Re: [RUSA] Abridged summary of randonneurs-usa@googlegroups.com - 7 updates in 1 topic

[Kitty Goursolle]

Hi Ken, my BF got both knees replaced at the same time.  He waited a long time  to get it done. It got to where he couldn’t stand for more than a few minutes without agonizing pain. He was told that if he didn’t do it by age 75, he’d be too old and a surgical risk. After the surgery, he spent about two weeks in a rehab home because he was pretty much totally helpless. At home,  he moved downstairs because he couldn’t do stairs. He had to give up paragliding, bc the risk of a hard landing. Also, he was very diligent about doing his stretching exercises every day to regain full flexion, even now, 10 years after.  I’m not sure how much pain you can endure, but it might make sense to not do the surgery till after the PBP.  I like the suggestion from someone here who said take up swimming it’s low impact, but it keeps your aerobic fitness pretty high. Also swimming with fins is something swimmers do strengthens the muscles and the short arc of freestyle kicking is good for knees in general.   Another thought is that you could go with shorter crank arms so that there’s less knee flexion. Wishing you all the best and whatever you decide, a speedy recovery!

On Sun, Mar 8, 2026 at 11:26 PM <randonn...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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• total knee replacments - 7 Updates

total knee replacments

Ken Shoemaker <kds....@kdsworld.com>: Mar 07 10:29PM -0800 Hi folks, collecting some group intelligence. Went to the surgeon with my X-rays and both of my knees are shot. Doesn't seem to interfere with riding much yet but it does make living more of a ...more

Lois Springsteen <lo...@bryant-springsteen.net>: Mar 08 07:17AM -0700 Sorry you are facing this, Ken. I don't really know anyone close that's gone through new knees. My uncle had both done at once many years ago and he was pleased with the results. He had wrecked his ...more

Gardner Duvall <gardner...@gmail.com>: Mar 08 10:30AM -0400 I have one non-rando cycling buddy who had a successful replacement, but his doctor would not let him stand on his pedals for a full year. I had another rando buddy who rode some long distances ...more

Colin Moy <moyb...@gmail.com>: Mar 08 07:51AM -0700 Hi Ken, I had one done in 2020, 6 mos of PT and spinning. Did my first 100k with lots of ice post ride. Took a full year before a 200k and referring soccer games.   During 2023 PBP I developed ...more

Mike Binnix <mi...@binnix.net>: Mar 08 10:53AM -0400 My wife has had both knees replaced. She's not a randonneur but she has enjoyed a remarkable improvement in function, mobility and overall well being. Hers were done serially about 3 months apart. ...more

Eric Keller <kell...@gmail.com>: Mar 08 11:32AM -0400 I feel like PBP would be a stretch. But as far as recovery goes, I suggest taking up swimming. I never would have done any randonneuring without swimming, my knees were a mess. Eric Keller ...more

Hoyt Robey <biking...@gmail.com>: Mar 08 08:42PM -0600 Would not do both knees together. I had one full knee done two years ago January. Doing half moon pedals on the stationary bike. After a few weeks I was able to turn a full rotation Wowsers! ...more

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