Sailing After Knee Replacement

[sail sfbay]

Please share how soon you or someone you know returned to sailing after total knee replacement (TKR). Was it weeks. months?

Any limitation(s)? One limitation is the length of time pressure can be put on the swollen surgical knee while standing at the helm, walking the deck and handling lines/sheets before knee icing and swelling subsides to a reasonable level. This can be mitigated by sitting at the helm and having crew walk the deck, run the helm and/or handle lines/sheets. Another is using dock steps vs. jumping off to safely disembark the boat.

 

[31seahorse]

WOW! Tough question for we pions (sp?) who are not medical professionals. I don't think you could even get a definitive answer from Web MD! Try asking your surgeon. Surely, each recovery is different and depends on you as an individual patient. A guideline to consider might be how comfortable you feel while doing other daily activities. How much joint mobility can you tolerate? Has your incision healed? Knee surgery has often been described as having a much more difficult and longer term recovery time than hip replacement surgery. Now, if you have questions about hip surgery I can speak from experience (times 2). BTW.....Jumping off the boat to disembark is not recommended even for sailors with two original, healthy knees.

 

[FastOlson]

Only narrative I hear from all of my friends that have had joint replacements is to fully participate in your PT program even when it is uncomfortable. Other than that, communicate well with your surgeon about your progress and any limitations.
A more vexing problem that many have is getting in and out of low-slung sports cars and sedans!

 

[DougM]

Only narrative I hear from all of my friends that have had joint replacements is to fully participate in your PT program even when it is uncomfortable. Other than that, communicate well with your surgeon about your progress and any limitations.
A more vexing problem that many have is getting in and out of low-slung sports cars and sedans!

I had a total knee replacement on February 12. I’m 73...
I was OKd to drive after 3 weeks. I’m 6’7” and I could get into and out of my Corvette with minor difficulty (mostly getting my size 13s between the door sill and the door itself).
Got on the boat Memorial day weekend, just a little more cautious than before...
I get an occasional sharp reminder every once in awhile when I bump my kneecap that everything is not fully healed yet.
Oh, almost forgot! I am playing golf. (putting hasn’t improved and still can’t control my sand wedge.)
Do the physical therapy no matter what!

 

[sail sfbay]

Doug,

Glad to see you are managing getting in/out of your Corvette with your tall frame and size 13 shoes, driving, sailing and even golfing!! I am 68, 6'2" with size 14 shoe and had TKR surgery the day after Memorial day weekend. Fortunately, my Ford F-250 that has a step and a lot of room to get my surgical leg in/out. Also, my sailboat has stairs vs. ladder with a rail to/from the companionway and cabin, which makes it easy for my surgical leg to descend/ascend and even allows my small dog to get in/out with aid.

 

[BigEasy]

Admiral had a partial knee replacement April 2018 and a total replacement on other knee in February 2019. I have watched and participated in both recoveries. I would guestimate that 3 months would be a minimum recovery period before attempting sailing. Recovery and outcome vary for different patients and in some cases, it takes a year. Unfortunately, not every case is 100% successful; however, most are better off following surgery. You really need to have a frank discussion with your surgeon and physical therapist to acess your recovery and limitations. A definite challenge will be traversing the cockpit/cabin ladder and you definitely don't want to put adverse pressure /strain on the knee on a steep ladder. Seems that in both surgeries, 3 weeks really was a turning point in mobility and pain threshold. Still had a long way to go; however, recovery was exponential after 3 weeks. Ice and pain meds will be your friend for the first 3 weeks. A good physical therapist is crucial to your recovery. You wont push yourself to the extent that a PT will and you will never get the flexibility back without the proper PT protocol. Good luck with the recovery and let us know how you progress.

 

[David in Sandusky]

The Admiral has two knee replacements, both done in the winter so she was fully recovered for sailing in the summer. No limitations for her on the boat. She still goes forward when we hoist and lower the main. She takes up the lines, and climbs aboard as we leave the dock. She hauls up the fenders when we leave, and re-attaches them and rigs the spring line when we return. She can still set the asymmetric spinnaker, and climb down the stern ladder to get into our inflatable dinghy, or swim. As I said, no limits.

She did strictly follow orders (positive, and restrictions) from her doc, and therapist during recovery. I think that is the key to success. Programmed rebuilding of strength and range of motion, while limiting activities per instructions.

Good luck to you for your recovery. She just said she sees her operations as an 11 year miracle!

 

[Ken Cross]

Thanks, I needed that. I'm waiting for a scheduling call to have mine replaced in October. The Admiral had one done last September. She's fine but it took some time.

Ken