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LewTeam
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016

Total knee replacement issues.

Hello everyone. Just retired in December and once we get a couple of things paid off we plan to purchase an RV hopefully early next year. My question this afternoon concerns a potential health issue. I have some pretty bad knees and am facing probably a knee repair soon. If it can't be repaired I may be facing at least one total knee replacement. What are some issues that you all have faced concerning camping with either needing knee replacement, or, camping after having knee replacement?

Thanks ahead of time. I always appreciate your information and opinions.

Mike Lew

37 Replies

  • A good friend of ours had both knees replaced last year and now walks 2 miles daily for exercise with no pain. She's 84...
  • I believe there are several active members here who have had knee replacement. They will probably chime in if they see this thread.
  • I had both knees replaced & faced no issues, I enjoy RVing as much as ever with no problems from the knees. :)
  • My wife had both knees replaced, first one, then the other 2 years later. I have one knee replacement and a plate and screws in the opposing foot. After surgery plan on a bunch of physical therapy, and do it religiously. We both were walking up and down a flight of stairs before we left the hospital, like on the 3rd day. Up and walking a bit on the first day. Probably six weeks before you will be cleared to drive, although I really could drive before that. After the replacement you just learn to do things a bit different. When I have to get on my knees, even now years after the surgery, I put a beach towel on the floor (or a pillow or something) so I am not kneeling on a hard surface. We walk, bike ride, hook up the tow car, load the motorhome, enjoy life. Life after a knee replacement is not discomfort free. Sometimes it creeks, snaps, or is just discomforting, but the pain that initiated the surgery is total gone. The people I know who tend to complain about life after knee replacement (in my opinion) did not follow the physical therapy regime required for recover. Best to you, and Happy Trails
  • Mike,

    Congrats on being retired. We are very blessed to be in good health but a member of our congregation had his replaced and he was back in church less than a week afterwards. He in now climbing tree stands and doing things he couldn't do before the replacement. My brother in law had his replaced and DID NOT follow the doctor's orders and had a lot of trouble.

    Based on the above and the folks we have met travelling I don't see it being an issue at all after the dr. releases you.

    If you get back down to Jamesville pm me.
  • Not knee replacement, but 2 years ago I blew the cartilage out on my right knee and had surgery. Not sure which was worse, the original blow-out or the surgery. Sometimes I wish I would have skipped the surgery, I might have less pain now (2 years later). Meanwhile, the knee, actually, the entire leg hurts and throbs. The pain moves to different places, but always hurts, always walk with a limp, and on pain killers now.

    Fortunate, the other leg is good, so the good leg does all the lift, one step at a time. Makes me VERY happy I have a travel trailer and not a 5er. 5er's have steps to the second level. From the ground to the first floor, can have 3 to 5 steps. From the bottom level to the top level can be 3 to 5 steps. That's just way to many steps.

    So, really, if you have bad knees, bad legs, walking problems, you want to eliminate stairs and steps as much as possible. You choose which type of RV suits you.

    This last summer was camping in Missouri. Next camper over from us had an older guy using 2 canes. Poor old guy could barely stand. I watched him come and go from the camper (travel trailer). He would sit down on the floor, dangle his feet out the door with his feet on the ground and then stand up. (no steps at all.) That's how he got back inside too. He would stand at the door backwards and simply sit on the floor, skoot himself inside and then figure out how to stand (I suppose). By then, he had the door shut.

    Bottom line, if there is a will, there is a way.
  • My wife had a total knee replacement about 14 years ago. Only limitation she found after the surgery is she finds it painful to crawl on her knees. So no corner bed for us! Twin beds or walk around beds are perfect.

    Everything else is great. Best of luck.