crutches. Next day a 1/4 mile walk. Then 1/2 mile the following day.
That was all before removing a couple of pounds of bandage.

74 now. TKR on right 4 weeks ago. Slow recovery compared to partial knee replacement 4 years ago. With the partial I was on a real bike in 4 weeks and have over 130° ROM. But I did put combo pedals on the bike (flat on one side and PDL on other) because I did not want to clip in and out. That worked well.

I agree with everything that has been said about managing pain, using ice, and sleep
challenges. I surprised at how much more difficult the TKR recovery is but I committed to getting 130° ROM on this knee, too.

cheers and good luck,

Mike

It has been since mid November since my TKR. I have been doing quite a few 30 mile rides and did a 51 mile ride on Saturday. I'm still having pain in the knee area and there is a nerve problem as I am having a lot of foot pain especially laying in bed. I went to the doctor the other day and he doubled my dose of medication that I take for Rheumatoid Arthritis. He not only gave me the go-ahead to do the Tour de Cure ride (63 miles) in 3 weeks but he encouraged me to do it. My wife shared my Tour de Cure story on her Instagram and Facebook accounts and I have raised over a thousand dollars in 5 days from friends and family. It has been a pretty rough road for me with this TKR and I am not sure if I am any better than before but I guess time will tell. Thank all of you for your replies and thoughts on this thread, boomer

Good LUCK during the TdeC and hope you have a great time.

75 years old. After my second Cortisone shots in my knees for osteoarthritis in 2024 I started focusing on producing synovial fluid in my knees with lower gearing to get more spinning on my rides and taking Microlactin. I have been doing much much better with my knees and my hands, wrists and back. Knee issues have sharply dropped and it is a rare rather than common issue for me cycling.

So here I go - I did the Tour de Cure ride last Sunday in Orlando. The wind was awful and that was the general consensus. I raised over $2100.00 dollars and it was a great event, very well organized. I did 67 (my age) miles in 4 hours and 37 minutes.That did not include several rest stops. The new knee held up pretty good, the other one started giving me problems but that one has had issues also. I am not out of the woods yet as walking still gives me pain but I am getting better. I sure appreciate all of your encouragement and advice that you guys and gals have given me. Happy riding, boomer