I am slowly moving toward a realization that I may need a knee replacement. My solo trip last week was very painful and required me to cut my distance and portages short. I was on a solo so did not inconvience anyone else but I was very frustrated and am hobbling around now at home.
My trip reminded me ever so much of Nctry's recent post in regard to being ever so limited by my physical restrictions and pain.
I am wondering if those of you that have your knee done are now able to carry a normal load over a couple dozen portages on a trip. Any perspective would be much appreciated.

GC- I am in the same situation. I, too, would like to see what others say.

You will have a weight limit after having total knee replacement, I think it's 35 or 45 lbs??????
Some try to push it higher, but do so at your own peril.
You're not a kid anymore!! :)

I have not had one myself, but one of my BWCA mentors did and he made trips into his early 80'. He was in his mid 70's when he had both knee's done. On his first trip after his knee replacements his only lament was that he wished he'd done it sooner and not just gutted the pain so long. In my eyes he was a lot more stable and less gimpy after the surgery. Cries of, 'Put that Canoe down old man' were hurled at him with increased regularity. My Uncle was unable to bird hunt (his real passion) for many years and two knee replacements got him back chasing dogs through the woods and that makes a BWCA portage look like a picnic. I'd say go for it.

I have had both knees replaced. Do the therapy, work hard at rehab and you can be back carrying without restrictions. Back surgery was the biggest problem - not the knees.
The new knees work very well. Just don't push it.

I have had both knees done, and I have not changed my portage style except for a little... I portage a Souris River Quetico 18.5 in duralite (which says it weighs 58 pounds) so add two seats and other accessories and it's 65 at least. I usually also add a backpack which weighs around 25-30 pounds so I pushing close to 100 with all I carry. I do that on short portages now, and on longer portages I just carry the canoe and make multiple trips.

As mentioned do the therapy and work at it... yes it hurts but you will get over it!
and exercise to regain strength. Use weights, ride a bike (low impact) or I do a lot of walking. During hunting season I do a lot of walking up and down hills here in Arkansas too. The most important thing I have found after knee replacements is to take your time, watch where you put your feet! You do not want to fall, it can have very adverse affects!

Knee replacements are tough, particularly when you are a big guy anyway! If you have one done, use you pain meds correctly to stay ahead of the pain that will come with therapy. I could not take the normal pain medication given for replacements (hydrocodone, or oxycodone) allergic to both. So I had to use Demerol which is hard on your insides and make me feel like crap! I had surgery on Friday and went home on Sunday, and started therapy on Monday!

Hope all goes well!

Bruce

I had a total knee replacement of my right knee just over 8 years ago. My best recommendation is to do the rehab exercises you're given and to continue doing them after you're released from rehab. By keeping the joint strong, you should be OK. I would also encourage you to reduce weight where you can. I used my replacement as "justification" for getting a lighter weight canoe; my wife saw right through that little ruse right away but she was OK with it. I also spent a lot of time evaluating my clothing & other gear to see where I could reduce my load. By following both of these strategies I was able to cut a substantial amount of weight and have been able to get out without any real problems. I don't know how long this level of success will last but I'll take it for now.

That's all for now. Best of luck with your knee, take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

My dad had his done about this time last year. Only regret he's had is that he didn't do it years sooner. He let it go long enough that he damaged his hip over the years when compensating for his bad knee. Now he's working on plans to get his hip replaced.

So if its something you know you need then I'd say get it done ASAP so you can avoid damage to other body parts and so you can get on the road to recovery sooner. Some people hold off on it because they are scared the new knee will limit their activities, in reality the bad knee they are on now is probably limiting them more than the new knee will.

When my dad had his done he was up and walking the same day and was back to normal way sooner than you'd think. I'd say he'd be better equipped to handle a tough portage after replacement than he was before.

What about squatting and/or kneeling to crawl into tents, etc?

Or getting into or out of a canoe?

Hubby has had both knees replaced. When he had his first knee done 7 years ago, it made a world of difference in his mobility and activity level. He did his therapy, worked hard and portaging became painfree and much easier again.

He had his other knee replaced last fall, after a couple of years of trying everything else first. I am looking forward to returning to pain free portaging for him on our first trip of the season in 2-1/2 weeks.

His knees haven't felt this good in years. He's worked hard and has a surgeon that believes in living a well rounded life, including all activities in moderation. He ran his first 5K in years earlier this spring.

quote ObiWenonahKenobi: "What about squatting and/or kneeling to crawl into tents, etc?"

Can you do these things easily now with a bad knee? If you've got a bad knee that DR's say needs replacing I think you'll find yourself having a net gain in terms of mobility and functionality.

I had mine replaced when I was 48, it was my 8th surgery on that knee. Best thing ever, no pain anymore after 15 yrs of it. Just do the rehab, keep your range of motion up. Only stipulations my doc gave me was no more running and no jumping. Had to laugh cause hadn't done any of that for years, also said no kneeling on that knee. I can still crawl into a tent and get in the canoe. Highly recommend it. I was off work 3 1/2 months. Went truck/canoe camping my last week off work.

Thanks for all of the information, very helpful and reassuring. It is certainly good to hear all of the good outcomes!

Keep in mind, that a total knee replacement (TNR) is different from a partial. You should not be doing any pounding motions like running with a TNR, and do not kneel with the knee on the ground, have some type of cushion.
Your knees will feel much better after the replacement in about 6 months, though you will be able to walk around far earlier. You will have weight restrictions with a TNR!!

The one thing I would add is, if you can afford it, do PT for 2-4 weeks before the replacement. The strength and range you gain will help in the rehab you have after the replacement. It will also let you decide if you have selected a good PT. Hospitals tend to steer you to their in-house PT, but you have a choice. In my town the better choice is down the street from the hospital...

GC- I understand your predicament. For a while, I had to take tow ins with my dad because he couldn't handle all of the portaging. He had his knee replaced and has been like a new man. He can portage with the best of them, I've even caught him double packing it. He's going on his 5th trip since knee replacement this October and has had no issues in any previous trip. That includes last year when he went crotch deep in muskeg. Lol. I know he'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Good luck to you.

My husband had a double knee replacement 7 years ago now and after 6 months was back to hunting, fishing, surfing, and portaging the boat like a maniac over mile long portages. He couldn't walk around the block before the replacements. Go for it! He definitely recommends doing PT before and after the surgeries. He firmly believes it was the key to his current full mobility. Good luck.

I have had both knees done - about 10 years apart. they have gotten much better at the procedure and the outcome. I have no kneeling or weight restrictions. the therapy is the key that and having a top notch surgeon. - In the Twin Cities - check out Tria Orthopedic!

This is all very encouraging. I've been a runner all my life with no issues, until now. My left knee is very painful and feels like its full of gravel. Not that I'm hoping for a knee replacement, but if that is in my future I'm glad to hear it is not the end of being active.

This is all very encouraging. I've been a runner all my life with no issues, until now. My left knee is very painful and feels like its full of gravel. Not that I'm hoping for a knee replacement, but if that is in my future I'm glad to hear it is not the end of being active.

I'm a runner and began having knee trouble at about 31, training for the Superior 50k. I'd run about 15,000 miles in my life to that point and then something just happened.

Kids came along so running took a backseat, knees never really got better and long hikes with a pack really worked them over. Now I'm 36, taking a glucosamine, turmeric and fish oil capsule twice daily, icing daily, and wearing a non-rigid knee brace while running.

I'm hitting 35 miles per week and standing for 37 hours/week at work. The knees are almost fine.

I just point it out because there are steps that can be taken short of surgery that gave give meaningful results with almost no cost, risk or side-effects.

It is good to hear all the positive PNR/TNR outcomes here however, encouraging and nice to know if I am not able to manage my knees with less substantial methods.

Now, I need to find a knee brace / knee pad in one and I'll be hiking 30 miles then kneeling down to cut wood and light my fire.

Ibuprofen is also nice for rare occasions, like on a trip where there is no ice, but I prefer to not take it regularly.

Just returned from a trip through the Lady Chain and VERY HIGH water on the Phoebe River.

As noted above, Hubby has two total knee replacements. One from 2009 and one from Nov 2016. He felt great. He had no trouble portaging. He pulled the canoe upstream in water to his waist through boulder filled rapids. His knees held up great. In fact it's the most pain-free trip he has taken in the last decade.

Neither surgeon ever gave him a weight restriction for lifting. His first surgeon in '09 told him no running. Last fall he had a different, younger surgeon. (He loved the first one, but he retired from surgeries last year so we went with a younger guy in the same practice group)

Post-surgery last fall, hubby asked about running. He really misses it as a form of exercise. And consequently has crept up in weight gain and is less fit than he used to be. His 'new' surgeon's attitude was simple - don't go out and run a full or even a half marathon. Don't make it your only form of exercise. But in moderation, yes you can. if it helps you stay more fit and you lose the extra weight you are carrying, then overall it's a healthy choice for you.

My left knee might need it one day and if so, I might pursue this to avoid joint amputation. If it's not legal in the U.S., I'd likely fly or drive to where it is.