Knee Replacement and Thru-Hiking
Has anyone ever thru-hiked with a total knee replacement? Can it be done? Thanks.
I'll let you know in the next year or two. Getting both of mine done in Nov. I hope. Gonna give it my best shot after that. I too would like to know if anybody out there right now has done it.Originally Posted by Special K
"Hiking is as close to God as you can get without going to Church." - BobbyJo Sargent aka milkman Sometimes it's nice to take a long walk in THE FOG.
I'd be interested in finding out how it goes also for you guys. Best of luck!
I can't comment on knee replacement ref Thru hiking but can provide some anecdotal comments. My mother had her first total knee replacement done about 15 years ago on her left knee at the age of about 65. She was and still is incredibly physically active....long distance running, biking, long day hikes in the mountains, etc...
Her comments following the knee replacement were along the lines of " I wish I had done this earlier". Essentially she told me that once the replacement was done it was if she was in her 20's again, at least at the knee!
She has since had her right knee done, about 7 years ago, and had the left knee replaced again about 5 years ago. She wore the left one out! Materials have changed over the years and the Docs told her it would be almost impossible to wear the newer knees out.
Again, not directly related to long distance hiking over time and YMMV. Best of luck and I bet with the right pace and light gear you'll do fine.
Good question - I have been asking it myself. I am also in the market for a new knee... Though, with the stories I have heard around here, I don't think I will opt to buy one on WB!
The key to any surgical recovery depends on a person's response to physical therapy and rehab. If a person doesn't put in the work right after surgery, then the amount of mobility will decrease. But, if you are asking about the new knees they are using these days and if they will hold up under that kind of activity - Holy cow! Those things are almost bionic! Having a new knee will feel a lot better (you know you need one when you start saying that!). The only thing holding me back is I worry my other knee will feel left out and might have a hard time keeping up.
Seriously, it can definitely be done. But, one would have to be diligent with their recovery following surgery and then stay on top of keeping the entire leg in shape.
* In regards to stories... I meant stories about hikers' knees and popping and crunching and pain...
My friend Saunter had both knees done about six years ago and just finished section-hiking his Triple Crown. He was hiking 1000+ mile sections to achieve that, and as far as I could tell he was limited by homesickness, not knee problems. Best of luck in your recovery.
"Throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." John Muir on expedition planning
Glad you cleared that up! I was wondering if I'd missed some sub forum in the Used/For Sale category - Knees / Feet maybe?
Not yet, but give it time! I imagine there are some out there who have contemplated organ/limb donation as a way to fund a thru-hike.
I'll donate a red rats................never mind.Not yet, but give it time! I imagine there are some out there who have contemplated organ/limb donation as a way to fund a thru-hike.
"Hiking is as close to God as you can get without going to Church." - BobbyJo Sargent aka milkman Sometimes it's nice to take a long walk in THE FOG.
I met a guy just north of Hot Springs three years ago or so.(Trail Name "hopalong <G> appropriate name, no??) who had a total knee replacement. He was having some pain at that time and I heard he got off later.
The next year, I saw he was back on the trail, but don't know if he finished an "end to end" or not.
Grinder
AT hiker : It's the journey, not the destination
Hi Water Rat. I see you live in New England too. Have you researched orthopedic docs and are you comfortable with one? Also, I'm young(ish)51.
So far, the posts sound encouraging...
I agree. It seems that the majority of people have had great results and that seems to coincide with diligent and dedicated rehabilitation. I was also able to get in to see rehabilitation specialist/doctor before I meet with the surgeon who will evaluate and prescribe an MRI which I will need anyway before I see the surgeon and he will read the results and between the two will recommend what procedures to take. I used to be apprehensive about all this but now after hearing more and more positive results I'm looking forward to it.
"Hiking is as close to God as you can get without going to Church." - BobbyJo Sargent aka milkman Sometimes it's nice to take a long walk in THE FOG.
Best of luck on your procedure! Will you have BOTH knees done at the same time? And, you are young(ish) too to have it done. I still hope to hear from those who have been able to thru-hike after a total knee replacement and how they fared. A trail name I considered...."Snap" "Crackle" "Pop"...
I'm hoping to have both done at the same time but will go with whatever they say. I think I'm youngish enough for that. I guess I'm at the median age for this procedure. A friend of mine who is also a member on here (hammock hanger) is a former thru who had both done at the same time and says just like some of the others that she feels like she's 19 again. She's out there hiking like crazy. Last I heard she was on the LT.
"Hiking is as close to God as you can get without going to Church." - BobbyJo Sargent aka milkman Sometimes it's nice to take a long walk in THE FOG.
If given a choice, having both done at the same time would be the way to go.
Thank you for the laugh - I really, really needed a laugh today!
I was spoiled and have had amazing luck with the orthopedic docs I have had in the past. Unfortunately, they are not on this side of the country. I have only recently resumed my search in the NE part of the country. I have friends in the Boston area, as well as near UCONN, so I was thinking about possibly looking to have the actual surgery performed away from home. As long as I adhere to the physical therapy and rehab schedules (and, I have always been good at that - I have seen the alternative!), it is all gravy after the surgery.Hi Water Rat. I see you live in New England too. Have you researched orthopedic docs and are you comfortable with one? Also, I'm young(ish)
Ummmm... I am a tad younger at 39 (first time around). But, in my defense, I used to ski hard and played volleyball and basketball. My knees should be 39, but in sports years, the left one is more like 139 yrs old.
I know a few people with knee replacements, and while not couch potatoes, they arent athletic either. Several in in 60s and 70s.
But I met a late 40s fellow in the waiting room of a hospital ICU about 6 years ago. He had had both knee replacements and was still running marathons. He had run marathons in all 50 states.
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