knee replacement surgery and getting back on the bike.
 

I know that this has probably come up before but I could not find any related subjects so I thought I'd ask...

Had knee replacment surgery the middle of August and am so anxious to get back on my bike. (I'm 61 yo) As of yesterday, I have a range of motion (on my own) of 120. I asked the nurse (don't go back to the doc until the first week of Oct) if it was ok to to get back on my bike. (already doing the recumbent in the gym and at pt) She indicated that one of their concerns is mainly getting on and off. (and I'm sure falling is another) Now, I've only been riding for a little over a year and I'm no speed demon. Before the surgery I was mainly pleasure riding on the weekends (20-30 miles) and typically on paved trails. I started riding as a way to continue on my path to lose weight. (I've taken off a little over 100 pounds in 2 and a half years) but found that I am really enjoying it. So much so that about a month before my surgery I also bought a mountain bike to add to my collection. Haven't had much of a chance to ride it yet but plan to in the future.

Back to my original quetion...for those of you that have had this surgery (complete knee replacement)...how long was it before you got back on your bike? Maybe I am just getting too anxious.

LindaN

Can't give you an answer as I haven't had it- but Long term you are not finished yet.

Couple of years ago and riding on the MUP and a rider caught up with me. I knew him as A rider on the Local metrics about 5 years before but he did have a Knee problem that eventually stopped him riding. 18 months previously he had one of the knees replaced and as soon as he recovered- he had the other one done. He had started riding again- only on the Mups and flat rides but wanted to know if the Gridiron ride was still being done. He finally felt that he could tackle a longer hillier ride and thought this would be a good one to start with. If he was thinking about this one- he must have recovered fully.

I ride my bike for heart and knee therapy. My left knee is especially bad, with the cartilage all gone and bone grinding against bone. Knee replacement surgery is in my near term future. Meanwhile, my orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist have told me to either swim or ride a bike faithfully. The secret is flexing the knees, while the bike seat is carrying most all of my body weight. And it works! The swelling and pain are greatly reduced when riding my bike daily. Seems odd, doesn't it?

Try using lower gears and keeping the revs. up. (This is good advice for everyone, whether with bionic or original issue knees). If you have lost some flexibility, try raising the saddle a bit.

Two exercises save my knees: 1) Stretch the quads by pulling your heel up to your buttocks. 2) Strengthen your vastus medialus by doing only the last 15 degees of knee extensions. Iyengar and other forms of yoga also have a "mountain pose" in which you raise and lower your kneecaps while standing -- this is another good vastus medialus conditioner.

My left knee has passed its expiration date, and my right one is close behind. I can't even squat down anymore. But the bike riding sure is good therapy. My legs and knees always feel better and stronger after riding. It's amazing.

Thanks for all the advice. I had PT again last Friday and my range of motion is still at 120 on my own. :thumb: So, that afternoon hubby and I went over to one of the industrial parks near where we live (no traffic) and I rode for about 15 minutes. Getting on and off was not an issue but the first few minutes of pedaling was painful.

On Saturday I talked hubby into loading up the road bikes and heading over to the Withlachochee Bay Trail. I thought that the 10 miles up and back would be easy. He thought otherwise and parked about half way down the trail. Ends up he was right. Again the worst part was the very beginning and I did use lower gears as someone suggested. Only did 5 miles and was pooped when we got back. I think some of that was due to the fact that I have not really been outside in the heat for almost 6 weeks and it was in the low 90s.

So, this is my last week of PT and I don't go back to the doc until the 4th of Oct. Planning on hitting the gym on the off days of PT and maybe getting some small rides in late in the afternoon.

Thanks for the advice. I guess when I go back to the doc on the 4th I'll tell him I've done some riding.

LindaN

That is encouraging. I am due for a knee replacement myself. Riding and takin SAMe and Glucosamine are keeping the surgery at bay so far.

Chas- I put it off as long as I could. Went from 800mg Ibuprofen 3 times a day to Celebrex. I only started riding last summer and was up to 30-35 miles at a time. Problem is, I could ride, I just had problems walking any distance. Went to Ortho surgeon in Dec of 2009 and he told me that he never usually recommended surgery the first time he saw a patient but in my case he did. I told him I'd do it after tax season (manage a tax/accounting office) Well, in late June I fell. Not off the bike but walking up some stairs. So, I decided it was time. Both knees are bad and I chose to do the left one first as he told me I could not drive for 6 weeks with the right one. Well, when he got into putting the new knee in there was not enough bone to hook the new knee to and there were "ulcers" that had to be removed. So, he had to do alot more bone grafting than normal and I could not put full weight on it for over 2 weeks. Guess I am fortunate that I'm recovering as quickly as I am but I truly think it's because I planned for the surgery. Worked out at the gym and worked extra on the muscles I knew I would be needing. Right now, after only 5 weeks, my new knee actually feels better than the one that needs to be fixed. Good luck with yours. I think I won't be able to get my other one done until next year (after tax season)

LindaN

My wife had a Total January 2007 and started riding again in June, but it took her a lot of time to build up her courage. She actually got on the stationary bike much earlier. She had minimally invasive surgery which she highly recommends. There is a difference in surgeons. Check out several.

She rides as much and as often as she likes.

She was 70 at the time.

One physical therapist told her she should not ride any more, as she would wear out the knee. The ortho surgeon said "no restrictions on activities" Other physical therapists were ambivalent. That was part of her not getting back on the bike as soon as she wanted.