I knew a total knee replacement (TKR) was a major operation and everyone keeps telling me I am doing very well but I am now in the 16th week since my operation and my patience is wearing thin.
To be fair the operated left knee isn’t doing too bad, it can get a bit stiff after exercise and still ‘aches’ a lot above and below the knee where the knee replacement mechanism is attached to the leg bone but now the right knee is starting to hurt and I fear a similar path to the left knee may be ahead. The bottom line is that cycling remains limited and touring plans are out of the question – I had hoped to return to Martigny just outside Dieppe in September for some short, easy day-rides but even that is now doubtful – I am fearful that I’ll ever get back to ‘proper cycling’ ever again!
Notwithstanding, looking back at the path of my recovery shows I have already travelled (metaphorically) a long way. I have kept a detailed record of my recovery as a future guide as: (i) there is a strong likelihood the knee replacement will wear out in +15-years and will need to be replaced, and (ii) it is very common for both knees to fail!
My approach to recovery has been slow but with gradual progress, that up until week-13 was going well. Basic walking was initially difficult but from a few laps of my small garden I have now progressed to a 1-hour local walk, though the knee can still get quite stiff afterwards and requires icing; I stopped all medication after 12-weeks.
Following my second arthroscopy two years ago and on the suggestion of the physiotherapist, I purchased an old bike and turbo trainer to aid recovery. At the time this helped a lot and 6-weeks after my TKR I again started to use the turbo trainer, thus marking an important milestone. The Holy Grail for TKR patients is knee bend, with a target of at least 110o, which with difficulty I managed after four weeks. Notwithstanding, pedalling on the turbo trainer was initially painful and took another 6-weeks to ease up. However, it did prove very helpful in re-establishing movement and flexibility, as well as bolstering my morale.
The seminal moment came at 10-weeks, when all the previous week’s pain and effort paid off as I got back on my bike again – this time on the road. It was difficult and quite painful setting off but I was now back on the black stuff i.e. real cycling. Despite the turbo trainer work I was conscience that road cycling could be another perhaps more challenging experience, so have been taking the Joey folding bike by car to a nearby quiet countryside location that critically is mainly quite flat. Starting with a 5-mile loop every other day, I have since built up to 10-miles and the left knee has performed well but, unfortunately, on increasing to 12.50 miles pain in my right knee started to appear. I subsequently rested for a week and have now successfully returned to 10-miles every other day.
Starting in Leigh the route goes up and back Flanchford Road to warm up, then in a north circle via Gadbrook followed by a south clockwise circle via Newdigate Road.
Up and down Flanchford road again before a clockwise circle via Brockham
It is a real pleasure to be back on the road and in the countryside again, particularly at this time of the year but I am concerned about the future – we’ll have to see. On a positive note, walking does not seem to unduly affect either knee, so it may have to be Shanks’s pony for the time being – which is nonetheless a major improvement.
I met a cyclist at Dieppe ferry port a few years ago on my way back from a Normandy cycle tour, he had had a TKR operation and was arriving at the port at the end of a two week ride from Venice! Ever since I have been motivated by that experience and am hopeful that one day I too can resume touring.
Recovery History: The Story So Far:
| Week (Post-Operation) | Status |
| 1 – 2 | Rest, various medication & basic physiotherapy |
| 3 | Daily x5-laps of the garden walking |
| 4 | Daily x10-laps of the garden walking |
| 5 | Daily x20-laps of the garden walking |
| 6 | Daily 20-minute walk from the house + allowed to drive againDaily 10-minute turbo trainer at minimum resistance; 15 minutes too much |
| 7 | Daily 23-minute walk from the houseDaily 15-minute turbo trainer at minimum resistance |
| 8 | Daily 35-minute walk from the houseDaily 15-minute turbo trainer at low resistance |
| 9 | Daily 40-minute walk from the houseDaily 20-minute turbo trainer at low resistanceDoctor indicates doing too much! |
| 10 | Alternate days 45-minute walk from the houseBACK ON THE BIKE alternate days 5-mile ride on the flat |
| 11 | Alternate days 50-minute walk from the houseAlternate days 7.5-mile ride on the flat |
| 12 | Alternate days 60-minute walk from the houseAlternate days 10-mile ride on the flat |
| 13 | Alternate days 60–minute walk from the houseChange to 12.50-mile ride on the flat but right knee hurts – rest for one week |
| 14 | Alternate days 60–minute walk from the houseReturn to 7-50 miles cycling on the flat + high cadence – OK but right knee soreSwimming OK |
| 15 | Alternate days 50-minute walk from the houseAlternate days 7.5-mile ride on the flat + high cadence |
| 16 | Alternate days 60-minute walk from the houseAlternate days 7.5-mile ride on the flat + high cadence |
Round The Bend 
Can I just say what a comfort to discover
someone who genuinely understands what they’re talking about over the internet.
You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it
important. More and more people really need to read this and understand this side of your story.
I can’t believe you’re not more popular since you certainly
have the gift.
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Thank you for your kind words, which are much appreciated.
If you’ve looked at my subsequent blogs you’ll see that whilst I have been back on the road, it’s with the use of an e-bike. Not perfect but it’s still very enjoyable and I have toured in the UK and the Dolomites in Italy. In general my operated (left) knee has been good and with an e-bike I manage up to 50 mile rides, though +/- 30 miles would be more typical.
Alas as feared it is now my right knee giving problems and I’m scheduled to meet with an orthopaedic surgeon in a few weeks. Fortunately X-ray and MRI scans indicate only minor osteoarthritis but a tear in the meniscus will probably lead to an arthroscopy – we shall see.
If, as I suspect, you’ve had a TKR I hope it is successful and you’re soon back on your bike. Whatever, take care and good luck.
Regards, Graham
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Dear Graham, I know that your posts are a couple of years old but they are still thee and they are an inspiration and comfort. I am 2 weeks in to the first of two TKRs and currently going through the exhausted and slightly fed up stage, clutching at any straws that will support my aspiration to get back on my bike. There is a myriad of differing advice on the internet, some good some bad, but I was delighted to find your honest account. I hope that this message finds you well and enjoying your 2 wheels. Kind regards, Rob
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Hi Rob, hang on in there it does get better, eventually.
For me it’s good and bad news. Nearly six years on my TKR left knee aches at times and can get a a bit sore but compared to pre-op is much better. Notwithstanding, I did convert my bike to an e-bike for a bit of extra assistance and apart from local day rides got back to touring in the UK, France and the Dolmites in Italy.
Alas, even at the time of my TKR my right knee was sore and I’ve been nursing it ever since until last year when it finally got much worse and as a result I’ve been off the bike for 12-months. I did eventually have an arthroscopy in October 2020 but unfortunately with only minor benefits and I’m seeing the consultant again next week to consider the way forward, which will probably be either steroid or PRP injections or another replacment – partial or full? It’s disappointing but was probably inavitable, as you may know – when one goes the other will follow, I put it down to age and too much sport when younger!
When the time’s right I would recommend a static bike and low gear flat circuits to get going again + it lifts the spirits and eventually leads to life back on the bike agian + no pain – though obviously with a TKR the knee is never the same again. In the meantime, good luck + let me know how you get on.
Regards, Graham
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Graham, many thanks for your words of encouragement; it’s great to be able to get a note from someone who’s been through it. Week4 now and definitely better than Week2. I’m hoping to try and turn the pedals on the recumbent exercise bike next week… hopefully it won’t be too painful.
Good luck on your journey with the 2nd knee. I went in to my first op knowing that the second will follow in short order, maybe 6 months, and is entirely dependent on my ability to recover from the first. At least I’ll have a better idea of what lays in wait for me.
Kind Regards, Rob
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