View Full Version : Total Knee Replacement
I just came from the orthopedic surgeons' office with his recomendation for a total knee replacement. I'ts been scheduled for late in October. With all the research I've done basicly, the experts advise after rehab, light sports activity ie; biking, light hiking, swimming ect... No "high impact" sports. So, I decided to turn to another panel of (real world ) experts.. my Bros at TT. For the past 30 yrs I've enjoyed barefoot, Slalom and as of late wakeboard w/o the 'air". I am having a hard time coming to grips with the thought of not being able to participate in any of these disciplines again. My interest is to see if there are any of my esteemed colleagues in TT Land that has had to go through this same dilemma? I'd first like to know how your surgery went and then how that impacted your waterskiing. I hope none of you think I'm an idiot for even thinking about barefootong post a major knee surgery. Because I know you would beat up on a brother here on this sight. My barefoot runs(all forward) consist only of deep starts, wake crosses and tumble turns. After doing it for so long it's all 2nd nature. I don't take the eyelid peeling falls of yesteryear. I guess you could say I know very well where the edge of the envelope is. Anyway, I would like to get any and all insight possible.
Thanks,
Dawg.
trickskier
09-19-2008, 06:32 PM
Sorry to hear that.................Check with TEX
WTRSK1R
09-19-2008, 06:36 PM
I ski with a guy who has had his hip replaced. I can not tell you the difference between the stress on the hip versus the knee, but he has had no issues. In fact his skiing has improved significantly just because he does not favor the hip so much anymore.
Steve
03 35th Anniversary
09-19-2008, 06:39 PM
I think it took Tex a couple of years of rehab, but this past summer he was getting back into it. I know he talked about some of the barefoot runs he had been making.
JohnnyB
09-19-2008, 07:01 PM
I had a hip resurfacing in December of 2006 and now slalom and barefoot again. However, my hip prosthesis has the ability to handle high impact as it has been successful with marathoners, iron man participants, kickboxers, etc.
Do lots of research before looking at one particular prosthesis/solution as technology improves all the time. There may be something around the corner or in use in Europe that is a better technology worth waiting for.
If Total Hip Replacement was my only option, I'd still have my normal hip and be suffering as it would limit my life less than replacement. However, the new technology of hip resurfacing offers a different solution. It was FDA approved in April of 2006.
There are many discussion boards on the subject of joint replacements. Start your research on activejoints.com.
Also, I can give you the name of my doctor. He is a leader in the field of joint replacement and was one of the pioneers in the US for hip resurfacing. PM if you want it.
Best of luck.
JohnnyB
09-19-2008, 07:09 PM
I just went out to activejoints.com and found that there are quite a few options for knee replacement prosthesis. You should research them....stumbled across the link to knees made by the mfg of my hip prosthesis....here's the link:
http://global.smith-nephew.com/us/Journey_Active_Solutions_23574.htm
Do your homework.
Ramhouse
09-19-2008, 08:39 PM
Well i'm in the same boat you are, total knee replacement. My problem is being as young as i am, 55. Doc wants to wait a few years. I have had success with hyloronic acid (chicken fat) injected into the knee. Works great for about 4 months without the extrem pain then at 6 months you can get more. My doc did advise me me of no extreme sports. But basiclly nothing with bindings! So i don"t know if footing would fit here? So the skis are gone so is the wakeboard. The wakeskate seems to be okay, and for the price of one it's a blast. Also a new addition to the invetory is and Airchair. Not standing, nor flexing the knees this was the perfect fix. So don't feel like all you have to do is drive from now on, just find other options..and good luck with surgury and important, REHAB,REHAB,AND MORE REHAB. An older friend did extensive rehab, much more than advised and he is great!!!
Good luck again...
bigmac
09-19-2008, 09:16 PM
There are several options for knee replacemet. I'd strongly recommend an orthopedist that specializes in joints - Adult Reconstructive Joint Surgery, Lower is a separate 2-year training program beyond a General Orthopedics residency. I would highly recommend not just seeing your local General Orthopedist for this.
Where are you located?
Age Fighter
09-19-2008, 09:54 PM
I think it's time for second opinion. I would think that knee replacement would be what you do so you can in fact join regular activities again. (my diagnosis yesterday was to have the scope clean up scar tissue on my meniscus).
My ortho doc is an avid water sports guy, and my understanding that slalom, for example, is not as hard on the knees as wake boarding, etc. I would think with proper replacement, you should be able to continue most of what you want to do.
Good luck.
Well i'm in the same boat you are, total knee replacement. My problem is being as young as i am, 55. Doc wants to wait a few years. I have had success with hyloronic acid (chicken fat) injected into the knee. Works great for about 4 months without the extrem pain then at 6 months you can get more. My doc did advise me me of no extreme sports. But basiclly nothing with bindings! So i don"t know if footing would fit here? So the skis are gone so is the wakeboard. The wakeskate seems to be okay, and for the price of one it's a blast. Also a new addition to the invetory is and Airchair. Not standing, nor flexing the knees this was the perfect fix. So don't feel like all you have to do is drive from now on, just find other options..and good luck with surgury and important, REHAB,REHAB,AND MORE REHAB. An older friend did extensive rehab, much more than advised and he is great!!!
Good luck again...
Thanks Ramhouse. I am 47, I also had the chicken dirivitive injections... with no results. My problem is "bone to bone" in two compartments. I"m on short term medical leave from the Fire Department and I'm out of options now. I see the rationale behind the "no binding" clause but barefooting is the real passion... Also I'm no stranger to intense rehab. At this point in my life I could be the poster boy for the American Orthopedic Board with rebuilds on the other knee and both shoulders. So maybe there is a glimmer of hope to scoot across some glass again some day.
Thanks again.
I think it's time for second opinion. I would think that knee replacement would be what you do so you can in fact join regular activities again. (my diagnosis yesterday was to have the scope clean up scar tissue on my meniscus).
My ortho doc is an avid water sports guy, and my understanding that slalom, for example, is not as hard on the knees as wake boarding, etc. I would think with proper replacement, you should be able to continue most of what you want to do.
Good luck.
Check your PM.
88 PS190
09-20-2008, 02:48 AM
Just out of curiosity what is your body build like?
Sat in on a PT continuing education class (with the mother) I do not remember the lecturer's name but he specialized in doing knee and hip reconstruction. And the number one thing he said was that in so many cases loosing some weight removed the necessity or delayed the need for a replacement joint.
That 5 pounds would relieve alot of discomfort and that 10 pounds was a huge difference and in many patients they no longer sought the knee replacement.
I assume that being into watersports (particularly barefoot) you probably do not have much extra on there, but I just thought I'd mention it.
bigmac
09-20-2008, 08:46 AM
Just out of curiosity what is your body build like?
Sat in on a PT continuing education class (with the mother) I do not remember the lecturer's name but he specialized in doing knee and hip reconstruction. And the number one thing he said was that in so many cases loosing some weight removed the necessity or delayed the need for a replacement joint.
That 5 pounds would relieve alot of discomfort and that 10 pounds was a huge difference and in many patients they no longer sought the knee replacement.
It's a good point. One pound of body weight translates to 4 pounds of pressure on each knee. A ten pound weight loss results in almost 50,000 lbs reduction in pressure load on each knee per mile walked.
I knew at some point the "fat question" would get asked...and it is a ligitimate one. Yes I do carry about 25 extra pounds(lg frame 5' 11" 235) and have been in the process of getting it down. My surgeon and I talked about that very thing and it's a definate predisposing factor of the condition my knee is in now. From about 1994 I've been running 5 k's like a mad man. Running about every other day and races in the fall with skiing no less than 3x a week. With being a Fire/Medic and Rescue Diver even though dropping the weight and getting the stress off my knee would still land me in an admin desk ride.(I shudder at the thought) I can't articulate my knee even with no weight bearing. So a replacement will let me get back to the job. But I appreciate so much the comments. Since running is out I have transferred that energy to the pool and now doing about 3500yds. a day and the extra lbs. are going away slowly. Middle aged metabolism is a BEAR!!
bigmac
09-20-2008, 11:56 AM
Extra weioght isn't just a predisposiing factor, it's an aggravating factor, even for bone-on-bone and advanced DJD.
Dawg-I think your bros here are giving you good advice. I myself have had acl, pcl, and mcl repair on the left knee followed by a broken medial condyle bone on the femur where it attaches to the same knee. All in one year. That's 8 screws in one knee. The doc told me that anything else and it's time to start looking at replacements. I did rehab very hard and have returned to sky skiing, footing, show skiing, some jumping, but no wakeboarding yet. I have 2 friends who have had their hips replaced since retiring from pro skiing. Both big strong dudes who are allowed to foot but don't jump anymore. My advice would be get several opinions from several docs. Check with your PT and find a doc who specializes in sports. Take a video to him of what you want to keep doing. I was amazed at what the didn't know about skiing. Good luck! I hope my rant helped! By the way-I'm 43 and my friends are about the same age.