Knees
Re: Knees
I have not had the surgery, but know a few folks who’ve been through it and suspect you’ll get a lot of help on this in your therapy sessions following the surgery. They’ll work with you on regaining flexibility and range of motion, and most therapy centers make regular use of rowing machines in rehabilitation programs. I’m sure they’ll be a good resource to safely getting back in the groove. Good luck!
63Y, M, 70” 215# Started: Jan 2021 @ 240# Goal: Fitness & Endurance
500 | 1000 | 2000 | 5000 | 30min | 10000 | HM
1:37 | 3:37 | 7:48 | 21:27 | 6803 | 45:24. | 1:42:08
500 | 1000 | 2000 | 5000 | 30min | 10000 | HM
1:37 | 3:37 | 7:48 | 21:27 | 6803 | 45:24. | 1:42:08
Re: Knees
I am getting ready for a knee replacement next month, unless elective surgeries get delayed due to covid. Ortho doc has insisted that prepping presurg really helps recovery. Rowing is on his list of approved activities. Been going to the hospital fitness center 3-4 times a week doing bikes and weights enough to break a sweat. Also do several stretching exercises. At home I used spare lumber to build two 12x24x7 blocks to put under the legs. That puts to rower seat at an average seat height. I am 6'7" so this makes for an easy on/easy off process even now. Also allows for easy knee flexing while sitting on the seat and simply rocking back/forth. There are many videos on line from physicians and PTs on using the rower to rehab. These includes multiple ways to simply break the rowing process into smaller parts (surg knee foot on the ground, feet as normal but no knee flexion, etc.). How soon I can start very easy rowing after surgery will depend on my pain tolerance level. Home PT will start day after surgery and they will help set up a rowing schedule. Can't say I am looking forward to this but I also want this done.
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Roger Ramjet
- Paddler
- Posts: 9
- Joined: January 11th, 2018, 7:30 pm
Re: Knees
Yes. Did both knees in 2020, 4 months apart. The rower was great for range of motion and building back the strength. I was back rowing less than 3 weeks post op. Started back at 2000m. My advice is to attack the PT like an athlete. Work in=Out come. Feel free to PM me. Good luck. For me it has been a lifestyle changer.
Re: Knees
Good Luck TFred67, I hope all goes well for you and I can feel your pain, funny thing is I get on the rower and could last all day if my body let me but I can’t last more than 15 mins on a gentle walk, and thank you very much Roger Ramjet for your reply I don’t envy both knees 
but at least I know I won’t have to give up rowing
but at least I know I won’t have to give up rowing-
Roger Ramjet
- Paddler
- Posts: 9
- Joined: January 11th, 2018, 7:30 pm
Re: Knees
The second one was easy after the first. I knew all the answers to the same test. I did the second one as out patient due to COVID. There are some rough spots but, it well worth it for me. For 20 years I thought about my knees, now I only think about them when I miss the pain. I am stronger and more flexible than I ever was. My drive length has increased from 1.17ish to 1.27.
Re: Knees
Take this for what it's worth... totally subjective and my personal experience only.
About me, because it's pertinent:
Age 62
Crepitus is the cracking/crackling noise and sensation that older folks experience going up stairs or getting up out of a low chair. If you've heard your joints crackle, that's it. I believe what's happening is that the patella is sliding over the implant and for whatever reason it's not happening smoothly. It's not particularly painful per se, but unnerving and definitely uncomfortable when it happens.
In my case it expresses as follows: If I fold my knee up tight and extend it with no load, I get a small crackle. If I do so under load (squat, hug your knees and then stand, or get up from a low seat) it fires off with a vengeance. If, when seated, I extend my knees to a certain point before standing, it doesn't happen.
Before I bought the erg I was naturally concerned about this, since the stroke starts with bent knees. Fortunately it hasn't been an issue for whatever reason. Might be because the full load doesn't take place until the knee has extended a bit, maybe it's because I'm not loading the knee as much as I would if lifting my whole body weight, maybe (probably) it's a combination of both.
Hope this helps
About me, because it's pertinent:
Age 62
- Started rowing less than a month ago (mid January 2022) to gain fitness/lose weight. Doing minimum 30 minutes a day, varying workouts.
Overweight but not above the obesity line (BMI 28)
Sedentary lifestyle before I started rowing... office job
No issues re high blood pressure or cardio beyond my lack of overall fitness. RHR 52-54
Crepitus is the cracking/crackling noise and sensation that older folks experience going up stairs or getting up out of a low chair. If you've heard your joints crackle, that's it. I believe what's happening is that the patella is sliding over the implant and for whatever reason it's not happening smoothly. It's not particularly painful per se, but unnerving and definitely uncomfortable when it happens.
In my case it expresses as follows: If I fold my knee up tight and extend it with no load, I get a small crackle. If I do so under load (squat, hug your knees and then stand, or get up from a low seat) it fires off with a vengeance. If, when seated, I extend my knees to a certain point before standing, it doesn't happen.
Before I bought the erg I was naturally concerned about this, since the stroke starts with bent knees. Fortunately it hasn't been an issue for whatever reason. Might be because the full load doesn't take place until the knee has extended a bit, maybe it's because I'm not loading the knee as much as I would if lifting my whole body weight, maybe (probably) it's a combination of both.
Hope this helps
Re: Knees
Bit late with the reply - sorry.
Had a total left knee replacement just before Xmas 2021 and it did not want to bend afterwards. The physio guy said I was "guarding it", but the muscles had cut out when the pain kicked in and he was lifting me into the air trying to bend the knee - along with a serious amount of pain.
Even knocked off one of those pictures from the wall behind the bench.
Had to have an MUA (Manipulation under anesthesia) after 5 weeks as the knee would not get to 90°. Serious pain for an hour after that little operation. Pills did nothing. They got it to 128°, but I can't get it that far on its own.
The pain from Physio suddenly subsided at about the 10-11 week mark. Continued to 13 weeks. Physio could get it to 125°
I was/am so jealous of the others I saw with TKR's able to bend their knees past 90°in 2-3 weeks. While there I was, not able to do a full rotation on an exercise bike.
This is 8 months later and the knee still doesn't bend much, I'd say 95° before going into the "forcing it zone". The muscles won't pull it past that and the left leg is still uber swollen from knee to toe. even my right leg has picked up some of the swelling.
This site says more than 750,000 total knee replacements were done in the USA in 2017. Might be more now as Covid subsides.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment ... placement/
Everyone is going to have a different experience and I think mine is at the crappy end of the scale.
Finally got rowing again, but the lack of left knee bend has shortened my stroke from .88-.91m before to a recent high average of .82m now. In July it was about .74-.77m. Very slow progress. Todays row was 10.39Km in 50 mins.
Someone mentioned crunching noises??
Oh yes, lots of those. The knee is also still hot (forgot to mention that) and numb to the left of the incision.
I hope those having TKR's have better luck that I have.
Rich
Had a total left knee replacement just before Xmas 2021 and it did not want to bend afterwards. The physio guy said I was "guarding it", but the muscles had cut out when the pain kicked in and he was lifting me into the air trying to bend the knee - along with a serious amount of pain.
Even knocked off one of those pictures from the wall behind the bench.
Had to have an MUA (Manipulation under anesthesia) after 5 weeks as the knee would not get to 90°. Serious pain for an hour after that little operation. Pills did nothing. They got it to 128°, but I can't get it that far on its own.
The pain from Physio suddenly subsided at about the 10-11 week mark. Continued to 13 weeks. Physio could get it to 125°
I was/am so jealous of the others I saw with TKR's able to bend their knees past 90°in 2-3 weeks. While there I was, not able to do a full rotation on an exercise bike.
This is 8 months later and the knee still doesn't bend much, I'd say 95° before going into the "forcing it zone". The muscles won't pull it past that and the left leg is still uber swollen from knee to toe. even my right leg has picked up some of the swelling.
This site says more than 750,000 total knee replacements were done in the USA in 2017. Might be more now as Covid subsides.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment ... placement/
Everyone is going to have a different experience and I think mine is at the crappy end of the scale.
Finally got rowing again, but the lack of left knee bend has shortened my stroke from .88-.91m before to a recent high average of .82m now. In July it was about .74-.77m. Very slow progress. Todays row was 10.39Km in 50 mins.
Someone mentioned crunching noises??
Oh yes, lots of those. The knee is also still hot (forgot to mention that) and numb to the left of the incision.
I hope those having TKR's have better luck that I have.
Rich
Re: Knees
My TKR got delayed 5 months because CT scan said my knee was too big for available implants, needed a custom version. Happens about 2% of the time. Knee also required some straightening. I am 10 weeks out right now. PT started flexion almost immediately with 10 other exercises. Not exactly fun even with meds. Three things helped a lot. 1. Sit in kitchen chair, foot on floor, move leg under chair as far as possible, and simply sit for 30-45 seconds while watching TV. Straigthen leg, rest repeat 15x. 2. Made a loop on a gait belt, lay on back in bed with foot in loop and pull foot/heel back toward butt. Straigthen repeat 15x. 3. Bed height is high so I could face wall, put top of foot on bed and slowly move butt back toward heel. Least painful of the three. Over time flexion moved from 85 degrees to 130. Started walking ASAP in house and now do roughly 3 miles in neighborhood. Started rowing again during week 3 of PT. Like starting all over from step one. PT allowed short and easy session once day. So I did 500m max slowly with just movement, little actual effort. Swelling was a limitation. Surgeon said I will not hurt the knee, but do not be stupid, give tissue time to heal. Now swelling is really down and am doing 2500m with slow times and will work toward 5000m over next months then start building the effort. Knee aches somewhat and has that clicking sound. Biggest issue is stairs, particularly going down. Much easier now after TKR, but leg strength really dropped so rebuilding that confidence and strength is a priority. It will come with time. A family trip in November will require significant walking during day. That has become my focus to get through this.
Re: Knees
March 2020 I had simultaneous bilateral total knee replacements.
Used the bicycle turbo trainer after twenty five days to assist rehab. Very painful but needed to be done, also used the C2 rower to improve the flexion of the knees no rowing just sitting on the rower and sliding back and forth.
The three months post op rehab is painful and hard work but is important to avoid scarring and to regain flexibility.
Surgeon said quite rightly that recovery would take 18 to 24 months.
Fast forward two years and I’ve started rowing again to gain general fitness, no problems with the knees at all. Also completed the Ridelondon 100 miles ride in May this year.
Used the bicycle turbo trainer after twenty five days to assist rehab. Very painful but needed to be done, also used the C2 rower to improve the flexion of the knees no rowing just sitting on the rower and sliding back and forth.
The three months post op rehab is painful and hard work but is important to avoid scarring and to regain flexibility.
Surgeon said quite rightly that recovery would take 18 to 24 months.
Fast forward two years and I’ve started rowing again to gain general fitness, no problems with the knees at all. Also completed the Ridelondon 100 miles ride in May this year.
Re: Knees
While on vacation, I found walking up and down in hilly areas really showed up the poor condition of the leg muscles. I suppose they don't like having a tourniquet applied for an hour and a half during surgery. Kept at the hill walking and it has improved the strength and stability.
Doing walking on the treadmill at the gym, now I'm home, but it only goes up hill, not down - need both. Too hot and flat in Phoenix to go outside.
Just reached my target 1 hour row, will try to do that 3x per week.
I have found that doing a 1 minute sprint every 5 minutes, stresses the sinew and heats it up, so by the end of the row, the stroke length during the sprint is longer at the end than the start.
Hope and time
Doing walking on the treadmill at the gym, now I'm home, but it only goes up hill, not down - need both. Too hot and flat in Phoenix to go outside.
Just reached my target 1 hour row, will try to do that 3x per week.
I have found that doing a 1 minute sprint every 5 minutes, stresses the sinew and heats it up, so by the end of the row, the stroke length during the sprint is longer at the end than the start.
Hope and time
Re: Knees
Please, be nice to yourself. Recovery from injury takes huge amounts of time. As you said, your body took a real hit. Take it slow, start with a low dragsetting etc., and celebrate your improvements with respect to yesterday.