Skiing again after injury

[Babette]

Hi everyone -- I'm new here and just want to say this thread has given me tons of hope and has returned me to my former, risk-taking (w/in reason), inner-athlete, strong self. I'm having a knee replacement 2 weeks from today and I know the only thing that's going to get me through the recovery is my eye on the prize of skiing in 2019.

Long ago, from ages 9 - 30ish, I was an expert skier with a passion for the moguls... that may have to go, ok with that. But returning to the rest of it -- decades later -- is so exciting! I have another challenge which is to get some weight off ... like about 50 lbs. But I know what I have to do and again, keeping my eye on the prize is what works. I started reading knee-replacement threads on other sites and I have to say I'm just not motivated as much by fear as I am by excitement, so those scary surgery threads didn't do too much for me.

Keep these great posts coming. I'll be reading them a lot!

Babette

 

[ski diva]

Hi, Babette! Welcome to the forum! Sounds like your head is in a good place, and that's a big part in a successful recovery. Wishing you the best of luck, and be sure to keep us posted.

 

[snowski/swimmouse]

I 2nd that! I shattered my femur three years ago and "kept my eye on the prize".
I was pleasantly surprised that I continued to improve for up to two years!

 

[VickiK]

Babette!

 

[Babette]

Thank you Vicki!

 

[newboots]

Welcome, @Babette ! So glad to have you and soon, your new knee!

 

[2ski2moro]

Welcome to TheSkiDiva. As a baby boomer who is quite overweight, I want to say, don't let a few extra pounds stop you. Just ski it.

 

[Babette]

Thanks 2ski! I have no intention of sitting around until I'm a certain size! I've skied at all shapes and sizes. The only thing I need to do is have my knee replaced and then begin what is a horribly long period of healing and rehab. So many people say it can take a year! I'm really hoping to beat that and be one the slopes in 2019! Thanks again for the support!

 

[snowski/swimmouse]

P.S. I was back on the slopes and racing at 9 months...

 

[Babette]

What an inspiration! I need to hear it!

Babette

 

[snowski/swimmouse]

While my confidence suffered, I was actually in better physical shape from all the physical therapy. They even had a wii machine that "took me through the race course"!

 

[Babette]

That's super! Did you have PT from the very beginning of your injury? I ask because the whole PT community seems divided right now with some saying, rest (no formal PT), then rehab (PT). What do you think?

 

[snowski/swimmouse]

I did PT from the very beginning, very gently at first, but always increasing in intensity. I've been taught that maintaining muscle around the knees is key. My MRI's say I shouldn't be walking or skiing ( replacing knees instead), but because I keep doing things that strengthen the knees, they tell me to "keep on keeping on". It's working for me so far!

 

[Babette]

I have bone on bone arthritis in both knees. There is 0 cartilage left. I'm temporarily disabled/housebound until this surgery! Grrrrr I can't wait!

 

[snowski/swimmouse]

Yes, I've been bone on bone arthritis in both knees for years. That's why there are 6 reasons on the MRIs that I shouldn't be walking or skiing; I know I'm very lucky that I'm getting by... Vent on! Divas are good listeners!

 

[Babette]

And you don't have pain? Like childbirth level pain? That's amazing! Then again, maybe mine have been this bad for years and I'm only now feeling pain. Bodies are so mysterious.

 

[snowski/swimmouse]

Weather tells me about it. And carrying things of any weight on stairs... I have a handicapped placard that's essential at slopes to get me close when I have to carry the skis. But, NO PAIN on the slopes! Miraculous! Yes, I KNOW I'm lucky!

 

[volklgirl]

Can you get a script for pool-based prehab?? Getting those muscles strong and firing before the replacement will make rehab afterwards drastically easier.

 

[Babette]

I've been taking a water aerobics class for months and only stopped now because I can't walk from the parking lot to the door, can't manage changing my clothes, etc. This pre-op pain is really bad. Don't know if water aerobics are anything like pool-based rehab...

 

[newboots]

Ouch! That surgery can’t come soon enough!