Comments on: Question For You 15: Returning With New Joints

By: Tom Hanel

Tom Hanel — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 19:10:18 +0000

I am 70 and have rt. and lt. artificial hips. they are terrific. so just do it! I can still tele in the backcountry but am supposed to avoid jumps. I ski 80+ days a year in the bc and at ski areas. be in shape, have a surgeon who does a ton of hip replacements and understands your passion to ski. Dr. Steve Heil at Rocky Mtn. Orthopedic in G. Jct., Co. did my last one in 2017 and he plans for a “boring recovery” which it was. it is amazing how soon one can get back to mtn. biking and skiing. most of my bc skiing now is on AT gear, which stands for aging telemarker! oh, I have a ceramic ball in a space aged material lined cup.

By: Tom Hanel

Tom Hanel — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 18:57:00 +0000

In reply to Carol. Sorry Carol, shoulders are the worst in that they have a 6 month recovery time. which sucks because your lower body wants to ski. you cannot be in a hurry to recover. you must closely follow your doctor's and PTs instructions which is generally do nothing for the first 4-8 weeks, then active assisted range of motion for a few weeks followed by active range of motion on your own for 4 weeks. power training and aggressive strengthening don't begin until4-5 months post surgery. my shoulder was done in Oct. '14 and my first ski was corn snow in April '15. good luck to you

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 14:39:26 +0000

Looking for feedback about skiing agter a total shoulder replacement.

By: Eric Lunan

Eric Lunan — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 13:45:11 +0000

In reply to Donald R MacKay. Agree 100%on the value of pre-hab!

By: Bruce Courtney

Bruce Courtney — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 18:19:41 +0000

In reply to Donald R MacKay. Hi Donald, Thanks so much for you valuable advice. I am 60 years old and am having my total right knee replacement scheduled for this coming December 17th. This will be my fourth surgery on my right knee, but my first full replacement. I've been doing some research on my own, and have found that practically everyone tells me the exact same advice you've given.I was wondering if you would be willing to tell me what specific exercises and stretching movements helped you the most? I so admire you for your resolve, and determination to keep on living, and the courage to do the necessary things to make it possible. Thanks, Bruce Courtney

By: Bruce Lund

Bruce Lund — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:39:43 +0000

I had a hip replacement in June, 2012 and skied in Feb., 2013. I did some research then and discovered that the anterior method was the best- I believe it is the standard now. I am now 88 and intend to ski again when the virus allows us , However, I am now battling a bad back and am in physical therapy to try to correct it.. My hip Dr. says that if I would have my other hip replaced my back problem would be taken care of. At 88 I am hesitant to have surgery – anyone have any thoughts???

By: PennyO

PennyO — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 19:16:35 +0000

In reply to Terri Burton-Wire.

Bilateral knee replacement May 2016, a few days shy of my 60th birthday. (Both knees were victims of genetics and skiing.) Skied 6 months later, 30+ days each season since. I ski mostly off-groomed and avoid getting airborne.

I’ll echo the call for prehab and rehab; my gym/PT setup is what Terri describes. My trainer and my PT worked together both before the surgery and after, and my rehab went smoothly and quickly. They and my surgeon understood my priority was to ski that winter. I bike and hike in the off-season and do a challenging pre-season ski fit class every fall.

Kept the same boots but had them refitted. Had to throw away the orthotics in my gym shoes.

Don’t forget that if you’ve been compensating for pain or injury, you’ll have to forget how. A trainer and a good instructor can help. After 30-plus years of ACL-deficient L knee, it took me a couple seasons to learn to trust that knee again. Solid right turns are a game-changer.

By: Cindy Pickens

Cindy Pickens — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 17:57:02 +0000

In reply to Mark Milne. Thanks you for your comments regarding overdoing post op exercise. I had a TKR June 2018 followed by the second knee October 2018. Was in great shape prior to surgery. Post Op PT and exercise is important but I'm a warning about overdoing it. Ran into bilateral quadricep (patellar) tendonitis in both knees and then decreased strength due to the fine line between too much and too little exercise. Skied last year. Skiing was fine, getting on and off chairlifts a bit of an exercise in pain due to the deep flexion required of the knees. Looking forward to this ski season.

By: Tom Curtis

Tom Curtis — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 22:12:36 +0000

I had hip replacement on July 20, 2020. Anterior operation done by Michael Alexiades at Hospital for Special Surgery with computer assist. Implants were made by DJO Surgical with a ceramic head. I was discharged the same day. Went home, slept for 3 hours and got up and made dinner using only a cane. I was walking every day thereafter. I was off the pain meds the next day and have healed . Hip is better than before. I will be skiing in December and I am nearly 80. I think recovery is due more to the skill of the surgeon and the fitment of the implants than how much exercise you do thereafter.

By: Fred Pirie

Fred Pirie — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 21:56:21 +0000

In june 2017 I had a complete ankle replacement. Unlike a knee replacement with an ankle you have to wait 7-8 weeks before you have PT. Researching the PT is as important as the surgeon. I was skiing exactly 6 months after the operation. I did have to buy new boots to be able to get the foot on. I purchased Full Tilt boots that open to the front which made putting them on simple. My first 2 runs were slow and cautious. Then I headed to the bar.
In july of this year I had a revision done on the ankle. Next week , 4 months after the surgery, I will start playing pickleball again.I expect to be skiing in Jan. The most important thing is to get the right PT, that knows how to do ankles. I am 70 years old and am looking forward to Jan 2021.