Riding your Emtb after either part or full knee replacement

T

The undecided

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Hi everyone

I’m 63 and I have osteoarthritis in both knees and bought my emtb last summer to put the fun back into riding just like so many “mature” riders on these forums.
I was recommended partial knee replacement by a consultant many months ago but worry if I’ll ever be able to pedal a bike like I do now if I get surgery.Fwiw I can still spin really fast sitting but stand up pedalling on techy uphill sections can be awkward as well as painful.
I wonder how you good people are coping post surgery and what difficulties you are faced with-riding wise.
 
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I had both knees replaced at age 78 - waited too long to do so. I was back on the bike after 6 weeks in each case and better than beforehand by 3 months. I could again stand to pedal without “loose headset” knees. Even my Pickleball game got better 🤣.

Don’t put it off, get your life back. It’s a straight forward surgery, but choose a surgeon who does lots of them.
 
levity said:
I had both knees replaced at age 78 - waited too long to do so. I was back on the bike after 6 weeks in each case and better than beforehand by 3 months. I could again stand to pedal without “loose headset” knees. Even my Pickleball game got better 🤣.

Don’t put it off, get your life back. It’s a straight forward surgery, but choose a surgeon who does lots of them.
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Thank you so much for replying to my query.Fantastic to hear you’re still riding at your “tender” years and based on your experience could be THE motivation to get mine done sooner rather than later.
The major fly in the ointment with me getting them done is I had a brain bleed stroke 7 years ago and I am really worried about having to maybe take blood thinners after any surgery.
I was really lucky my stroke happened in bed while sleeping-I was totally unaware I’d had one until I wakened up for work and my right arm was dead.Miraculously I made a full recovery within a few months and so far have been able to carry on enjoying life despite my knee issues.
 
The undecided said:
Hi everyone

I’m 63 and I have osteoarthritis in both knees and bought my emtb last summer to put the fun back into riding just like so many “mature” riders on these forums.
I was recommended partial knee replacement by a consultant many months ago but worry if I’ll ever be able to pedal a bike like I do now if I get surgery.Fwiw I can still spin really fast sitting but stand up pedalling on techy uphill sections can be awkward as well as painful.
I wonder how you good people are coping post surgery and what difficulties you are faced with-riding wise.
Click to expand...

Bloody hell I thought your knees were knackered……fwiw I’d leave surgery to the absolute dire need necessity and enjoy what you do for as long as possible. TTM (to the max )
By the way I’m 68 so no spring chicken either
 
The EMF said:
Bloody hell I thought your knees were knackered……fwiw I’d leave surgery to the absolute dire need necessity and enjoy what you do for as long as possible. TTM (to the max )
By the way I’m 68 so no spring chicken either
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You echo my thoughts entirely in that respect my friend.
Somethings gonna get us one day….
SOON !!!!
 
The EMF said:
... fwiw I’d leave surgery to the absolute dire need necessity ...
Click to expand...

This ^^^. Because surgery can go wrong and if it does may end up in a surgery loop. In general the older you are the higher the risk of being fubared. So if the knee more or less works then work around it.
 
@The undecided I needed elbow surgery and asked for a local anaesthetic. Surgeon said no because I would be out for too long. He asked why I didn't want a general. I said that I had read that old people don't do too well after a general (I'm 74). He replied that in his considerable experience, people that don't do too well after a general anaesthetic usually had something wrong with them to start with! I was OK in that respect and I survived the operation without ill effects. But I can completely understand why anyone with pre-existing conditions would be wary.

A full discussion with your surgeon and your GP would be well advised. Consider what you can do in advance to prepare. Getting fitter and losing weight tend to be the usual recommendations, both of which will be made easier by riding your emtb as much as possible. :) Maybe take six months and think again? :love:

PS: The reason I have an emtb is because I have arthritis in both knees and in late 2018, I was on the point of stopping riding altogether :eek: . Then I tested an emtb! :love:
 
The undecided said:
Thank you so much for replying to my query.Fantastic to hear you’re still riding at your “tender” years and based on your experience could be THE motivation to get mine done sooner rather than later.
The major fly in the ointment with me getting them done is I had a brain bleed stroke 7 years ago and I am really worried about having to maybe take blood thinners after any surgery.
I was really lucky my stroke happened in bed while sleeping-I was totally unaware I’d had one until I wakened up for work and my right arm was dead.Miraculously I made a full recovery within a few months and so far have been able to carry on enjoying life despite my knee issues.
Click to expand...
73, knee and on 2nd hip; had a very minor heart attack 7 yrs ago and on blood thinners. All good, I don't do jumps and I left quite a bit of blood on the trail in NW AR single track trail last month. Now,:rolleyes: I own elbow, knee, hip and shin pads.
Fun stuff
 
The undecided said:
Hi everyone

I’m 63 and I have osteoarthritis in both knees and bought my emtb last summer to put the fun back into riding just like so many “mature” riders on these forums.
I was recommended partial knee replacement by a consultant many months ago but worry if I’ll ever be able to pedal a bike like I do now if I get surgery.Fwiw I can still spin really fast sitting but stand up pedalling on techy uphill sections can be awkward as well as painful.
I wonder how you good people are coping post surgery and what difficulties you are faced with-riding wise.
Click to expand...
I had a partial on my right knee in 2021, when I was 58..
I was riding flat trails after 6 weeks.
I now ride the same trails as I was doing way before the surgery and keep up with my younger riding buddies.
I ride BPW, CwmCarn,FOD etc
 
I had a hip surgery at 67 (I’m now 69), I couldn’t walk long distances, biking was becoming more and more difficult, no standing on the pedals anymore. The operation was true miracle in my case, back to riding and fun, way better than before. I agree with prior comments on preparing well and post-op physiotherapy for a good 6 monnths (I would say the most important part of the procedure). I was back on the stationary bike after 6 weeks and real bike after 3 months. Could have done it sooner, I just didn’t want to jeopardize anything and I’m glad I waited. 👍
 
Bought a Gary Fisher mtb in San Francisco in 1984.
I am 76 now, was 63 & 66 when both knees were replaced ( 15 years or so after both ACLs were replaced after skiing too much plus alpine climbing). Carried on with std .mtb. until just after 70 and then succumbed to e-mtb.I t was like somebody had turned my internal body clock back 30 years.

Just go for it. But IMO, only do one knee at a time. They will probably take 5-6 months to be like they were 10/15 years before, but you will get there provided you keep doing your physio exercises until full mobility is restored.
 
The undecided said:
Hi everyone

I’m 63 and I have osteoarthritis in both knees and bought my emtb last summer to put the fun back into riding just like so many “mature” riders on these forums.
I was recommended partial knee replacement by a consultant many months ago but worry if I’ll ever be able to pedal a bike like I do now if I get surgery.Fwiw I can still spin really fast sitting but stand up pedalling on techy uphill sections can be awkward as well as painful.
I wonder how you good people are coping post surgery and what difficulties you are faced with-riding wise.
Click to expand...
I would advise to have a full replacement rather than partial .I had my knee replaced 2 years ago and although I have the accasional minor ache there is nowhere near the pain and bend restriction(flexion) . Function improves for about 18 months after surgery. I researched the surgeon thoroughly ----there is an NHS that will list how many relacements are done in a year. Some joints are not available on the NHS but there is a National Register of prosthetics you can check.. Having both knees done at the same time sounds challenging so think about having one 6-9 months after the other. Do as much muscle strenghening as you can starting yesterday
 
Had a full replacement about two years ago at 64 via epidural and sedation. Took about four months off the bike but I was quickly back doing the same stuff as before - and the same tumbles, so no wisdom of age as yet. No mysteries post op - if you engage with the rehab you'll be fine. I've got very close to full flexion range.
 
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riddlemethis said:
Had a full replacement about two years ago at 64 via epidural and sedation. Took about four months off the bike but I was quickly back doing the same stuff as before - and the same tumbles, so no wisdom of age as yet. No mysteries post op - if you engage with the rehab you'll be fine. I've got very close to full flexion range.
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"via epidural and sedation" Chapeau!!! I was offered it and wimped out and had the full anaesthesia.Epidural is far safer
 
The undecided said:
Hi everyone

I’m 63 and I have osteoarthritis in both knees and bought my emtb last summer to put the fun back into riding just like so many “mature” riders on these forums.
I was recommended partial knee replacement by a consultant many months ago but worry if I’ll ever be able to pedal a bike like I do now if I get surgery.Fwiw I can still spin really fast sitting but stand up pedalling on techy uphill sections can be awkward as well as painful.
I wonder how you good people are coping post surgery and what difficulties you are faced with-riding wise.
Click to expand...
I was back on my bike post full knee replacement in 4 weeks. Absolutely no pain and after a few weeks of apprehension, I was riding just as good as before. I recommend Fox D30 knee/shin pads forevermore to protect your prosthetic. I had my surgery done with the help of the Mako Robot insuring a 100% perfect outcome. Even good surgeons can be off as much as 10-20% in alignment. Why take a chance? My prosthetic is ceramic, will not set off sensors in airports, and will last forever. The doc said, "The more you use it, the longer it will last"! Don't put it off, do it now!
 
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