Can I go kayaking with an artificial knee? Or, can I kayak with a total knee replacement? These questions are becoming more and more commonplace.
This post is written by a licensed healthcare professional who has worked with orthopedic clinicians for over two decades.
A knee or hip replacement is one of the many medical innovations that have benefited millions all over the world. It has given a new lease on life to those who would otherwise be somewhat disabled for life.
But if you are someone with an adventurous soul, total knee replacement can have a considerable effect on your life. And I don’t mean just the replacement itself – but the incident that warranted the replacement surgery.
On the one hand, you can’t help but be grateful for the surgery. But as you gradually heal from the physical wounds and get used to the artificial knee, several lingering questions come creeping up on you.
This can be anything from:
How do I get on with life with a piece of titanium taking up residence in my legs?
or
How is this going to affect my mobility?
If you are new to kayaking, start with our newbie guide. If you have been kayaking your whole life, the inevitable question comes up:
Can I go kayaking with artificial knees?
- A straightforward answer? Yes, you can.
This post is dedicated to all my kayaking comrades who have undergone a replacement and have questions about the possibility of continuing this fantastic sport.
Let’s go kayaking with that artificial knee!
As a licensed Radiographer of 20 years, I will attempt to provide some insight to the best of my ability.
I personally know a good number of people who have had this replacement surgery and enjoyed kayaking to the full extent.
There are, however, a few things you should be careful about when paddling in the water after this life-changing event.
Let’s break it down.
Take it slow.
If you have had an affinity towards extreme kayaking, it can be really tempting to grab your boat and paddle towards the sunset as soon as you are released from the hospital.
But the best strategy is to let your body heal and allow metal and bones to familiarize themselves with each other. Instant gratification can yield disastrous results in the long run.
Along the same lines, you will benefit the most if you follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter. He or she is, after all, the best source of information for medical knowledge.
After you get acclimated to the new knee, you can start paddling slowly as you figure out what works for you. However, I wouldn’t go hardcore until after about a year after the surgery.
Invest in a knee brace.
A good quality knee brace, or compression sleeve, can be a great way to feel more comfortable after a knee replacement.
Any kayaker with an artificial knee will tell you that knee braces can make a significant difference while paddling in the water.
A recent study has also proven that a high-tech knee stabilizer can also accelerate the recovery process post-surgery. It can also reduce the need for painkillers. This is great information, as not many people enjoy downing the painkillers, no matter how much pain they experience.
Check out the Powerlix Knee Compression Brace on Amazon. It is the #1 knee brace on Amazon for a reason.
Consider a bigger kayak.
After the knee replacement surgery, an inflatable kayak or your usual boat won’t be of much help. It is especially true if you plan to kayak for long hours at a stretch. Keep in mind that sitting idle for long hours can exacerbate the pain and discomfort.
A wider kayak with leg space in the cockpit will allow you to move your legs, so they don’t feel stifled inside the boat. Having a bigger kayak will not improve the flexibility of the knees. However, it can enhance the level of comfort significantly when you go kayaking with an artificial knee.
If you are in the market for a new kayak, or an upgraded version for your new knee, Amazon now has almost every kayak on the market listed. They ship right to your door so you don’t have to go walking all over town to find one.
Watch your movements.
No matter how agile and flexible you are, it pays to remember that quick and sudden movements do not work in your favor after a knee replacement.
Warning: Pivoting sharply and jerking the joints can put a lot of stress on the implant, possibly even damaging it.
Another thing you might want to pay attention to is your steps. A slight fall can be damaging to the lower body. Chances of cracking or breaking the implant are increased during a fall.
But –
It is your bones surrounding the implant that are vulnerable and prone to breaking. A lot of folks with knee replacements do not anticipate this, and sometimes the doctors won’t even warn you about this possibility.
However, it can be an ironic twist of fate when you break your femur bone when it was the artificial knee that you were primarily concerned about.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in May I fractured my femur just above my knee replacement. Just a fluke twisting fall when I slipped on a wet floor. Took 3 hrs of surgery, a metal plate, 11 screws, and bone grafting to fix it. I am amazed at how much damage a stupid slip & twist has caused. I am also amazed that this kind of injury is relatively rare, given that people ski, hike, kayak, raft, etc. after knee replacement. My surgeon told me that the only way to “break” my knee replacement was to smash it on a rock…..he never mentioned that a simple fall could break my femur. A bone that usually doesn’t break unless there is major force and trauma. It’s been three months, and I’m still on crutches. Hopefully a fall & winter’s worth of rehab will find me back on my raft next season. Be careful out there.
CataraftGirl – Link to comment
Go easy with the weight.
A successful knee replacement will set you for life, especially if you had experiences with pain in the past. However, you need to know that it is a lifelong investment. This means you should be mindful of what you carry.
Most experts agree that lifting more than 20 lbs of weight is not ideal. Lifting something above this weight will mean putting a lot of pressure on your artificial knee and risking damage.
No more portaging when you go kayaking with an artificial knee! You will have to use a kayak dolly to manage the weight of the kayak.
We have actually tested a few kayak dollies and can give you a great recommendation. One of our favorite places to kayak has gates that don’t open until 7 am. Since the sun comes up at 5 am during certain times of the year, we arrive at the river long before the park ranger opens the gate.
So we use our trusty kayak dolly to carry our gear a good quarter-mile from the gate to the dock. When we’re done, we walk back up to the van and drive it down to the dock for loading.
Check out this excellent kayak dolly on Amazon. My wife and I both own one. It holds up to 120 pounds and folds up for easy storage. It even fits inside our kayak for storage while paddling.
Amazon also carries a wide variety of different kayak dollies if you want to look around from the comfort of your own home.
Bid farewell to extreme kayaking.
I don’t mean to be the bearer of such bad news but lay extreme kayaking with your artificial knee to rest after you have had a knee replacement. Flying down with your boat over a waterfall or embarking on a winter kayaking amidst the ice and snow will become a liability to the implant.
Extreme kayaking, or any form of extreme sports for that matter, demand top physical form, and it can take out a lot on your body. Most people with knee replacements will agree that you can do ‘almost’ everything that you did before the surgery, which is absolutely true. But did you see that there is ‘almost’ in the sentence?
You will be pleased to know that the rate of repairing or replacing an implant is very low. However, when this happens, the pain can be excruciating. But worst, your knee can become unstable, which can be devastating.
Don’t become a statistic!
Challenges of launching and exiting a kayak after a knee replacement.
This is a primary concern for many paddlers who have undergone either a knee or a hip replacement. This is a legitimate concern as the implants are most vulnerable and under the most pressure during this maneuver.
Although there is no restriction on mobility, getting in and out of the boat requires twisting your body, which is not ideal for the implant. Therefore, you must garner some tips that you can adapt and execute a safe launch and exit from the boat.
Below you will find some easy and practical instructions to get in and out of the kayak safely. This is completely different from re-entering your kayak in deep water.
For easier comprehension, let’s break it down into points.
- Start with the boat being placed parallel to the beach. The hull should be fully afloat on the water.
- Place the paddle across the lip of the cockpit. You should be standing in front of the paddle.
- Slowly ease yourself into the sitting position and sit on the shaft of the paddle. One hand should be holding on to the stern cockpit lip while the other grasps the paddle shaft.
- Gently lean towards the beach, all the while making sure that the paddle is firmly planted on the beach. This will prevent the boat from becoming unstable and you from making sudden jerking movements.
- Lift your leg on the side of the kayak and ease it into the cockpit. Take note not to bend the knees while sliding it into the cockpit.
- Next, lift the other leg and ease it into the cockpit, making sure that it is fully extended.
- When you are comfortable, slowly ease your body into the cockpit.
- You are now ready to bring your paddle forward and continue paddling.
If you have access to a sturdy rock or a dock, you can place the paddle in front of you. Rest one end of the paddle on the rock, and the other on the cockpit. Lean the majority of your body weight onto your hands.
- Use the same method to slowly ease your legs into the cockpit one after the other.
- Next, slide your body into it. After you have sat comfortably in the seat, lift the paddles, and you are ready to go.
- Whichever method you employ to launch the boat, the key is to distribute your body weight and not put excess pressure on the knees. Take note that you are not twisting your legs or bending your knees.
What else to expect with the new knee?
Getting a knee replacement is a relationship that you need to maintain for life. But like I’ve mentioned before, this is a foreign object in your body. So, here are a few things that you need to know.
- If the replacement was necessitated by conditions such as arthritis, your new knee would bring a lot of relief. You will experience much lesser pain after the surgery.
- Expect an occasional click and pop. This is the metal and the plastic that are rubbing against each other and it is totally normal.
- Try to maintain a healthy weight and engage in weight training whenever possible. This will help you develop stronger bones and muscles around the implant.
Conclusion
Good luck my friend. I hope these recommendations will help you enjoy kayaking with an artificial knee. Just remember to be careful and stay safe.
