Do any of you older hikers hike with a knee replacement and is that a problem? I was going
to do another section this year, but in coditioning
found the arthritis in my left knee was too painfull
to hike, so I might need to get a knee replacement.
Up to now I have been able to get by with supports
and vitamin I, but no longer.
_Dman_ I know of a hiker who had a knee replacement and did a section hike in southern Maine after his replacement. He is a very avid cyclist and the knee does not seem to be a problem. There would be some PT after the replacement. You may need to wait till next year to put the pack on but I would imagine the future looks good. In selecting a surgeon it might be a good idea to discuss your goals for the future. It could affect the surgical proceedure itself and what PT the surgeon elects for you. It is very important to do your homework in selecting a surgeon and PT provider!!! Good Luck.
_Steady On_ I had both knees replced after my hike in 2004. My doctor was wonderful and knew I wanted to get a lot more mileage out of the knees in hiking. I was only in the hospital for 4 days, did PT on my own and was back at work with a walker in tow on Monday of the following week.I only missed 4 days of work and I work at an outdoor school for behaviorally challenged teens. The walking at work helped my knees heal quckly along with my doctor being positive about my wishes of working so soon. I do not have any problems with my knees now. I can hike and crry a full pack. If you want to talk more email me.
_shufflebum_ Check out this site: www.trailjournals.com/johnnymud He had his right knee replaced and did the trail in 2007.
_TC_ I had my left knee replaced last June 5th. Walked full weight the next day, full flight of stairs the next, home the following afternoon. I RELIGOUSLY used the mechanical "knee bendy thingy" 6-8 hours a day for the first two weeks and did physical theropy for two weeks, 3 times a week. 6 weeks after my surgery, I made it to 13,700ish on Mt Sherman in Colorado. Turned around then, not because I was haveing trouble, but didn't know how it would act that far walking down hill.. I had no issues. Been backpacking several time 2-3 day trips with no issues. My experience is VERY positive for knee replacement.. Good luck.
_Ken_ Sorry about hitting the wrong button. I'm now 67 and have two very bad knees. My knee doctor has recommended replacement of both knees. In 2005 I finished a 4 year section hike of the AT and have gotten to Harper's Ferry doing several hundred miles each summer along with a trip to the Whites each summer with my wife. But I've been able to postpone the knee replacements and still do a fair amount of hiking without a great deal of pain through a combination of knee exercies and shots every 6 months (I use the efflexia shots which have really cut down on the pain). I have really been impressed with the shots and the relief of pain they have given me. They replace the fluid that has dried up in arthritic knees. Just another suggestion that you might look into.
Pastor John from Georgia
_pastor john_ What caused the bad knees in the previous posts? I have bone spurs and was told there is no surgical option. I am hoping there is an option to get me hiking again.
Thanks.
_Dances with Wolfie_ Usually with knee replacements the problem is arthritis in the joint, sometimes caused by overuse/abuse. A lot of AT hikers end up with bad knees from carrying too much weight up and down steep rocky slopes.
My husband had a knee replacement,obviously a different kind than Ken had. He was on a walker for a month, then began regular walking. In six months he was on the trail (PCT). Unfortunately, problems with his other knee (torn meniscus) took us off the trail a month later. About a year later, his new knee began causing serious problems. He can do very short hikes, but is in a lot of pain after 3-4 miles. The doctors have no answers as to why it went bad or how they can fix it besides tearing out the joint and starting over.
_Ginny_