New Knee, new challenges

[Boopuff]

I had a TKR a year ago. Just got back from WDW. I am fully ambulatory, no scooter, walker... nothing. I was suprised at how difficult some of the rides have become, just due to my range of motion. I thought I'd share my findings on the things I rode. (obviously I don't ride a lot! I'm mainly baby watcher!)
MK
Tron: had to ride in the seat (but boy the ride did me in!)
Pirates: Ok easy in/out
Small World: Nope. Can't do it anymore seat way too low and tight
Haunted Mansion: easy on/off
Jungle Cruise: easy on/off with family giving me a hand
Speedway: nope: cars are way too low and really hard to get out of.

Epcot
Remy: Easy on/off
Living with Land: easy on/needed a hand to get off
Seas: Easy on/off

AK
Safari: easy on/off
Navi River: really difficult low seat, needed help out

HS
MMRR: easy on/off
Toy Story: easy on/needed hand to steady getting off
Alien Swirling: tight seat (knee hit front) needed hand getting off

Walking all day was something! I really should've rested more. But the trip was awesome!

 

[happily single]

Thanks for this! I would have thought Jungle Cruise and Small World would be similar as they both require you to lower yourself into a boat.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

I haven't needed any replacements as yet but just with age, I find it is harder getting in and out, off and on various things.
I wonder if I will be the person that they have to pull out of ride because I am not able to get out on my own.

I certainly know how you feel.

 

[The Mayor]

I've had both knees replaced. Left in 2008, right in 2020. I worked hard at trying to get as much range of motion as possible but ended up stalling and not progressing much at about the one year mark. A personal trainer told me about the knees over toes guy (Ben Patrick) and I started watching his You Tube videos and doing some of his exercises. My range of motion slowly started improving. Now I can touch my thigh to my calf when bending my knees. It's been amazing and during our August trip was able to ride every ride and get in and out with no problems.

There are a lot of exercises but I weeded through them and picked 8-10 of them that I can do at home. Check him out and see if it's something you may be interested in trying.

Glad you had a great trip!!!

 

[MICKIMINI]

Small World is a killer to get on and off. I tried the to get on the Frozen ride in Norway and it was way too low to get into. They brought out a slide thing and I took one look and said no thanks. There are some rides that are a no go now with a TKR, sadly.

I can't kneel on that knee as it feels so weird, not painful, just weird. I had my TKR six years ago by the best surgeons in our region (my son is a dPT and a colleague to both) and the knee works great but if I fall, I struggle to get up.

It is always "fun" at the airport going through the scanner!

I use an ECV only at WDW. It was weird at first but it is the only way I can do that kind of mileage!

 

[morrik5]

I hear you on restrictions as our bodies don't work as they used to. Just the miles of walking required takes its toll on me and especially my plantar fasciitis foot. Some day we hope to return to WDW when the daughter's schedule allows the whole family to come down again, untill then I'll still be following all of the posts on Disboards.

 

[Akck]

I’ve just had my second TKR this month, with the first being done in April. We’ll be going in December, so I’ll get to see how well it goes. For me, my range of motion is better (assuming PT gets back some flexibility for the second knee), than before replacements hopefully making some things easier to do.

 

[Snowysmom]

I had both knees replaced in 2014. I do really well at Disney and walk alot at home but do find some rides difficult to get out of just like many of you. I pick and chose if I want to deal with pushing up out of the seat in one of the boat rides or just passing it by. Those I find the worst. I am glad to see someone else does not like to kneel since having knee replacement. I try to explain how it feels but no one really can understand. It just feels weird, no pain but just like the skin is just pressing up again the metal and not a good feeling.

 

[tvguy]

Interesting the difference between Pirates and Small World, I thought they used the same boat design.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I just got back from WDW a couple of days ago. Went to only 3 parks (HS, MK and Epcot). I've been having knee issues prior to my trip but they got worse being at WDW. All that walking and difficulty with some riding getting in and out. Anything not on level with me was hard. We are going back in a couple of months with our daughter. Just going to MK and Epcot and making it a more relaxing trip. More resort time and maybe leave the Disney bubble for the day.

 

[katallo]

We love Disney. Now that we’re seniors, Rides are very difficult. This why I wish they would offer a senior discount on tickets.

 

[OKW Lover]

Very interesting information. I wonder if others with TKR have the same issues or if this is more dependent on the individual.