Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Climbing after a total knee replacement

I also posted this question on Summitpost.org. Has anyone here had a total knee replacement (TKR) and been able to resume climbing mountains? I may have it done in the next couple years. I don't need to climb anything real technical, but I would like to conquer Mt. Rainier. I've tried twice now and haven't made it yet. I feel the third time is a charm and now I know exactly how I will train to make it to the top. I've tried twice with RMI. I think they're a great guide service and I would try them again, but the guides are in their 20s and 30s mostly and don't cut any slack to someone like me, who at 59, may need to stop occasionally just for 20 seconds or so and catch my breath. I crapped out on top of Disappointment Cleaver, but with a little encouragement I now believe I could have kept going. I was not altitude sick, just somewhat exhausted and had difficulty regulating my body temp, so I sweated too much. I just don't know if I'd attempt it again knowing I have bad knees. After last year's attempt I was in pain for about 4 days after coming off the mountain. I can go up with no problem. It's the coming down that hurts. So I'd like to hear from anyone that has rehabilitated after TKR surgery to successfully hike and climb again. I've read where some doctors say you can hike again, but they say don't carry weight. Well, you can't climb mountains without carrying weight. On Rainier you have to carry about 40 pounds up to Camp Muir. Any experience or info would be greatly appreciated.

MJ: I am currently 66 yrs old, and had a total knee replacement of right knee about six years ago. Since then, I have been up Whitney five times. Some things to remember, have that knee in as best shape possible PRIOR to the surgery. I had 10 pound ankle weights and pumped them 500 times over the course of each day. Coming out of surgery at 4:30pm, I was walking on that knee at noon the next day. Follow through on all the rehab. Do what they tell you on the rehab. The hard part can be getting the knee totally straight-but you need to get there. On my hikes, I can't carry more than 40#. My hikes are slow and steady, one foot after the other. If you need more info just let me know. And remember, no high impact activities like jogging. Best of luck.

Bob,
Thanks for the info. I'm also looking forward (?) to a possible TKR next winter. Do you know the type (brand, model) of prosthesis they put in you?

I had a total hip 10 years ago and it has been a marvel (3x up Whitney with it) but I know that the surgeon had different options on what to install. We talked about my activities and made the decision on that basis. I would like to have as much info as possible when I sit down with the knee guy.

Burt

Yep, I'm 64 had both of mine replaced in 2011, left Jan, right in April. Started hiking for the first time (never had any interest in hiking before) in 2012 I went up Whitney 3 times last year to Trail Camp and then on to the summit once. 2 days before I summited Whitney I summited Mt White. In 2012 I did all the big peaks of SoCal some more than once plus a lot of the others. Some hikes were 20+ miles and usually do 1 or 2 weekly 5-10 mile conditioning walks or hikes. I also race motocross and down hill ski without any problems.

So to answer your question GO TAKE A HIKE

MJ
At age 61 Nov 2011 I had right leg TKR. I was in good shape coming into it, equal strength both legs, and had backpacked 90 miles in the Sierras as recently as 3 months beforehand with pain, lots of meds, and 3 previous surgeries.

I had difficult rehab due to tourniquet-induced femoral nerve damage, but despite that I turned the corner at 6 months, and at 8 months backpacked from South Lake/Bishop Pass to Kearsarge Onion Valley 64 miles, then for a bonus did Whitney as a 1 nighter. I had allowed 2 nights , thinking I could not come down from the summit 6,000 ft all in one day but I did ,easier than I thought. Slower, though. I'd say my overall speed is ok uphill, but is 2/3 of what it used to be on flat and downhill.

At the 1 year mark, went to Orizaba with Richard (of this forum). Up no problem. Down was bad. Much steeper than JMT or Whitney trail (I knew that as I had been to Orizaba before) . I was the slowest person coming down. I fell twice on the glacier. Crampons and steep descents are no good for me anymore, not enough strength, or coordination. My knee buckles unexpectedly at times. I don't mind the backpacking, but snow and ice is out. No more for me.

As for prosthesis choice: My surgeon recommended a traditional TKR. He thought that a few people were unhappy with the newer medial-pivot design. If I knew what I know now, I would have insisted on the medial-pivot as it offers more natural gait, and allows the muscles/tendons to 'take up the slack" better in the important first 15 degrees of flexion that I have problems with. My hiking buddy Ian is 73, had his TKR the year before me, and has had none of my problems.

There are as many experiences as there are people. It is unfortunately the luck of the draw how it turns out. I have heard no two stories alike, good or bad. But I had to do it. Now I have a knee that is better than the failing old one. If all I wanted to do was go to the mailbox, I would be happy as a clam. But I have had far more swelling problems postop than I had preop, the clunking (that some people get) is really annoying, and the mechanical deficiencies I mentioned before.

I rate my outcome a "C" realizing that there are people who have results all the way from F to A. It sounds like the other poster had an A.

had both knees totally replaced 2 years ago, have done whitney twice.
Age 72
I start slow and taper, then put on cruise control for decent.
ice and advil are my new best friends

Yes, I guess I got the A package, had a great surgeon. No pain, swelling, clunking nothing just a set of 20 year old like knees. Got lucky on this one, now if I just had a set of 20 year old lungs to go along with my new knees life would be good. Best of luck hope things work out better for you Lankford.