Advice on cycling after replacement knee

[ikdo01]

Am looking for advice on starting cycling again following a knee replacement. I used to cycle (off road and commuting) regularly until a few years ago when a disastrous operation for a dislocated shoulder following a tumble left my right right arm paralysed for nigh on two years due to trapped nerves.

As I couldn't cycle I started jogging and walking to work (about 7 miles) to stop my weight ballooning until excruciating pain in my right knee led to a return to the hospital and a series of arthroscopys - the first worked quite well, the subsequent ones did nothing but leave me in additional pain and I have now been told I have no cartilage in my right knee and it needs to be replaced. I am only 48. On the plus side, I now have the use of my right arm again so I can restart cycling after the op, which as its weight bearing is probably better for me than running, so...

Am really looking for advice (well inspiration) from anyone who has had a new knee on how quickly they were able to return to cycling and what restrictions it imposed. I appreciate it is different in every case and I'm guessing my days of serious off road and traffic light sprints are gone, but did you find any other issues. How quickly were you able to start again? Were you able to to get back up to previous distance and speed? How long have you had the replacement knee? I've been told to expect between 10 - 15 years before it needs to be replaced again, but am nervous that if I start cycling again this may shorten considerably.

 

[Roadrider48]

I remember having an arthroscopy some years ago; the happy gas they gave me was amazing. Probably don't use that now.
My problem is that I have two completely fused ankles. I can't really walk very well, but cycling is non weight bearing so it's ok. I guess a new knee maybe kind of similar.

 

[ufkacbln]

I will let you know!!!!

My wife is having hers doen tomorrow, and our surgeon is a keen cyclist so We will seek his advice as we progress

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Big sympathy, I'm not far behind you in age or knee trouble. my current consultant is quite an advocate of cycling as it is not as jarring as running etc, I've asked him worst case scenario about a new knee and implications for cycling and he didn't suggest I'd have any bother but he was keener on keeping me intact for a few more years yet and putting off my doom and gloom questions.

 

[vickster]

I have mild to moderate arthritis in my left knee and a meniscus tear right now. I cycled 2500 miles outside in 2013, with another couple of k on the static bike. My consultant is happy for me to cycle, never discussed distance etc as he is a non cyclist. Running Is a complete no no however (thank God )

Best to seek advice from the surgeon and also your physio after the op

If you want more feedback, post in the tkr section on the knee forum, knee geeks

www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEtalk/index.php

 

[Roadrider48]

I have mild to moderate arthritis in my left knee and a meniscus tear right now. I cycled 2500 miles outside in 2013, with another couple of k on the static bike. My consultant is happy for me to cycle, never discussed distance etc as he is a non cyclist. Running Is a complete no no however (thank God )

Best to seek advice from the surgeon and also your physio after the op

If you want more feedback, post in the tkr section on the knee forum, knee geeks

www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEtalk/index.php

moderate forms of exercise up to what your pain threshold will take are good for Arthritis. I'm a bit an expert on the subject, having been born with multiple arthritic joints.

 

[ikdo01]

Thanks for the comments.

I was given a GA for each of my arthroscopies, I agree with moderate exercise, but am overly fond of pies, beer and cake and lack any real self control so am worried I'll put on so much weight I'll just end up stressing the knee even more. I've put on over half a stone in the last six months as I can no longer exercise - even walking is a no no :-(

My consultant also delayed due to my age (the first arthroscopy was actually in 2007, 2 years before I broke/dislocated my shoulder), and I was able to carry on cycling up until about 6 months ago (having abandoned running a year ago), but it had reached the point where I couldn't manage much more than a mile on the bike without serious discomfort and unclipping, even with the spd at its lightest setting, was just plain agony.

Didn't know about knee guru but will peruse with interest.

Cunobelin - Hope it goes well. She has my sympathy! My op is in two months so I'd be very interested to hear how she progresses.

 

[Roadrider48]

Yeah, also from me....I hope your wife has a good result Cunobelin.
ikdo01....use flat pedals if more comfy. If you can only cycle a mile, cycle a mile for now and see how it goes.
Good luck with the other stuff mate.

 

[ikdo01]

I have now fitted flat pedals to my main bike, but I much prefer my spds ...

 

[Roadrider48]

I have now fitted flat pedals to my main bike, but I much prefer my spds ...

If needs must....

 

[babytiger]

Ive had 2 knee replacements on my right knee with the last op being in Feb last year .I've now been on a road bike for about 8 weeks and no pain on my knee as its non weight bearing .I have flat pedals on my bike and my right foot sits at an angle on the pedal as this is most comfortable for me but everybody is different .The main thing is I'm back on a bike and manage to keep up with Pete most of the time .

 

[Dangermouse]

Ive had 2 knee replacements on my right knee with the last op being in Feb last year .I've now been on a road bike for about 8 weeks and no pain on my knee as its non weight bearing .I have flat pedals on my bike and my right foot sits at an angle on the pedal as this is most comfortable for me but everybody is different .The main thing is I'm back on a bike and manage to keep up with Pete most of the time .

As the missus ^^ has said, she had two full replacements in an 18 month period due to the first op going horribly wrong, but after being sent to Claremont hospital in Sheffield and having the first knee replacement sorted out by the same bloke who sorts out Condor cycling teams knee problems, she is now bak on her bike and although she cant give it the full beans yet, she can certainly keep up with me on a good day for a good few miles, but my advice is............start slow and low pressure rides, then work up to longer rides, you have to remember, and I am fed up telling Babytiger, all her muscle has gone and she has to build it up at a slower rate, yet she still insists on having the odd little sprint when she should be concentrating on building the muscle back up without doing any damage to her new knee, we do know how you feel and what you are going through, so if you or anyone going through the same needs a chat then please do send us a PM and we will gladly give you our tel no and have a chat.