Total Knee Replacement

[Beebop]

Hi all,

I've been a lurker on here for ages and it's probably the best place to come to for advice. I've just had my right knee replaced and I am wondering if anyone has had one done and how long was it before you could ride again. I'm just short of a month post surgery, the knee is still pretty big but the exercises are going well. I'm seriously dying to get back on my horse, I do dressage and show jump and am 60 years old. Any advice would be most welcome.

Thank you:D

[BabyBracken]

hi, i had a total knee replacement when i was 11 years old (am now 20). i was back in the saddle 6 months later although was a bit sore to start with. Good luck and if you have anymore questions let me know

[fairlady]

Hi and sorry to hear about your op. My Ex OH had a knee replacement last year and has just had another one, so I know how painful it is.

Truth of the matter is you really need to discuss it with your Surgeon and see what he suggests other than that try it and see how you get on but remember to take it easy.

[Beebop]

You had it done at 12 years old!!!! Crikey and I thought at 60 I was young for having one! I would think I will be a whole lot less agile than you were but as long as I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel I'm happy. I couldn't imagine not riding anymore. I actually drove the car up and down the driveway today but would not think of going on the roads yet.:eek:

[coverblown]

I'm sorry I don't know how long it will take - just wanted to wish you well, I have heard that generally it is a really successful op and I am sure that you will be jumping into the saddle soon. Very best wishes.

A. x

[old_woman]

There is often a lot of discussion about knee replacements on cycling forums as of course a full range of knee movement is even more essential for the riders of cycles of any type than it is for us riders of four-legged beasties.

There seems to be little problem with any activity - even cycling - as long as you do everything advised by the physio and take everything gradually.

I am nearly 70 and looking at knee replacement if there is any further joint deterioration - so far so good, though.

[Beebop]

My thanks to all who replied, what a great response! :D Slow and steady seems to be the way forward, I'm being very good and doing as I am told by the hospital but a bit of support from others is fantastic and a real help! :)

[mistysmum]

Hi - my OH had his knee done last year - he does a lot of hill walking and has just started doing some gentle climbs - he finds the problem is the stress on the joint coming back down. His consultant has been great even suggesting to the physio that he did specific exercises to help.
Just a thought - if you have a quiet ride - or a lead rein ride you may be able to get 'on board' a bit earlier? As long as you get the medical all clear of course
;)MM

[aussieannie]

Hi Beebop,
I am a Physiotherapist. You are a brave lady but go for it. Now to manage with normal daily living you need 90 degree flexion. To ride you need about the same. I broke my knee a few years ago and to get back riding is painfull. Get the swelling down follow your exercise instructions and dont get on a horse until you can squat to 90 degree in standing. get a ball and start practising the rise trot on the ball. Remember the rise trot is similar to a controlled squat. Do alot of pilates exercies as well you need very strong stomach muscles more so now you have a new knee. cheers good luck stay in touch
AA

[Beebop]

I'm a bit fed up to say the least, I've been stuggling with infection, not in the wound but sort of surrounding it and am taking antibiotics by the bucket load. Today it's been really painful and hard to do the exercises but if I don't do them it seizes up. Although heat from the infection is reducing gradually the swelling isn't and I'm not sure if I should a) still be in so much pain and b) still have so much swelling. I can't get it straight whatever I do and it's starting to worry me. Went to my private physio and she did some strapping which was to activate my thigh muscles, sadly I was allergic to the stuff and it started to itch like crazy so I took it off and found I had huge blisters, the sort of blobby hanging ones full of fluid! :eek: If things don't improve soon I'm going to ask my GP to get me back to the consultant sooner than my appointment of 19th March. Sorry for the self indulgent whinge, I'm just a bit stressed with all the problems! :o

[Nik-n-Kia]

I am one more torn tendon off a Knee replacement and I was told to kiss goodbye to riding for about a year if not longer should I get it done and I am only 24 :o

I was 'threatend' that if I should cause my surgeon any more problems that he woudl just amputate it for the hassel that I have caused him over the years with the 4 legged beasties:p;)

Good luck with the recovery and keep us posted!!!

Nikki xxxx

[Alle]

I didn't have a knee replacement, but did have a badly torn miniscus repaired about 4 1/2 years ago. I got the injury from palying volleyball, which was my old passion, before I rediscovered horses. :) Anyway, I went in for PT 4 days a week, and my doctor cleared me for all sports 8 weeks after the operation. I was 44. And that is when I got back into horses. :)

So, your operation was much more invasive and severe then what I went through, but if you do the exercises regularly and are determined, you'll be back in that saddle soon I bet! Best of luck on a quick recovery.

[oldpunk]

Hi, Beebop, how's the knee?

Don't know much about them but I do recall the hunting ladies debating the best time of year for a hip replacement in the Dog & ~Donkey a few years ago...

[Widget]

My mum had one on Friday. Her leg has now swollen all the way down to her foot (which has gone black!). She was given an exercise sheet to follow, but cant do any of them yet as it so swollen. Hope this is normal!:eek:

[poohsmate]

Last time i had an op on my knee, i was told it was only a matter of time before they both needed replacing...... Not something im looking froward to.
so far so good, touch wood.;)
Good luck with yours Beebop, hope it starts to mend soon, and your back in the saddle ASAP.:D

[Beebop]

Hi all, things are improving slowly now I've got rid of the infection. It's still a bit hot but consultant says it will be for a while. I do the exercises religiously and can ride the exercise bike. I started the bike with the saddle really high and have now dropped it down three holes to increase the bend.

Widget it's very normal, it took a while longer for the brusing to come out on me but boy, was it impressive and a bit scary to say the least. I used loads of ice on it to reduce the swelling and your mum really does need to start the exercises to get the muscles working. When I first got home I could not lift my leg off the floor onto the bed, I had to put the other one under it and hoick it up. The bend was a bit easier because I sat on a chair and pushed my foot back with the other one, it hurt like hell but had to be done, I have a 95 degree bend now which is really good. You could assist her with the straight leg lifts by just putting your hand under her heel and taking a little of the weight, this gets the quads moving again. I hope it goes well for her and please tell her it does get better. I'm 7 weeks after surgery and walk without any sticks or crutches, it's still stiffish but not much pain now. If there is anything she would like to ask me please do, I felt very abandonded by the NHS when I came out of hospital with an A4 exercise sheet and nothing else. I wasn't even offered physio so went private, that was a big help! My next trick is to get on my horse again, can't wait!:D

[coverblown]

Beebop, try your GP for NS physio. I didnt get offered any after breaking my back last Feb, and eventually got some which was fantastic. But they said that it would make little difference until the broken bones had fused - so the 12 wk delay wasn't wasted time.

I broke my back riding last February (11th) and was back in early June. I have lost some skill but the best thing is - I have lost most of my nervousness!!!

It is such a waste of time out of the saddle - I have decided not to waste time in the saddle being a nervous wimp......

[Beebop]

I rode my horse today! :) Well I sat on her and the yard owner lead me round the arena, we had a little trot as well! I had no problems apart from feeling I should have a seat belt on, the new knee wasn't in the least painful! Physio had found I was very blocked in the hip and has given me some exercises to do which have been really helpful, I always had bad hip pain when I first got on my horse. Today, no pain at all, how good is that! I am a bionic rider!:D

[coverblown]

Fantastic - cantering in no time. Well done you.