Anyone out there have a replacement knee? How long did it take for you to get back onto mild to moderate trails?

I got a new acl last summer (my aunt got her whole knee replaced the same week) and was hiking short but technically difficult trail in less than six months, and hiking/running on easy peasy trails in three months, as was my Aunt, who reported no pain at all after 6 weeks, but she is a tough lady. my knee still gets cranky and glitchy if I do more than 4 hours of anything at all, including sitting for hours or driving long distances.

SnakeDoctor

I had my knee replacement in June & was planting trails for our Oct. event that year! And they would be considered mild/moderate trails.Have had no problems either!! Good Luck! Brenda of R-Gang

Injured both knees independently. Left was more urgent, so had it replaced first. That was in 2014. Was probably about a year before I was able to really comfortably (without pain; also balance issues) hike on moderate trails. Constant rehab, i.e. weight/resistance training at the gym, walking and exercise bike (this was especially helpful) required, then and still now. Initially had steroid injections as often as allowed in the other knee, but after a couple of years I don't need them any more as long as I keep up with the exercise bike. The key is to keep moving - so you can keep moving.

Had a knee replacement exactly 3 years ago.I did tons of PT and biking at the gym for about 3 months before doing some easy/moderate shorter hikes. Started mountain biking again after 4/5 months. It seriously took about a year to fully heal and be able to hike/bike for miles again. Boxer lover is right, keep moving and moving and moving. If I miss 2 days of biking, my knees just plain hurt and mobility gets worse. I love my new knee!

A little discouraged about the length of recovery time. I’m not sure I was given full disclosure before making the leap. That said I had had to give up running and hiking became too difficult to do with others so I did it. Not quit back on my own trike yet but using the ones at pt and the gym.

BL I injured mine the weekend I last saw you in Idaho. I think you were at that event. The start to blur together. Anyway it was December 15

They defitnately under estimated my recovery time...told me I would be back to work in 3 months (I teach martial arts, so lots of jumping, quick feet, pivots, ect ) it's been more than a year and I don't teach as often as I use to, and will probably never enter a competition. But I can walk and run, which wasn't going to happen with out the surgery.

Quarry, how do you do with the pivots now.

I can do them, carefully....but not as fast or causally as I would like. It maybe more of a brain thing than a knee thing, but there is defitnately a hitch somewhere. Spinning is slightly better than cutting/pivot motions, maybe because I've worked on that more, maybe because momentum helps.

I’m up against some head things also. Trying to get back on my recumbent. I can do the one at pt and the gym but sneak up on a seat position little by little. With mine I don’t get to sneak up on it and I know it’s going to hurt to just force that first few revolutions. I can imagine pivots slowing you down and would fldefinitely hinder your sparring g against a partner as opposed to forms at your own pace

I think I got poor info on length of recovery time, too. I didn't rely on what the surgeon said b/c I thought his estimate would be prejudiced. I asked lots of people who had had it done in the past. In hindsight, I believe their memories might have been dulled by time! LOL! It's been 4 years now for me and I don't seem to remember it being so bad now, but at the time, that first year in particular, I know was h-e-double hockey sticks. I remember thinking I was in way worse shape afterwards than before which was pretty discouraging. But I'm still glad I had it done. I can kneel only if the surface is soft enough and I can't squat at all now. BUT - I CAN stand at my quilting machine and I CAN do stairs to get to that quilting machine, so it's all good. Will I get the other knee done? That's TBD, but I truly hope it won't be necessary if I can continue to keep it moving. As long as I can keep the adjustments to my lifestyle to a minimum, maybe I won't have to. I just hate giving up the activities I love!

I understand about the head games. No one likes pain and it's especially hard when you are the one causing pain to yourself. I CLEARLY remember the first time I turned the wheel all the way around on the exercise bike at my house. My PT did it to me without warning and I WAS NOT READY! I screamed and I thought my dog was going to attack him! But, you know what, once it was done, I could do it on my own later. Tough to get up the courage though.

You didn't say how long it's been since your surgery?

One month tomorrow. It was due July 17. As of today I can’t conceive of someone volunteering to do it a second time. But having given up running and being told hiking was now a problem, I wasn’t ready to sign up for the rocking chair.

It gets much better by the third month.

I have a neighbor in at least her mid-seventies. More than one doctor has told her she needs a knee replacement but she won't do it because "I won't be able to go hiking for 3 months", or whatever time they tell her.

So I saw her the other day practically limping to her car with ace bandages on both knees. She goes hiking EVERY day. It's like she can't not go. She has to be in pain. One of these day she won't be able to hike at all because she won't do the surgery. Better off the trails for 3-4 months than forever.

Surgery always sucks but good for you for having the sense to get it done.

I don't remember exactly how long it had been before that first screaming revolution on the exercise bike. You are perhaps at the same place or maybe a little ahead of me. I feel your pain. (insert laugh here) But seriously, I think you are doing well. I know it's hard to be patient and not disappointed when your timeline is not meeting your expectations. When Al had his shoulder replaced after his skydiving accident, his surgeon said his recovery would be measured in 'seasons,' not months. That's another b-i-g joint and the same can be said for knees. Hang in there with the knowledge that you WILL get there. At least in your climate, you can still be pushing yourself as winter approaches. Good luck!

True that on our winter. One of the reasons I wouldn’t let him put it off another six months and lose what I can redeem of this coming winter and spring

Our Monsoon has been disappointing rain wise but it is still the best season to recover from something like this as the heat keeps you to short treks or off the trails altogether unless you go up the mountain. There are couple new ones up gets hopefully I can get before they start closing down the area.

Or there is next summer.

Managed some revolutions on my recumbent trike today. Tells me even if it’s stiff tomorrow that it’s possible.

Managed revolutions on my recumbent trike yesterday. It one of my high anxiety milestones to reach. Now I’ve done it once I know I can do it again even if there are days between when It’s not so attainable.

Good for you! I think it was a couple of days later before I did it again - and it was OK. Then every day after that.

Update on new knee

Rode 82 miles this past week over three rides. Yeah it aches after. But I can do it.

Also started doing stairs properly instead of good go to heaven and bad go to hell dragging the leg along up or down.

Friday will be first hike day. Some easy ones.

But I can do it

You go girl! Proud of you.