My doctor has just informed me that I need a total knee replacement.He can't give me any information on how this is going to affect my riding. I'm 52, fairly active (I have 4 horses, an 8 year old son and a non-horsey husband!!), don't "cowboy", basically just trail ride. Does anyone out there have any experience or know of anyone that has gone through this? Do I give up on riding and learn how to drive? Thanks.

I suggest that you find a doctor in sports medicine to work with your surgeon.  He/she should be able to evaluate the risks so that you have a better understanding of your choices.

That said, I have a friend (Mr SuperCowboy himself! LOL) who is about our age (yep, I'm in your ballpark) who has a large cutting horse operation, who has had a knee and shoulder replaced, a finger joint, several lumbar vertebrae fused, and too many breaks and tears for me to count.  While he no longer works the green horses, he hops right on his proven horses and takes off.

I have had an elbow replaced, and plates, screws, and pins, put in my ankle and tib/fib and am currently working on nerve blocking in my lumbar spine.

My thoughts are that it up to each person the risks they want to take, that at this point in my life I am not looking for that fiesty wild ride, but for something that is fun, reliable, and as safe as you can get in a horse.  I plan on riding for as long as I have the energy and the crane to lift me into the saddle.

No personal experience, but here's an article.

http://www.myhorse.com/health/rider/riding_after_joint_replacement.aspx#top

Great article Spotted!!!!!  Thanks for providing all the info and encouragement it gives!

Good luck with your Total Knee Replacement, when are you having it done?

My dad, who's 81(!), no really, he is, just had his knee replaced in January.  He is totally recovered already.  I bet if he rode horses, he'd be able to be back on one by now.  This is the second time he's had his knee replaced.  I'm not sure if it was the same one or not, I don't think so.  He was in a great deal of pain (sorry!) for about 2 weeks (maybe less) after the surgery.  My advice to you is to make sure you do all of the physical therapy after you have it done.  My dad was able to drive about 3 weeks (I think) after the surgery.  So, if he can heal so well at 81, I'm sure you will do much better!

One of the members of my drill team is going to have a knee replacement very soon. He had laproscopic (I sure hope that's the right term) on the other not too long ago. He had to stop even driving his horse for a bit, but is allowed to go back to it if he takes it slow and is careful. He said once he gets the other knee surgery, he can't drive for four months. Not much help, I know, but that's all I can give you, no experience here (and hopefully never of course). Good luck with your surgery, you'll be in my prayers!

Jessi

Erm, Jessi... I think you mean arthroscopic (had some last year)... laparoscopic would be in the abdomen.

I need both of my knees replaced, but they can't do it because of my age.  I guess the artificial joint has a limited lifespan, and each time they have to redo it there's less bone to screw it into, so they don't want to start the cycle for another 20 years or so.  In the meantime, I just "deal with it."

Best of luck, and I'll definitely be watching this thread to see how it goes!

LOL Thanks, I knew I probably had the wrong word, just didn't seem right ;)

Jessi

Thanks for everyone's information. My surgery is scheduled for the 4th of April. I have picked a great sports medicine doctor who has told me he has no problem with me riding again, I just can't fall off!!! I am looking at 6 weeks recovery time and at least 2 months before any saddle time. Anyone live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and want to exercise some horses? They are a little rough right now, I havn't been able to do any riding because of the knee.

I'm on the Western Shore, sorry!  But, my mom has had both of her knees replaced.  They did them 6 months apart.  And, they make you walk the day after.  Wooo Wee!! The road to recovery is short, but hard, yet so rewarding.  The pain she was in before was amazing and the physical therapy demanding, but she's so happy she had them done as the improvement is immense.

 

Best of luck and I hope you return to the saddle soon!

Good luck w/the surgery!  Try checking in w/the over 50 folks, there may be someone on that forum who's been through it and can talk about recovery, PT, etc.

Mary 

Come to think, John Lyons had both (I think) knees done last year.  There was an extensive writeup in one of the issues of his magazine.  I'm not at home right now, and won't be until Saturday, but when I get there I can track it down if you like.

Hi everyone. I've had the surgery and now am back home. Boy, they do get you moving quickly!!. Surgery at 10am and into my room by 2pm. Sleeping wouldn't be too bad if they didn't keep wanting blood pressure, temps and blood samples.  Out of bed at 6am Saturday morning and walking by 8 (with a walker). First real PT session was at 1pm on Saturday. I was released on Sunday around 3pm. I've had 2 PT sessions at an outpatient clinic and have a series of stretches that I have to do twice a day. Husband has been doing fine as long as all he has to do is throw feed and check water. Can't wait for the farrier to show up this Saturday!! I'll keep you posted if any of you are interested. Thanks for your concern and helpfulness.  DJS

Get well soon!  I bet your horsies are missing you.