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pastmast95
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« on: February 04, 2018, 11:26:17 AM » |
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After several years of pain, I have to get both knee's replaced. Have any of you had your knee's replaced and has it effected your ability to ride your Valkyrie ? I was riding Thursday and was looking at how much knee bend I will need to get my legs up to shift and brake. Also will be holding up the bike be an issue ? I get the first one replaced the first of March and if I recover well I hope to have the other one done within four to six weeks! Got a vacation cruise and Grandson's wedding in August so hope to be in good shape. Thanks for any input!
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RDKLL
Member
Posts: 1222
VRCC #1231 VRCCDS #271
Mesa, AZ
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« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2018, 11:46:33 AM » |
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Mark, Mad6Gun just had that done, got them both done at once...I am sure he will check in
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Patrick
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Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2018, 12:01:56 PM » |
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All I know about this is that they don't like to replace both knees at the same time, but, 2 friends have had it done. They said they are glad they did and got all the pain over with at once. Some friends have refused to get the second done because of the pain during the first.
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Mike in AR
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« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2018, 12:59:03 PM » |
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I had my right knee replaced last Feb. The rehab is the most important thing. It took me until April or May for the rehab. There will be pain, but if you keep the rehab up, it eventually will subside. As for the bike, I have both a bike and a trike. Most of my riding is 2 up, on the trike, and I found a peg lowering kit which moves the pegs about an inch lower and an inch forward. That helped me a lot. My bike has floorboards on it, and I have a problem riding it because of the angle. I can ride it, but after an hour or two, my knee starts to ache a little, and with the floorboards, there is not too many ways to stretch the leg. I am going search around and see if I can locate another peg lowering kit, and probably get rid of the floorboards. Good luck with the surgery, and remember, the rehab is the most important thing.
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 Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. |
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solo1
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« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2018, 02:50:01 PM » |
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Mark, Mad6gun is busy as he's trying a new job, Uber driver. As of now he cannot kneel and hasn't ridden the Valk. He went through therapy and knows now that he won't go back to wrenching.
I'll ask him to ckeck in.
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MAD6Gun
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« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2018, 03:24:14 PM » |
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I had both of my knees done in Sept. I have found they still hurt and are a little stiff sometimes especially in the morning. Can't kneel yet but I'm sure that will come back in time. I did hop on the Valk when it was warmer and just rode it around the block. Felt good to get back on it. Hope to get back to riding when it gets warmer again.
I had both done because I just wanted to get it over with. The most painful part was the hospital staff making me get up and stand next to the bed 6 hours after surgery. That hurt like hell. But make sure you do the therapy. I can't express this enough. DO THE THERAPY. I kind of slacked off on my at home therapy so mine are still stiff but getting better. I went to the gun show with my brother and friend last Sunday. Walked around OK but towards the end of the day they were a little sore. I will not be going back to working as a auto tech again. Right now I'm working part time as a Uber driver until I can find something else to do.
I don't have anything to tell you how it will effect your ability to ride yet but I will later. But since riding was painful prior to surgery I don't think it could be worse.....
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Ken aka Oil Burner
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« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2018, 03:25:06 PM » |
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I've had surgery done to both knees, but not full replacements. My mother has had a full replacement, so I have spoken to her doctors at length on the subject.
As was already said, therapy is very important to recovery. There will be scar tissue, which will be stiff and hard if not appropriately taken care of. The other thing I'll mention is other health concerns. My mother is a diabetic, and also has degrading bones. Your bones need to be in good shape to allow proper attachment of the replacement knee joint. If that is not a concern, hopefully you'll be much improved once it's all over.
Best of luck with it.
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15324
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2018, 03:35:08 PM » |
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Part of the recovery time/pain depends on the method used to replace the knee. If it's the old method where they cut muscles and you have a foot long incision, then it's more time/pain. If you get it done with the new method, a 4-5" incision on the side and no muscles are cut, it's a huge difference in the length of rehab and pain level...same prostheses. When I had my hip replaced in 2016, we had to attend an exercise class twice a day while in the hospital. A little granny type was sitting next to me and had a 4" square patch on the side of her knee, so I asked what she had done; "had my damn knee replaced." "OK, looks like the new method." "Yup, last time was a real bxxxx" then proceeded to show me the long scar on the other leg.
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16703
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2018, 03:43:29 PM » |
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I can ride it, but after an hour or two, my knee starts to ache a little, and with the floorboards, there is not too many ways to stretch the leg. I am going search around and see if I can locate another peg lowering kit, and probably get rid of the floorboards.
Mike, Take a look at Mick O Pegs. Not cheap but worth every penny. Rams |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2018, 03:58:57 PM » |
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I've been lucky not to need this procedure, but a good friend of mine had both knees done two years ago.
Last year we rode to Canada and back.
He claims his recovery was good due to sticking too the PT.
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16703
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2018, 04:15:09 PM » |
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My doc told me four years ago to get a knee replacement. Told him when the pain got bad enough I would consider it. Getting Mick O Pegs helped with riding.
Rams
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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pastmast95
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« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2018, 10:08:34 PM » |
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Thanks for all the input, I don't have to work so plan to hit the therapy hard. I'll just have to Put the Valkyrie away like its winter!
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Crackerborn
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« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2018, 12:33:11 PM » |
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I was bone on bone for almost 10 years before the first knee replacement last Dec. The second knee will be the end of this month. There is a shot that freezes the nerves before the surgery that really helps on the recovery side, more than just less general during the surgery. Sadly I don't remember the name, I just remember that it is administered using an ultra-sound on the knee. The last knee they threw me out the next day after I proved I could walk with crutches. The reasoning is they want you out of the hospital so no infectious hangers-on from other patients invade your open incision. I spent 3 days on crutches, less than a week with a cane, and back to 80% work capacity in 3 weeks. One month to the day after the surgery, I started installing 1200 sf of hardwood flooring in a home. Physical Therapy is a must. Not because of the joint, it will be 100% the day after the surgery, but to get your swollen muscles back to normal flex. Very few surgeons cut the muscles any more but the muscles are still pushed out of the way to install the new joint. The PT actually caused more pain while they were measuring the range of movement than any other part of the process. Even so, I never had to take anything stronger than aspirin for pain.
That was my first experience with total knee replacement, the disclaimer is everyone is different and may not have the same good fortune I had on the first go around.
The new knee doesn't threaten to collapse while balancing an eight hundred pound motorcycle when you have an awkward (i.e. unexpected) stop.
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Life is about the ride, not the destination. 97 Valkyrie Tour 99 Valkyrie Interstate  |
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pastmast95
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« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2018, 03:00:10 PM » |
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Well one knee down and one to go! It's been 20 days since I got my new left knee and I'm using a cane as of today! Had my first doctor follow up Monday. I've got my next follow up in one month and I think we will pick a date to get my right one done. Been doing my therapy, and every day seems to get better. Looks like this will be my life until after summer. Got the Valkyrie gas full of stabilizer, last time I ran it was about a month ago. May have to find someone to ride It for me a couple of times this spring as I hate to just let it sit. Should put it on the trickle charger once in a while too! Any way hope to be up and riding in a couple of months!
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2018, 06:23:22 PM » |
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Glad to hear your first went well and good luck with the second.  |
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Danny McMillin
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« Reply #15 on: March 21, 2018, 07:22:44 PM » |
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Therapy is the key to knee/hip replacements. What ever they ask for, give them more. Your knees will thank you in the end!! Painful, but pain last minutes, knees last longer. Good luck on your second!!
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Alpha Dog
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« Reply #16 on: March 22, 2018, 06:15:07 AM » |
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My wife just had her right knee replaced Dec. 4 and was off work, ICU Nurse, for 3 months. I noticed her pain was rough for first couple of weeks ( I and my son took good care of her ) and progressively she got better. She did the therapy and then I got her and myself a new magnetic spinning bike. She works 12 hour shifts and started back two weeks ago. I asked her last night about any pain and she really has very little. As others have said above, do the therapy and probably more.
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