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HEAVYMETAL15
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jan 2007 14:44
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Has anyone had or know anyone who's had a total knee replacement that skates? Not a reconstruction or ACL but a replacement (just like the old people get!). I fugured my best chance at finding someone else who has is here!
If so, I'd love to know their story, timeline, etc...
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poodle boy
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jan 2007 19:16
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i am assuming that you have bad knees, so, here is an answer from a person who WILL, not MAYBE, need a knee replacement in 15-20 yrs. or so (i'm 50 1/2 old). if you have one you WILL NOT EVER BE ABLE TO SKATE TRANSITION AGAIN! EVER! PERIOD! think about it, they literally cut your leg in half, REMOVE your entire knee and hammer the upper and lower replacement pieces into the bone ends. yech!
the recovery time is 6 mos. to a year, and that's just to walk around normally again. so..... if you're 65-70 and you cannot stand the pain of your shot knees anymore, then go for it, otherwise, vicodin and beer is as good as it gets.
richard
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willieleon
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jan 2007 19:26
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HM,
post that up an bonelessone.com, and ask poindexter (Brett). He has had knee replacement recently, and has been skating again already.
All you wanted was a pepsi? BS. You have been begging for acceptance since the first day you posted
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barfly
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jan 2007 19:31
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metal ~ hang in there. this cannot be as bad as being paralyzed. perspective. call me so we can talk. i gots questions for you.
poodles ~ i guarantee metal will ride tranny again; it's in the blood.
oh piss bat, how i love thee
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Aquarium Bill
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2007 09:55 - Edited by: Aquarium Bill
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Poodle Boy.
...full edit... 
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HEAVYMETAL15
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2007 11:18 - Edited by: HEAVYMETAL15
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Wow, thanks for all of the response. I should have clarified that I have already had the replacement. I had it 3 months ago, and Poodle Boy you're exactly right on the procedure, and I was totally aware of it before my surgery. Although I'm not skating yet I have no regrets as I can now at least sleep at night, walk for more than 2 blocks, stand for more than 10 minutes, and straighten my leg now completely (it had been crooked by 23 degrees for about 2 years prior to my surgery) all of which I couldn't do before hand.
And through all of the different injuries I've had in my life, believe me, if anything I've learned that there is never a "Never" when it comes to what you'll do again. Every body is different, every surgery is different and every recovery is different. It's the same reason that Western Medicine is and always will be considered a "practice". Because there are no absolutes.
Obviously there was some hesitation before doing this as in all of the research I had done I have yet to come across someone who skates or even find someone under the age of 50 who's had it done (i'm 34) I did tell my docs and my Physical therapist that i intend to skate again after recovering and they didn't seem to think it was out of the question.
So- now i'm 3 months post opp. I'm doing okay but it's frozen at around 85 degrees. I'm doing PT twice a day and going to the gym ever other waking moment that I'm not working.
Poodle Boy - Good luck on the issues your having with your knee and maybe try and be a little bit more open minded when exploring your options.
Bill and Barf - Thanks for the support , As for now I'm not where I want to be and have alot more to go, but I'll get there.
Willielion - thank for the info, I'll track that guy down, I'd love to know how his whole ordeal went and how the skatings going
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tioem
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2007 15:57
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My brother-in-law (42) had his hip replaced about 3 weeks ago, and he was walking around the hospital 4 days later, and out shopping after a week. Gnarly stuff that joint replacement.
A day after surgery, with huge incisions, and stitches, and a catheter, he said he already felt better, and that his hip wasn't throbbing in pain.
Best of luck in your recovery Ms. Metal.
"tioem YOU are awseome!" - Steve Bacon
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HEAVYMETAL15
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2007 16:25
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Yeah, I definitly had a lot less pain pretty much directly after my surgery. Basically because they cut the arthritis out of your body!
Thanks for the well wishes.
Poodle Boy- another thing as far as your knee prognosis, I would think that whatever condition your knee is in now if your docs telling you you'd need a replacement in 15-20 years it seems you'd be able to work it now so you wouldn't need one. That's a really long span of time for a doc to say you would "definitly" need one. So I maybe wouldn't just kick back on your "vicodin and beer" plan quite yet...
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tioem
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2007 16:42
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beer+vicodin = good for the pain, bad for liver.
"tioem YOU are awseome!" - Steve Bacon
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poodle boy
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2007 17:16
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ilook, i can really appriciate all of the people who say "yes you CAN skate tranny again", but let's be realistic about this. if you have had the replacement surgery already, then no doubt your doc has given you the skinny on what you should/shouldn't do. of course you can still go out and skate transition if you wish, but god help you if you go and damage the bone ends where the replacements are anchored. if you can find even ONE surgeon who tell you that it's alright to take the pounding that running out or knee sliding produces, then please introduce me to him. i have had three knee operations and have yet to meet one who thinks that skating is a good idea with artificial knees. heavymetal,i hear what you're saying but i have advanced osteoarthritis of the left knee and somewhat less in my right. there is bone on bone contact and the first and last thing i feel every day is THAT i doubt if there are many folks on this board(outside of those of us who face knee replacement) who have researched it as much as me, and let me tell you, i've looked at ALL of the options. and vicodin and beer Was a JOKE, if anyone didn't get it.
Tthe power of positive thought is wonderful and effective, but the reality of being an older skater is that someday, many of us will face life without skating. NEGATIVE? no, it's not. there are many ways to get the rush, and skating is only one of them and to all of you who are blessed with good knees, take care of them.
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Ganouche
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2007 19:44
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I know someone that had knee replacement and he was out for about 9 months and still skates everything. It doesn't sound too good, but you could certainly come back from it.
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HEAVYMETAL15
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2007 23:01
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Poodle, my docs name is Dr. Gorab. He's in Orange. When I spoke to him about skateboarding he (and assistant, and the 3 different PT's i've gone to) have said that the main risk I run w/ knee sliding is if I somehow severly hyperextend it I run the risk of snapping my patella. As for the replacement itself, its not going anywhere.
It's probubly oneof the strongest parts of my body now.
The big issue now is getting it to bend. I'm certainly not going to skate if it can't even bend 90 degrees. And not everyone who has a replacemnt has the issue of a frozen knee.
od
The part of them cutting your bone and anchoring a metal post into it kind of tripped me out at first too, but it really wasn't that big of a deal. Believe me, I've already run a few "unwilling" test on it, it's not going anywhere.
i have had three knee operations and have yet to meet one who thinks that skating is a good idea with artificial knees
Believe me, in all of the docs I'v met in my life (and unfortunalty it's been quite a few) I can't recall any that think skating is a "good" idea, even for a person who has no injuries.
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msk
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2007 08:08
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My mom had both knees replaced about 2 years ago (in her late 60s). Each one took about 6 months to get back to normal motion (they did one at a time, so the total time was about a year).
i have had three knee operations and have yet to meet one who thinks that skating is a good idea with artificial knees
The usual response from the majority of doctors is to be very conservative. I've run across quite a few who told me "you'll never ****" until I found one who said "here's what you have to do if you want to ****" The surgeon I've been dealing with for the last year and half is a serious mountain biker, which has been a major plus, since he doesn't have that conservative "you'll never" attitude that many others do...
"Life is short, but your boards don't have to be..."
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Machinesound
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2007 08:27
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Would it make sense to wear a knee brace (or braces) as insurance? I know they are not cheap, but I would think any reinforcement helps.
Last time I saw Lester Kasai skate, the knee braces were part of his regular safety get up.
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willieleon
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2007 17:43
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Just to follow up- I talked with the guy here who had knee replacement today, just to confirm that he did indeed have knee replacement, and not just some other knee surgury. Total knee replacement. We were skating transition at the time. He said some days are better than others, and some things he can't do as well, but he is still skating.
All you wanted was a pepsi? BS. You have been begging for acceptance since the first day you posted
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brete
Member
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2007 08:43
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Brete here, Willie told me about this thread. I am skating, my doctor refers to skating as "certain regular activity" just to cover his ass for the lawyer types. There are two types of artificial knees. the older way is to cut the end off the leg bones and hammer steel rods into your legs bones. This weakens the bone around the rods. I worked hard at weights and exercise bike for 4 years to avoid that type of replacement. Over the last part of 2005 and the first half of 2006 it seem like I was always hurt and trying to rehab my knee. It got to the point that limping for so long was screwing up my back. I talked to the surgeon and he let me know that there was a newer type of knee out that didn't require the rods and didn't compromise bone intergrity. The newer one has a cap that they glue around the upper leg bone (forgot which one). On the femur they cut off the top and make a inverted pyramid shape cut in the top of the femur where they glue the bottom of the artificial knee in. This type of knee doesn't weaken your leg bones. HM, i hope you got that type of knee if so you're good, but learn to butt slide like the kids.
I am 5 months out. My recovery has been helped by the fact that I really worked the exercise bike and weights before surgery (and was extra careful about skating). Because the muscles were in decent shape before surgery they bounced back a lot faster. My stregth and flexibility are almost back to being like the really good periods before surgery. Four wheels down I am totally good. Entering a big slalom race down here this weekend. Fine motor control is still an issue. Manuals, grinds, ollies and dropping in are still issues because of the delicate balance of shifting wieght between each leg. It's amazing how hard a simple little frontside grind is right after this surgery. But it is getting better. I have found out the best thing about a fake knee is everyone is so shocked you're actually skating that they don't notice you suck.
Good luck HM.
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HEAVYMETAL15
Member
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2007 11:23
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Brete and Willieleon- Thanks for following up on this. I'm still not skating yet, but I've been doing tons of therapy and have made alot of progress over the last month or so. I saw my doc for my 3 month shortly after this thread started, and much to my surprise didn't want to do the manipulation then. I was totally releaved!
I did have the procedure you're talking about, where it's still anchored into both the femur and tibea, but it's glued also. I have what is called a "platform rotating knee". It's amazing how many different models there are. I was joking with my PT this morning about I'm going to start a TV show called "Pimp my knee"..
Even though I'm not rolling yet, it feels so solid already that I know once I get more range of motion back I'll be skating again. I'll have to figure the butt slide thing out, I was pretty programmed to go to my knees before. I've been doing yoga and pilates so hopefully once I'm back and rolling it will have paid off for balance. I can see how that will be an issue.
I have found out the best thing about a fake knee is everyone is so shocked you're actually skating that they don't notice you suck.
Too funny! I can now have an excuse to suck, perfect! I've already had a handful of injuries/surgeries, and I pretty much passed the point of caring how anyone thought I skated longg ago. I just need to get back to having fun sessions just rolling and being with friends, then my life will totally be back to normal!
Thanks again!
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brete
Member
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2007 12:41
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My biggest complaint is the urethane shock absorber must be 101 durometer and I think a 97 would be more comfortable.
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HEAVYMETAL15
Member
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2007 12:55
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My biggest complaint is the urethane shock absorber must be 101 durometer and I think a 97 would be more comfortable
Ha Ha! Yeah I tried to get mine in green and my doc wasn't having it...
Speaking of the shock absorber my doc told be that in around 5 years or so they will be able to implant a chip that will let you know exactly how much it has worn down and where, long before you start feeling the effects of it starting to give out. I was completely amazed by this. It'll be like a human check engine light!!
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tioem
Member
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2007 09:58
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If you two aren't already involved, you should hook up, and make robot babies;-)
"tioem YOU are awseome!" - Steve Bacon
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brete
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2008 11:25
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HEAVYMETAL15, how you doing? Was over here in the med section looking for Liz's thread and remembered this one. Just wondered how that fake knee was treating you?
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HEAVYMETAL15
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2008 13:10
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Hey Brete, i started cruising around again 3/17/07 (about 6 months after surgery) I've been skating regularly again (3-5 days a week) for pretty much the last 4 months. I'm doing everything I wa before and even starting to learn new some new stuff!
Definitly doing better than I thought might have been the case. It's still stiff and i can't knee slide, but I actually feel more solid skating now than I ever did...
How's yours been?
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Arab169
Member
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2008 13:52
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Glad to hear your doing good!!
I was looking into getting a fake belly, one of those smaller more stealth type ones so I could skate better and learn new tricks, heck I'd be happy to just learn old tricks that I cant do because of my disability
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cbfmtl
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2008 06:36
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It's great to hear that the replacement knees are working out for you guys. Before my tibal platau reconstruction the Dr. said I would need a knee replacement in the near future. Hopefully this will last for a couple of years before I need to become bionic too.
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brete
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2008 10:27
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Doing pretty good except for a little setback I had at the end of last Summer. Pulled a hamstring ollieing a little pyramid and ended up almost at square one skatewise two months later. I am one of those people that took some time off from skating (93-02) so my skill levels before the surgery were real up and down depending on how long I got to skate before I screwed the knee up again. Bulk strengthwise I am as strong as I have been in a decade, still have some issues with balance between the two legs, and if it gets down around 40 degrees my whole knee goes numb. Outside of that real good.
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ConcentrationCampEhrhardt
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2008 11:46
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Sorry to lurk chime in, but....
Did all of the aforementioned knee injuries result from skateboarding exclusively?
In other words, are we all doomed?
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Aquarium Bill
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2008 12:08
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- Look, we are all doomed anyway. It's comin, so have fun, dood.
Heavymetal bent that thing as a kid.
Then later tried to rip herself in half.
Somehow managed to walk again after that snowy insanity,
then got the skating going again on the bent ass knee,
then had the whole thing cut out and replaced,
Now it's all strait and plumb, but it wont bend for a knee slide, so good so Heavymetal just lands everything now.
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brete
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2008 12:48 - Edited by: brete
Reply
Did all of the aforementioned knee injuries result from skateboarding exclusively?
The big one on my knee was playing baseball in my 40s.
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HEAVYMETAL15
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2008 15:24
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My original injury was the result of jumping off of the side of a barn when I was 7.
There were a couple of slams skating that definitly added a nail or 2 to the coffin, but all of the major damage was done before.
As Bill so accurately described in his condensed timeline, there were a couple more factors thrown in here and there that may have played a part... But we will never know for sure, and it doesn't even matter because practically everything is rebuildable
Did all of the aforementioned knee injuries result from skateboarding exclusively?
In other words, are we all doomed?
Skateboarding or not, yes, we are all facing impending doom. May as well get your jollies while you can!!
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