Comments on: Skiing With Bilateral Knee Replacement Surgery

By: George Karlsven

George Karlsven — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:23:37 +0000

In reply to Greg Zoll. I had both knees replaced ten years ago and have continued skiing 50+ days a season. I am now 75 and plan to continue. One important qualifying point to replacing a knee is your bone density. If you don't have adequate bone density they will not replace your knee. So you might consider consulting with an orthopedic surgeon re your current bone density. Second, I would suggest the best way to find a good knee replacement doc is to talk to a couple of well regarded sports medicine physical therapists. They see all the wreckage from the bad docs. And they also know who the best docs are for each ortho procedure. They can tell you very quickly who they would have replace their knees! Good bedside manner is irrelevant, from my perspective. I want the best guy with the lowest infection rates

By: Alan Betournay

Alan Betournay — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:04:07 +0000

Thank you all for the above posts. It is very encouraging to hear the success stories. I am 60 yrs old and have bone on bone in both knees. I have been skiing for 38 + years. I’ve had cortisone shots (which did nothing) and then gel shots about 2 yrs ago. The only way I am able to hit the slopes these days are with arthritis cream and lots of Tylenol and Ibuprofen along with knee braces. Still I am not nearly pain free on the slopes. My Primary Care Physician told me to wait as long as I can to have them replaced but I don’t know exactly what that means. I would like to get them both done at the same time for two reasons: to shorten recovery and I simply can’t tell which knee is worse. I say that my left knee is really bad but my right knee is worse at times. I would like to know how Frank convinced his Dr. to replace both at the same time. I am hoping to retire in about 18 months and I would like to have 2 “pain-free knees so that I can enjoy the slopes as a retiree. Just need to courage to make the move.

By: Todd Clark

Todd Clark — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 18:06:37 +0000

Knee replacements were in 2006 and 2010. I skied with CADS after the first replacement and used them ever since, 20-25 times a year. I feel comfortable with them though they certainly look strange and can sometimes be a hassle working with the system. I find that if I don’t ski with them I tire much more quickly. I demoed the MoJo system 5 or 6 years ago and liked it but they never followed up on distributing the system. If you have concerns on your knees I would highly recommend contacting Walter Dandy at CADS. His website will help you get information.

By: Rohn Jennings

Rohn Jennings — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 03:53:00 +0000

76 years old and had a bone on bone knee replaced in June 2023 and was skiing in November of 23. Key for me was doing lots of PT exercises ahead of surgery and then lots more after. I think strengthening the muscles in your legs and back before surgery helped me recover faster. Also if it hurts when you exercise don’t be afraid to take some pain medication like Tylenol and maybe back off on repetitions and move on to an exercise that doesn’t hurt. I know a few people who wouldn’t do the exercises because they hurt and did not want to take any pain medication for fear of getting addicted. They never seemed to improve and gave up skiing. Be healthy to ski, ski to be healthy.

By: Ole Retlev

Ole Retlev — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 02:48:45 +0000

78 y o… TKR 5 and 10 years ago. Teach and ski Deer Valley daily but stay out of trees and moguls. As the surgeons said… “enjoy skiing but listen to your body..”.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:49:09 +0000

In 2016 (age 77) I suffered a comminuted compound fracture – tib-fib plus tibial plateau – wheelchair 3 months. Took a long time for bones to heal. With terrific rehab I was back on the slopes almost a year to the day from my “operator’s error.” Last season I skied 40+ days. Now at 85, based on comparison X-rays (then & now) my trauma surgeon who did a spectacular job inserting much metal in my tib-fib, putting “Humty Dumpty” back together again said, after nine good years, your knee is shot; time for a new one. But the op reqires two surgeries: first removal of the hardware first (9 big screws in the tibial plateau, then bone healing); then a second operation – total knee replacement, bone healing plus rehab. My goal is to ski at least another five years unless I end up on the wrong side of the grass first. I’m motivated and in shape, but still unsure. Am I nuts?

By: Manthey John

Manthey John — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:49:38 +0000

I’m another with two knee replacements still skiing at 74. I had mine done in May and Sept of 23 and started skiing again in January last year. I give my physical therapist a lot of credit for getting me ready. Lot’s of balance, reaction, and strength exercises so I was skiing good on my first day. I am an expert recreational skier who prefers off piste and made it up 10 times last year. I even managed a couple double diamond runs (7th Heaven @ Steven’s Pass) by the end of the year. So nice to be pain free.

By: KenC

KenC — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:31:33 +0000

Good to hear you had a good outcome! My best friend, was a competitive mogul skier, 62yrs old, just had a TKR in Sept, now 4 months post-op, and he’s still struggling to full straighten his knee. Unfortunately, he put off surgery for many years, and everything is still very tight. We’re supposed to ski at Snowbird/Alta in 6wks, about 6months post-op, but I don’t think so. We’ll have to try again in 2026.

By: Nancy Pitstick

Nancy Pitstick — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:01:20 +0000

I am 77, with total knee replacements done 16 and 13 years ago. I had reached a point where skiing had become no fun. After 3 months of post-op rehab for each, I have had many deliciously pain-free years of skiing. Best of all, these knees show no sign of wearing out!

By: Mike Madeleine

Mike Madeleine — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:55:26 +0000

In reply to Greg Zoll. I’m 70 and ski Tahoe 20 days last season. Had both knees replaced one in 2019 and second in 2022. First knee surgery was in 1975 with many scopes thereafter skiing was painful waited until bone on bone. Now no pain or swelling. Skiing is great again. Key to success in MNSHO. is rigorous PT starting the day of surgery.