Knee replacement

My doctor, a former rock climber, tells me I cannot climb with my new knee replacement.
Does anyone have input/experience on climbing after a knee replacement?

To be clear, my other knee is no where near being worn out so I will have one new knee and one knee that is in good 60-YO shape.

Cheers

Roger

I'm now 9 months after knee replacement surgery, and I'm feeling really good. My range of motion is definitely limited in the new knee, and certainly affects my climbing to some degree. I don't climb very hard anyway so for me it's just not that big of a deal. Not ideal, but certainly not something that keeps me from enjoying climbing. I am so much better off than I was before the surgery that I am happy to make that trade-off.

I don't know about the differences among the various prostheses out there. I have a Stryker Triathlon.

The recovery is pretty painful and the rehab is hell, but for me it has quite simply given me my life back.

Good luck with your surgery!

Roger, I had a partial knee replacement, medial, about 10 years ago. I’m 74 now and have been climbing since my surgeon and pt said I’m good to go.  Several months post surgery I was climbing with minimal loss of range. Find a good pt and ask your doctor for their rationale as to no climbing.  

I’m 2.5 years out from a total knee with the Stryker Triathalon. I was TRing easy stuff 7 months out, and now 2 years out I’d say the only thing it holds me back from is high stepping. I had a tough recovery, but even with that I don’t regret it. Kneeling doesn’t feel great so I generally avoid it, but otherwise I’m pretty much back to normal with climbing, biking and skiing. I don’t lead much, so your mileage may vary.

Happy to answer any questions you may have.

5 months out of right knee replacement. Hmmm...my knee Doc is also a climber and he said I would be able to resume rock/ice climbing. Told me not to take the sharp end for a year. Takes a full year for the knee to get back to 100% normal and bone to heal, but you will feel pretty awesome 3 months out. Yep, it was not a pleasant for about 2 weeks post surgery and the rehab getting to 120 degree flexion was not comfortable. Then you have to spend time getting your strength and balance back. I could go to the gym and top rope right now...but still avoiding crowds. Waiting for the warmer weather, but 5 mile up and down hikes are a breeze and NO KNEE PAIN...ankle fusion is next and waiting till after summer to have that done...then the shoulder.

Thanks Jim, David, Wendy and Terry. Your responses are encouraging.
I planned to continue climbing regardless of Docs thoughts but your words help me understand that I’m not crazy… either that or we all are in this craziness together!

Search previous threads for 'knee replacement' -- lots of info.  I am 8+ years out from mine -- it is more solid than a real knee.  Glad to have at least one good leg.  I'm ancient and climb at least 3x a week, hike, bike, and tote heavy weights around (sometimes).  A replacement will not bend quite as much as a natural knee -- but it handles drop-knees, toe hooks, heel hooks, high steps etc -- enough for fun-type recreational climbing.  You'll get used to it.  You have to keep stretching it vigorously, forever, or it will get quite stiff.  IMHO: If you have good muscles to start ....just do the rehab and there is no reason you cannot climb.  (My docs = US ski team, snowboard team, etc. They climb. Have pictures of patients post-op doing same in their clinic.  They expected I would be climbing following recovery, despite great age.)  

You don't want to take a bad fall on it, but the sad thing is, the replacement will hold up better than your ankle, hip, spine, etc.  (see 'Bruce' post is aforementioned thread).  

Ask your doctor 'why not??'  (Do you have osteoporosis?  In which case, the surgery itself is risky).  His statement doesn't seem rationale or informed.  

QdeBeeswrote:

Search previous threads for 'knee replacement' -- lots of info.  I am 8+ years out from mine -- it is more solid than a real knee.  Glad to have at least one good leg.  I'm ancient and climb at least 3x a week, hike, bike, and tote heavy weights around (sometimes).  A replacement will not bend quite as much as a natural knee -- but it handles drop-knees, toe hooks, heel hooks, high steps etc -- enough for fun-type recreational climbing.  You'll get used to it.  You have to keep stretching it vigorously, forever, or it will get quite stiff.  IMHO: If you have good muscles to start ....just do the rehab and there is no reason you cannot climb.  (My docs = US ski team, snowboard team, etc. They climb. Have pictures of patients post-op doing same in their clinic.  They expected I would be climbing following recovery, despite great age.)  

You don't want to take a bad fall on it, but the sad thing is, the replacement will hold up better than your ankle, hip, spine, etc.  (see 'Bruce' post is aforementioned thread).  

Ask your doctor 'why not??'  (Do you have osteoporosis?  In which case, the surgery itself is risky).  His statement doesn't seem rationale or informed.  

What type of knee do you have?
I have osteoarthritis. 

Terry Parkerwrote:

5 months out of right knee replacement. Hmmm...my knee Doc is also a climber and he said I would be able to resume rock/ice climbing. Told me not to take the sharp end for a year. Takes a full year for the knee to get back to 100% normal and bone to heal, but you will feel pretty awesome 3 months out. Yep, it was not a pleasant for about 2 weeks post surgery and the rehab getting to 120 degree flexion was not comfortable. Then you have to spend time getting your strength and balance back. I could go to the gym and top rope right now...but still avoiding crowds. Waiting for the warmer weather, but 5 mile up and down hikes are a breeze and NO KNEE PAIN...ankle fusion is next and waiting till after summer to have that done...then the shoulder.

What knee did you get? 

Had my right knee done...forget the name of the hardware they put in. But the hardware is all pretty much the same these days.

I don’t have a knee replacement but I see them put in, usually several times a day. I can’t see why you can’t climb within the range of motion you have.

What I’d be most concerned about is falling. Dislocating or fracture near the femoral stem requires revision and that comes with long recovery times and greater loss of mobility. Aside from that, it’s probably lower impact on the new joint than a hard approach.

Do everything in your power not to get dropped and bouldering is pretty much off the table. After that, what else can you do? Life is meant for living.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsionwrote:

I don’t have a knee replacement but I see them put in, usually several times a day. I can’t see why you can’t climb within the range of motion you have.

What I’d be most concerned about is falling. Dislocating or fracture near the femoral stem requires revision and that comes with long recovery times and greater loss of mobility. Aside from that, it’s probably lower impact on the new joint than a hard approach.

Do everything in your power not to get dropped and bouldering is pretty much off the table. After that, what else can you do? Life is meant for living.

Is a “Stryker” knee more conducive to an active lifestyle over a “Zimmer Persona”? You can PM me if you prefer not to say in this public forum.
Your last sentiment is my life’s mantra! I like gear way too much to Boulder very frequently! I climb 5.fun with my wife and friends and truthfully never intended on not climbing after TKR. My docs comments only make me want to search out the best hardware to remain active.
Thanks for your words of wisdom and encouragement.

Cheers

I asked my lady fried who is an ortho about climbing after a knee replacement and she said there shouldn't be a problem, just avoid the drop knees.  I'll ask her about her opinion between the Zimmer or Stryker.

roger fritzwrote:

Is a “Stryker” knee more conducive to an active lifestyle over a “Zimmer Persona”? You can PM me if you prefer not to say in this public forum.
Your last sentiment is my life’s mantra! I like gear way too much to Boulder very frequently! I climb 5.fun with my wife and friends and truthfully never intended on not climbing after TKR. My docs comments only make me want to search out the best hardware to remain active.
Thanks for your words of wisdom and encouragement.

Cheers

I've been in the orthopedics business for 12 years and the knees put out by various manufacturers are very similar. Obviously I am referring to the same type of knee (i.e., not comparing an Aesculap Enduro Hinge with a cementless Attune knee). 

It depends more on the surgeon who put the knee in. Reportedly about 20% of TKA patients experience pain and dissatisfaction. Like others said, you do NOT want to fall on it. Revisions and periprosthetic fracture can be messy.

I am 3 years out of my TKA ; had a Zimmer Persona . Had a very stiff knee pre-op (arthritis was due to sepsis from a previous arthroscopy/ ACL 20 years ago.   Best thing I ever did . I am also an orthopedic PT by trade. Rehabbed very vigorously ; got my flexion to 130 (preop flexion was 88 - super stiff). I am a very moderate rock/ ice climber but the knee let’s me do anything I want.  I do not boulder (fall/ impact risk).  More difficult climbs can be tough as the knee does not fully flex (normal = 140-145) making high feet moves challenging.  

My 70s were the decade of joint replacements.  I had a hip replacement at 71, a second hip replacement at 77 as well as both knees, 3 months apart.  I continued to do moderate top-roping and some leading inside and outside and still love climbing.  My hips and knees have basically been pain free and I do high steps.  I recommend following the physical therapy scrupulously and more, and find a good surgeon who does 12 or more replacements a week.   Unfortunately, now I'm facing a "reverse total shoulder replacement" where the ball and socket are reversed.  I would still like to be able to do easy climbing.  The pain is now nearly unbearable.  I'd appreciate any recommendations on shoulder doctors in the DC/Baltimore area and advice for recovery and continuing to climb?  

Jeanette, great you’re still climbing after multiple replacement parts.  I’ve recently (March 1) had my second shoulder replaced and am in Sicily climbing.  I would suggest you post on a shoulder thread as recently Rich Carlstad, from Seattle, was looking for reverse shoulder orthopedic surgeons.  There might be a lead there.  My surgeon does both but in Seattle.  We have done follow ups all virtually as I’m a five hour drive from Seattle.  Best to you getting it resolved and out climbing without pain.