Can you row to rehab knee replacement

[mikeinnj22]

My friend is having both knees replaced in Feb. She is 60 and in good shape, thin build. Can she use my Concept 11 model B or one of the newer models to help in her Rehab. Anyone have any experience in this area?

[snelson]

I'm no doctor but after ACL reconstruction 10 years ago I (literaly) hopped on a model B for rehab - been rowing ever since.

[chgoss]

No experience with it personally, but it sounds reasonable. Rowing is very low impact on the knee's, and has the added benefit of being a good quad strength builder.
My only suggestion, make sure that the shins dont go past vertical (over compressing at the catch).
pass along good wishes!

[Lupini]

I'm hoping you can cause I'm probably going to need a knee replacement eventually. After two knee surgeries in my 20s and then an incident with a sheep my knee has never been right. I gave up the Sx idea after a surgeon wanted to cut off my tibia and put a wedge in it......... Galloping horses is what kept the knee tight and fit. I dont live or work near a thoroughbred racetrack anymore so got a rowing machine. You need to keep quads AND hamstrings fit to keep a knee strong and stable. That's just what the rowing machine does and I'm much more comfortable and mobile. Snowboarding again!

[ausrwr]

You definitely can. I'd suggest cycling on an indoor bike first, to start getting the range of motion, then work onto the erg. As previously suggested, there's a good amount of evidence to suggest that short-range erging (1/2 slide to start with) is the way to go, then as ROM increases, increase the compression.

I'm no physio or ortho, but I think the shorter slide erging will act to activate the VMO (inner quad) which tends to waste in knee replacement patients - though this is based on a small sample of 60-ish males I know who've had it done.

As ever, though, check with your surgeon and doc. It's not a liability issue at all, it's pure and simply not wanting to advise you to do something that may be contra-indicated in your case.

[Big Louie]

Hi, Yes you certainly can. I have. There's a reply I posted to a similar enquiry on 24 Aug 2010 but since then I have carried on rowing (with a bit of running and cycling) and a few PBs (18m.26s for 5K, 82m.29s. for a half marathon amongst others). Keep working at it, Good luck, Big Louie.

[Billius_53]

What is the approximate angle of flexion that you can achieve measured between the hamstrings and calve?

[Rvanvoris]

Yes you can use the ERG to rehab knees. I had bilateral knee replacement las t May and by the end of July I was on an ERG and back to the water in Oct, less than 6 months post surgery. Just listen to your body and don't even pretend you are training for Head of the Charles (yet)

[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. probably will need to wait 4-6 months until it is good to train hard, i.e. intervals, etc. this 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 your friend will be amazed at how good she will feel. the rower lets joint replacement patients potentially reach tremendous fitness levels in a safe, sustainable manner: ideal in many ways. good luck. wade smith.