Posted 2011-09-15 8:27 PM (#137554) Subject: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
I was wondering if anyone on here has had a total knee replacement? Looks like I am line for one and it is coming quick. Too quick. Had right knee surgery Oct. 16, 2009 and they removed 60% of my meniscus (cartlidge). It's been going down ever since.
Posted 2011-09-16 8:46 AM (#137570 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
We have a couple of friends who ride again after multiple knee/hip replacements...They have advanced so far since the old appliances, you would practically be "Bionic". I would not hesitate. Now... for my brain replacement? One man we know competes with both knees replaced, he was re-injured when a giant woman fell on him at a horse sale, he had to have more surgery done but is fine now....
Posted 2011-09-16 9:40 AM (#137574 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Regular
Posts: 88
I had both of my knees replaced 8 years ago. Three years ago I started riding horse with my wife. I have had no problems with my knees. We do trail rides only. The only thing I'm careful of is tight trails where I might hit my knee off a tree.
Posted 2011-09-16 8:11 PM (#137602 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
Well this sounds encouraging....LOL I haven't been able to ride in over 2 years due to issues. I just had a shot in my knee (viscoussupplementation not cortizone due to lack of cartlidge) and they just changed my meds. I am doing better today. The last 2 weeks have been a challenge. Talking about short and bitchy...LOL I couldn't stand the pain anymore. I was on fire from my knee to my big toe.... This is my right knee. My left knee I had ACL surgery back in '93. Somalia did me in. I was in the Air Force. I hope things go better or else I will have no choice but to sell some horses. I am only 42, so the Dr. says I need to wait a while (8 yrs at least) before I can get a TKR for my right knee. If all this dosen't work I just might come unglued......
Posted 2011-09-17 3:54 PM (#137614 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Milton, FL
I had one in 2009 and swear it was the best thing I could have done. I was riding again 1 month post op. It was just at a walk on my steady eddy gaited mare and I needed help getting on and off. But I was so happy to be doing it. Since I healed up though, it's great! I even did my first 5K last year. I can't run, too much concussion, but I can walk it and feel great.
Posted 2011-09-18 8:39 PM (#137640 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Location: KY
Had both knees replaced in June 2007; was on my horse out west 40 days after the surgery. Trail ride and show. Showed Friday night and last night. Took 2d out of 4 in Trail Pleasure amateur owned and trained.
Posted 2011-09-18 10:26 PM (#137641 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522 Location: Tucumcari NM
After surgery I found that an english saddle was more comfortable because of the stirrups being further forward. I took my stock saddle to a saddle maker and had him trim the stirrup leathers and move the stirrups further forward. Problem solved.
Marla
Posted 2011-09-19 12:44 AM (#137647 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
A riding friend of mine is 82 yr old this year and had his hip replaced then the total knee 2 summers ago. He was out 10 weeks with the knee. He rides an aussie saddle because it doesn't turn or push on his knees. He also rides a gaited horse. Good luck to you.
Posted 2011-09-19 5:33 AM (#137650 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Regular
Posts: 88
My doctor also didn't want to do the surgery untill I was older(50). He finally did both of them at the same time because of them pain I was in. I couldn't sleep and was on the strongest pain meds at the time. I know I will have to have them done again due to my age. But the pain is gone! I have had 8 great years without pain. When you are fighting pain all the time your life is very miserable. Have a talk with your doctor again. It might be worth it.
Posted 2011-09-19 8:21 PM (#137681 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Location: KY
Good advice on talking to the doc again. Plus they really don't know how long these appliances will last. My surgeon wanted to get me to 55 before doing the knees. If I had known how much relief I would get, I would have pushed for the surgery sooner. I had the synvisc series twice in my left knee and once in my right. It helped alot, but my knees were so badly collapsed that I was quite bow legged. Getting my legs straight got me a little over a half inch of height back. It is also easier to rehab after the surgery if your muscles and tendons have not shortened so much from being unable to flex your knees. So go for it. It is way better than being on heavy duty pain killers all the time. Best of luck to you.
Posted 2011-09-19 9:29 PM (#137685 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
I got the Synvis shot Aug30. We shall see, it hasn't started working yet. I did have to go on an antiflamitory which is helping, No more burning. Not going on the pain meds. I refuse to be addicted to a pill. Hopefully I can see how I am going to be this weekend and try to ride.
Posted 2011-09-20 12:24 PM (#137705 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Member
Posts: 39 Location: Southwestern, Indiana
Spooler,
If you said your age I missed it, but my advice is to talk to another doctor or two. I understand their concern about waiting till you are older because they can only replace it so many times. But not having quality of life because of pain or inability to do things is not good either. I get a cartlidge replacement injection in each knee every 3 months due to arthritis and cartlidge degeneration. In that timeframe I have good days and bad ones, but at least I can still ride. If I wasn't riding and a knee replacement would correct that, I would talk to ten or more Doctors until I was convinced on which was correct to do (wait or replace now). Good luck whichever you decide.
Posted 2011-11-21 1:16 PM (#139026 - in reply to #137685) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Had my knee replaced at age 56 when enough was enough! Best thing I could have done...was riding with no problem in 5 months and have never looked back. The technology has really come a long ways since I had mine done in 2003 and my question to my doctor was...what if (rather, WHEN) I wear this one out, what then? His response was that they would just raplace it with one that no doubt will far surpass the one I have! That was good enough for me. I am extremely active and the only thing I don't do much is flat out run....been there, done that in my athletic career, which is why I wore the original one out! The rehab is NO piece of cake, BUT..suck it up and go for it...promise...you will be just fine...even better. Oh, I gained almost a half inch in height too! (straightened me right up, I guess!) Best of luck!
Posted 2011-12-26 2:31 PM (#139675 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
My stepfather had a knee replaced. Experienced the same thing many people who do so do. Right after surgery, 'Why did I do this.' Shortly into recovery, 'Why didn't I do this sooner?' His riding has improved as he doesn't favor that side anymore and he rides more, because it doesn't hurt anymore. Here's to uncomplicated surgery for you should you do it.Implants last longer then they used to and if the problem is so bad you are not able to do the things you love to do, it may be time to do it. Of course, your doctors, or perhaps a couple of doctors advice, is more educated then mine in the matter.
Posted 2012-02-06 9:08 PM (#140598 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
I haven't been on in a while. Not long after the shot everything went to poop. Knee burning all the way down to my big toe. Finally called the Dr. and got put on meds. The good thing is, my bloodpressure is back down to normal. It was high. Dr. said it was due to the pain. I have been getting along better. If I push it, I have issue. Not sure what to do yet.
Posted 2012-02-17 5:18 PM (#141149 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Angleton, TX
My husband really couldn't ride anymore due to his knees. He was 49 and the doctor wanted to wait until he was older. I insisted he push the doctor to do the surgery... So what if you have to have them replaced again? You miss so much in life if your in your 40's/50's and can't move around. Finally your at the time in your life when you can afford to enjoy camping/riding but your stuck in your easy chair til your 60? NOT! He has 2 new Titanium knees (done seperately) and now enjoys riding again! (he is more helpful around the barn too!) ps. he is 58 now and they are still going strong.
Posted 2012-02-21 6:58 PM (#141300 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Veteran
Posts: 212 Location: novinger, mo
How timely. My 76 year old husband had a single knee replacement Dec 23 and this week he was back in the saddle (just under 2 months)! Mounts from the right (it was his left knee) but gets up there and is riding short rides!
Posted 2012-04-13 7:04 AM (#143065 - in reply to #137554) Subject: RE: Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
Member
Posts: 15
Location: Ridgeville, SC
Hi everyone, first time poster but this really spoke to me. I suffered with my knees for years with the doctors saying the only thing that would help was replacement - but I was too young. I finally got fed up, fired my doctor, and found a well respected doc who was willing to do the replacement. I now have 2 new knees, one is 2 years old next month and the right one turned a year old last month. I am 52.I must say - it is the best thing ever! I ride horses and do all the other things I was missing out on because of the pain. I too watch for the knee knocker trees on the trail, but I did that before too. Spooler, find a different doctor. No sense living in pain and not being able to enjoy life.
Anyone had a total knee replacement and still able to ride?
My husband really couldn't ride anymore due to his knees. He was 49 and the doctor wanted to wait until he was older. I insisted he push the doctor to do the surgery... So what if you have to have them replaced again? You miss so much in life if your in your 40's/50's and can't move around. Finally your at the time in your life when you can afford to enjoy camping/riding but your stuck in your easy chair til your 60? NOT! He has 2 new Titanium knees (done seperately) and now enjoys riding again! (he is more helpful around the barn too!) ps. he is 58 now and they are still going strong.