Knee Replacements

[Raymondhill]

Hi

I was interested in contacting other rowers who have had a total knee replacement. I am 47 and contemplating one because of the condition of my knee. I have already had two ACL replacements and two clean outs in the same knee. I am a very competitive rower having won the nationals several times, and am quite concerned about being able to train and compete after my knee replacement. I am thinking of having it done at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC (Dr. Altchek), which is ranked as one of the best orthopedic hospitals in the country and has a very high procedure volume.

Can any one advise on the following
1. Experience with a total knee replacement and how it has impacted their ability to be a competitive rower
2. Knee flexion to get fully to the catch (I understand 130 to 135 degrees is common after total knee replacement
3. Ideally any experience with the Hospital for Special Surgery in knee replacements
4. Any experience with Exactech artificial knees, which is what they recommend
5. Any tips on recovery

Thanks!

[Montanaandy]

Hey Raymondhill:

I have had my hip resurfaced but not a knee replacement so things are a bit different although it sounds like you have the correct approach. The best thing that you can do IMHO is find a surgeon that has performed this surgery on a regular basis and has at least 500 operations (preferably 1000+) under his or her belt. There is no substitute for experience. I read an article recently that there was a problem with the Stryker total knee or at least a conflict between one of the surgeons that had installed thousands of them and the Company. Not familiar with Exatech but not familiar with artificial knees. Best of luck. Mpontanaandy

[mccartjt]

Hi Raymon


Before giving up on your existing knee, I'd check out http://www.regenexx.com . They have a novel approach of maybe repairing your knee with your own stem cells. I am not going to guarantee success, that depends on a lot of factors, however I injured my L5/S1 disc about a year ago, and got help from them, and I am now almost ready to get back on to my C2/Erg. When you get a knee replacement there's no going back post surgery. I do know of someone who consulted them and then still went ahead and got two replacement knees. Post his surgery, he'd wished he'd had tried the Regenexx procedure first. I know I am much improved because of their expertise.

What ever you do, good luck to you in your quest for a rebuilt knee.

JM

[Big Louie]

Hi Raymondhill, I had a total knee replacement on June 15 last year, really painful for a few weeks after but I resumed training in August, cross trainer, rowing and cycling steadily and easily to start with, increasing time and effort up to Christmas, doing intervals on the rower from December. In the early months of this year I was getting back to the sort of times I had been doing before.The surgeon expected flexion of about 140 degrees and I think that I can achieve that but that is mechanically about as far as it will go. I can get to about 6" to 8" from the catch but I never did get much closer than that anyway. To recover I have done quite a lot of leg press, leg extension and hamstring curls building up steadily, with a fair bit of rowing, some cycling and a bit of running .I am wondering how long my other knee will last but would have no hesitation in getting it done so that it will be as strong as my new knee. Regards B.L.

[Billius_53]

What is the approximate angle of flexion that you can achieve measured between the hamstrings and calve? Is the replalcement joint in the knee limited to 140o flexion?

[Rvanvoris]

I had bi-lateral knee replacement in May of last year. Both knees were on their way out and for a varity of reasons I went ahead and had them done together. I am 58 and although I took up rowing later in life it has become very important to me.
About two months post surgery, during which time I had been working hard at the rehab and in particular range of motion, I got back in my scull and was horrified to realize I could no longer row. I simply could not flex my knees enough to get to the catch, I felt like I could not even come close. Soon after that I got on an ERG and found I could row on it after a fashion so I took the plunge and bought an ERG and started to work on that . Little by slow I was able to increase the flex in the knee to about 120 degree. After working for an aditional 2 months on the ERG I tried the scull again and I was able to row albeit with a somewhat shorened stroke. What a joy and relief that was! I found it helped when I could adjust my rigging, I raised my seat by 8mm and raised and flattened out by a degree or two my foot streachers . I also modified my stroke somewhat by adding more layback at the finish I was able to extend the length of the blade's travel through the water which somewhat compesated for the shortness at the catch. As of last week I was able now to row 10k peices on the water comfortably. I will not race again but truth be told I was never very fast to begin with. But I can row and enjoy it like never before because I no longer take the pleasures of rowing for granted.

[wsmith]

i am an orthopedic surgeon with a hip replacement. rower is good for hip and knee surgery but for knee should wait until swelling is down and start with easy, smooth rowing to gain motion and flexibility (prolonged knee inflammation can lead to decreased long term motion). probably will need to wait 4-6 months until it is good to train hard, i.e. intervals, etc. getting as full motion as needed for a complete catch may be difficult and take 9-12 months. but the motion and training from early on will be good for you and good for your knee. how things will end up will depend on previous training history, age and how long and severe the disablement was from the knee arthritis. good idea to discuss with the surgeon. nowadays, high levels of exercise are usually encouraged. probably you will be amazed at how good things will feel. the rower lets joint replacement patients potentially reach tremendous fitness levels in a safe, sustainable manner: ideal in many ways. you may not achieve previous speed levels due to some decrease in motion, but won't it feel nice to train hard without the joint pain, even if it is not perfect? hss is a good choice with a proven track record of excellence in joint replacement surgery. the type of knee is not a important as everyone makes out. many surgeons have financial interests and you should ask: "why this particular company?" what is important is that the particular knee design is not brand new, has a proven track record and the surgeon does at least 100"ish" such surgeries per year. good luck. wade smith md

[bikertom]

This has been very helpful, thanks, esp to WS for the reminder not to get obsessive about the replacement part and to be patient. My R knee has deteriorated to the extent that I can barely get into the scull, though i can then row after a fashion. It would indeed be nice to row with less pain.

[wsmith]

i hope you are rowing more comfortably now.