Knee replacement
61
Member
1246 days
wilsondaj posted 2 years ago.
Nancy
I am not an othropedic surgeon but I am doing my thesis in biomedical engineering working with total knee replacements.
First off, if you can stand the pain stay with your own knees for as long as possible, man just cant recreate what nature gives us (at least yet).
Secondl, the most important single piece of advice I would 100% listen to is to find a high volume knee replacement specialist, someone who does on the order of 100+ knees a year. These specialists are familiar with the latest technolgies and thier outcomes are much better then general practice orthopedic sugeons.
TKR technology is getting much better all the time and it will still be possible to cycle for sure, and possibly run depending on your outcome. However, there are a couple reasons why it will be tough to run, one is due to changes in the kinematics of the knee joint, the TKR's of today do not move the same way as your knee does and the musculature takes a while to relearn movement patterns you have had your whole life and two is the possibility of pain.
Wearing out the joint is a concern, however, the new polyethylenes (the white bearing surface) are highly crosslink (very durable) and should last for a while, a bigger concern is the method of fixation (the interface between the body and the implant can be cemented or uncemented). A cemented knee is associated with lower rates of failure early on but is certainly going to fail requiring revision in the long term (10-15 years or less for a young active person), whereas uncemented knees are more likely to fail earlier but if they achieve good fixation may last for much longer. Although, here in canada the surgeon usually makes the decision I know in the states the patient has more choice, my recomendation is to find a surgeon who has done athletes before, ask what type of knee was used for them and what thier outcome was like. If possible get in touch with these people and ask how they feel about it.
Don't give up hope people have run marathons on TKR
Dave
2
Member
912 days
tri_1175 posted 2 years ago.
Hey there, what a bummer! also I'm not an orthopaedic surgeon but I am a physio so hopefully I can give you some hope!! As mentioned, keep your knee as long as possible - have you tried one of the excellent ACL braces out there? Pricey, but can be worth it. TKR's traditionally aren't done on youngin's like yourself as they can last only about 13 years. Typically restrictions are minimal, however, maximal flexion is usually around 110o with running and high impact activities to be avoided. There is some new research on TKR's for active people which are a different type of hinge system and typically have shorter recovery times. Get at least 2 opinions from a sports minded orthopaedic surgeon. I believe they are doing some in Vancouver BC. Alternatively, if you have to get a "traditional" knee, use pedals with lots of float, low tension, and take up speed walking. You'd be amazed how many good runners with bad knees excel and cruise by those "trying to run" those last few miles/kms.
Good luck!!:)
1
Member
787 days
howe2 posted 2 years ago.
It just can not be said enough. Get a Doctor that specializes in knees, only knees! Maybe even for Professional teams/athletes. What about a donor knee? I know someone who had both replaced and has no problems.
414
Member
1365 days
trithis04 posted 2 years ago.
NGDVM;51548 wrote:
I am wondering if anyone has had this done or knows of other triathletes that have had a knee replaced and returned to training and racing??
Nancy,
I give you my input from two perspectives. First, I'm 25 and have had both of my ACLs surgically reconstructed. I've been fortunate and so far have had no complications with with either knee.
Now, to answer your question. I do know someone with a total knee replacement who has returned to a fully active lifestyle. A little background, this individual is male in his late 50's, in his prime he was a very competive age grouper both as a tritahlete and cyclist. After suffering a sevre knee injury he went through surgery and rehab. He was able to continue to train both cycling and running. So far as to complete group rides covering 700-900 miles a week, maybe not holding the pace with the lead pac, but out there doing it none the less. I've talked to him at length about his problems. After years of battling the pain in his joint he finally decided to have the replacement. From what he has told me he could not be happier. While he has had a long road back, he no longer deals with the day to day pain. He has returned to daily workouts. I don't think that he is able to put in the time or equal the intensity he once was capable of, however, he is very active!
From my experience, I think the most important thing to remember is everyone is different. Not all people will recover with the same capcity, some more, some less. I have no doubt that this is a trying decision, but I hope that at least, one story of success will bring some hope if ultimately decide to have the surgery. Good luck to you!!
[FONT=Impact]-Jason
"Fatigue will make cowards of us all!"
I am a 47 year old female triathlon wanna be--o.k. I have done a few sprints but 2 years ago I had ACL reconstruction and it has been downhill ever since. Now I am told that I need a total knee replacement. I am wondering if anyone has had this done or knows of other triathletes that have had a knee replaced and returned to training and racing?? I have been told that after the surgery I will not be able to run. I am not sure why that is the case. I guess there is concern that I will wear out the new joint which I plan to do any way. So.... Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Nancy G.