Double knee replacement---yikes!!
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 808
Likes: 1
From: so.jersey
I'm 54 years old and if I were you I'd be getting a second opinion. They used to say 50's was too young but that's just not so anymore. Studies have shown that the prosthesis (DePuy rotating mobile bearing platforms in particular) they're using for knee replacements today are lasting 20 years and beyond. And if if it turns out I need new knees again when I'm 75 my guess is they'll be light years ahead with the surgery by then so bring it on.
Just for a little background: I've had a total of 5 surgeries on my knees, three left and two right, twice synvisc injected (it's kinda like amsoil for the knees except it was worthless for me) and twice with cortisone shots. I've taken more pills in the last two years than most folks do in a lifetime and my gut's not at all happy about it. So bottom line...it's time.
Thanks to all for the encouragement and I hope to be back on the road by April!
Just for a little background: I've had a total of 5 surgeries on my knees, three left and two right, twice synvisc injected (it's kinda like amsoil for the knees except it was worthless for me) and twice with cortisone shots. I've taken more pills in the last two years than most folks do in a lifetime and my gut's not at all happy about it. So bottom line...it's time.
Thanks to all for the encouragement and I hope to be back on the road by April!
i'm 55 now and thought i was to young for knee surgery. but....we tried all the other remidies and was just buying time did the synvisc ,did the pills ,you name it .you can only take so much pain.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 89,152
From: Western South Dakota
I haven't had BTKR,(and do not want to at all) but I did have RTKR done and was riding the bike in 9-10 weeks.
It's a long recovery though, and there ain't much easy about it.
I'm 7 months post op and still getting there.
BTW; I have the same kind of implant.
My PT said "It takes a year for full recovery." I've even heard 18-24 months.
It ain't no picnic. It's a major invasive surgery, trust me.
I don't say that to worry you, but be fore warned...
Don't allow the PT's to push you either.
They have this "big thing about ROM." Do not worry about that **** at all.
In the UK they do not even start you at PT for 6-8 weeks post op..
You're gonna need some support, as there isn't any really out there,
and that is very frustrating.
PM me when you're out of the hosptial and sitting around on the computer and I'll give you some links and sites to go to.
There are several of us on this board who have TKR.
Good luck..
PM me any time.
It's a long recovery though, and there ain't much easy about it.
I'm 7 months post op and still getting there.
BTW; I have the same kind of implant.
My PT said "It takes a year for full recovery." I've even heard 18-24 months.
It ain't no picnic. It's a major invasive surgery, trust me.
I don't say that to worry you, but be fore warned...
Don't allow the PT's to push you either.
They have this "big thing about ROM." Do not worry about that **** at all.
In the UK they do not even start you at PT for 6-8 weeks post op..
You're gonna need some support, as there isn't any really out there,
and that is very frustrating.
PM me when you're out of the hosptial and sitting around on the computer and I'll give you some links and sites to go to.
There are several of us on this board who have TKR.
Good luck..
PM me any time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
Doc told me he did a lot of old bikers right knees from kick statrting the bikes. I went in Dec. and was riding in the spring.Yeah! pressing the knee down on a table to get it straight hurt like 'ell but I kept asking the theraphist if that was "all he had". We laughed and it helped ease the pain. BTW 69 on the 22nd of this month.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
My 84 year old mom had both done Sept 16th and spent 3-weeks in rehad because she has an upstairs bathroom. They had her up and walking the next day, it was pretty amazing and she was almost to the point of being in a wheel chair. She is now climbing flights of stairs with no problem. If she can do it so can you! Good Luck!
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I've been putting off the BTLR for years. The doc wants to see if I can hold out until I'm 50. The knees are actually why I got my own bike. I just couldn't sit on the back of any bike for more than 15 minutes without having to get help to get off the bike. I'd love to upgrade from the 883XL, but I seriously doubt that my knees could handle holding anything else....much less be able to back the darn thing up.
I too have tried the synvisc twice. The first time was a couple of years ago and then again just a couple months ago. It really didn't help any.
I do know that when I do have the knees replaced, it's going to be in October or November so that I will be able to ride again in the spring.
I too have tried the synvisc twice. The first time was a couple of years ago and then again just a couple months ago. It really didn't help any.
I do know that when I do have the knees replaced, it's going to be in October or November so that I will be able to ride again in the spring.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 116
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Texas
You'll be good to go by spring if you do the rehab and follow the doc's instructions. Like many have posted, it's going to be painfull. I was walking a little over 2 miles a day within 2 weeks of my surgery. You have to stay with the rehab and listen to what you body is telling you. The biggest cause of failure is not following the docs's rehab instructions. I was on a constant motion machine for 8 hours a day for 21 days after surgery and I would swear by it. Quality of life is what it's all about. As for running on the new joints, be careful, the impact of running can shorten the life of the implant. It's not the implant that usually fails, its the bond between the bone and the implant that becomes compromised. I can walk faster than most people that run in my area. Less stress on your knees means relates to the joint lasting longer.
Best wishes with a speedy recovery.
Best wishes with a speedy recovery.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Day 5 post surgery and yep...this stuff hurts. I have my second round of PT tomorrow morning. I'm getting about 90 degrees of bend in both knees but I swear like a sailor getting there. They've let me walk short distances with a walker, without the leg imobilizers and that's encouraging. Those first steps were scary. The daily increases in strength, flexibility and confidence are amazing. Bottom line, there's is no sugar coating this operation, it truly hurts like hell; but I sure like the idea of only one surgery, one rehab. Thanks to all for the encouragement and well wishes! See you on the highway this spring!