Park Touring After Total Knee Replacement

[PolyRob]

My mom had a total knee replacement in April and is almost 3 months post-op. She's doing well and her range of motion is up to 135 degrees. There is no trip scheduled in the near future, but I am trying to figure out what accommodations she may need to make in order to have a successful trip with her new knee.

Will TSA require anything special for airport security? Can she walk through those newer Disney security machines or does she always need to be wanded?

She will still want an ECV since Disney requires so much walking so that will stay the same. I know attractions with low seats like Small World, Test Track, Frozen, etc were difficult with her old knee. Will it be even worse with the new knee if she has a decent range of motion? Moving walkways on attractions like Haunted Mansion and Little Mermaid were always slowed down since she didn't feel safe with the higher speed. Will this be more difficult?

Just curious what others have noticed after having the surgery. I don't want her attempting too much or pushing herself too hard. Thank you!

 

[Debbie Jean]

I have bilateral total knee replacements done almost 10 years ago with many trips, Disney and others destinations during that time.

At the airport when I put my stuff on the security belt I just tell the agent there I need the scanner. Not an issue, though sometimes I have to wait for them to find a female agent to come over. More often than not, they also need to at least want some body part and I’ve had a full pat down from time to time. Traveling to Florida is easy… half the people there have had some part of their body replaced so it’s very straightforward.

Park security is simple since the knees don’t set off their scanners. For me the issue with rides is less range of motion, which is excellent, and more the strength in my legs to push up from a seated position. This is especially true for the boat rides like Navi, Frozen, etc. though most have enough grab bars getting off that I can pull myself off… in the case of some like Jungle Cruise, a CM will give me a hand… even though they are technically not allowed to do it. I travel solo a lot and sometimes it ain’t pretty but I get it done lol

I find I set off most security systems so when I see one I just assume I’ll need to be wanded. Did a European cruise this spring and set off every single detector when I reboarded at each port we docked. Same at the court house when I had jury duty.

I’ve lived with it for 10 years so it’s not a big deal to me anymore. I definitely use a scooter at Disney though I try to walk more when I can between attractions.

Good luck to your mother in her recovery! It is a very hard surgery with a difficult and long recovery. To this day I am overwhelming grateful I had mine done though and try to treat these little titanium beauties with all the respect they deserve.

 

[Chirple]

My mom had a total knee replacement in April and is almost 3 months post-op. She's doing well and her range of motion is up to 135 degrees. There is no trip scheduled in the near future, but I am trying to figure out what accommodations she may need to make in order to have a successful trip with her new knee.

Will TSA require anything special for airport security? Can she walk through those newer Disney security machines or does she always need to be wanded?

She will still want an ECV since Disney requires so much walking so that will stay the same. I know attractions with low seats like Small World, Test Track, Frozen, etc were difficult with her old knee. Will it be even worse with the new knee if she has a decent range of motion? Moving walkways on attractions like Haunted Mansion and Little Mermaid were always slowed down since she didn't feel safe with the higher speed. Will this be more difficult?

Just curious what others have noticed after having the surgery. I don't want her attempting too much or pushing herself too hard. Thank you!

I had a TKR of my left knee in January and traveled to WDW in May. We have TSA Pre-Check so my experience might be different than what your mom will have but might help others. My right knee will eventually be replaced.

I brought my cane with me but can walk well without it. After putting my cane and my backpack through the scanner, I indicated to the TSA agent that I needed the big scanner and pointed to my knee. I did not have to remove my shoes due to Pre-Check, and I don't wear clothing with pockets when traveling so no missed metal or suspicious items on my body.

Went through the scanner with no issue, female agent had me stretch out my arms and did a light pat down of my back, collected my scanned items, and went to my gate. (My cane fit in the overhead in front of everyone else's carry on bags.)

At WDW I had rented a scooter but took my cane with me every day (rested in front). Park security has a separate lane for strollers and mobility devices. I pulled forward to the side of the scanner, grabbed my cane, and held that out in front of me as I walked through. I'm sure for those who have trouble walking without assistance experience something different.

Honestly, I brought my cane because it acted as my shield when I shopped. I didn't want to navigate crowded stores with the scooter, but I wanted others to be aware.

 

[PolyRob]

I have bilateral total knee replacements done almost 10 years ago with many trips, Disney and others destinations during that time.

At the airport when I put my stuff on the security belt I just tell the agent there I need the scanner. Not an issue, though sometimes I have to wait for them to find a female agent to come over. More often than not, they also need to at least want some body part and I’ve had a full pat down from time to time. Traveling to Florida is easy… half the people there have had some part of their body replaced so it’s very straightforward.

Park security is simple since the knees don’t set off their scanners. For me the issue with rides is less range of motion, which is excellent, and more the strength in my legs to push up from a seated position. This is especially true for the boat rides like Navi, Frozen, etc. though most have enough grab bars getting off that I can pull myself off… in the case of some like Jungle Cruise, a CM will give me a hand… even though they are technically not allowed to do it. I travel solo a lot and sometimes it ain’t pretty but I get it done lol

I find I set off most security systems so when I see one I just assume I’ll need to be wanded. Did a European cruise this spring and set off every single detector when I reboarded at each port we docked. Same at the court house when I had jury duty.

I’ve lived with it for 10 years so it’s not a big deal to me anymore. I definitely use a scooter at Disney though I try to walk more when I can between attractions.

Good luck to your mother in her recovery! It is a very hard surgery with a difficult and long recovery. To this day I am overwhelming grateful I had mine done though and try to treat these little titanium beauties with all the respect they deserve.

Thank you!

I think hearing this about the airport will be a relief for her. Excellent point about medical devices and flying to Florida.

In the past some security agents asked her to get off the ECV and some would just wand her. Glad to hear she won't set off those scanners if she walks through.

My sister or I always helped her in and out of the boats so that stuck out in my mind. She's still strengthening in PT so I am hopeful it will actually be easier for her. I'll still be there to help, but I am sure she will be happy if she can do it. The ECV was a godsend for trips with her arthritis. Even short distances caused lots of pain. She's hoping she can do simple things like get an ice cream in the lobby while leaving the ECV in the room. Only time will tell!

So far she's extremely pleased with the procedure. I am glad you are as well! She's going to need her left knee done too. Her rehab of the right knee is actually limited by her left knee. She does her exercises, recumbent bike, and walks, etc but she needs to be mindful of the left one. That knee is actually more bothersome than her new one less than 3 months out.

 

[PolyRob]

I had a TKR of my left knee in January and traveled to WDW in May. We have TSA Pre-Check so my experience might be different than what your mom will have but might help others. My right knee will eventually be replaced.

I brought my cane with me but can walk well without it. After putting my cane and my backpack through the scanner, I indicated to the TSA agent that I needed the big scanner and pointed to my knee. I did not have to remove my shoes due to Pre-Check, and I don't wear clothing with pockets when traveling so no missed metal or suspicious items on my body.

Went through the scanner with no issue, female agent had me stretch out my arms and did a light pat down of my back, collected my scanned items, and went to my gate. (My cane fit in the overhead in front of everyone else's carry on bags.)

At WDW I had rented a scooter but took my cane with me every day (rested in front). Park security has a separate lane for strollers and mobility devices. I pulled forward to the side of the scanner, grabbed my cane, and held that out in front of me as I walked through. I'm sure for those who have trouble walking without assistance experience something different.

Honestly, I brought my cane because it acted as my shield when I shopped. I didn't want to navigate crowded stores with the scooter, but I wanted others to be aware.

Thank you!

That's impressive you returned in 4 months!

She also has TSA pre-check. I honestly got it for her because shoes on/off was difficult with the knees. The added speed was just a bonus. She will be happy to hear she can still keep shoes on and the light jacket.

It's smart you use the assistive device to guard your knee. You never who's running around the corner. It takes a lot of time and effort to get through it so you don't want anything setting you back.

Good luck to you with your right knee!

 

[Debbie Jean]

Thank you!

I think hearing this about the airport will be a relief for her. Excellent point about medical devices and flying to Florida.

In the past some security agents asked her to get off the ECV and some would just wand her. Glad to hear she won't set off those scanners if she walks through.

My sister or I always helped her in and out of the boats so that stuck out in my mind. She's still strengthening in PT so I am hopeful it will actually be easier for her. I'll still be there to help, but I am sure she will be happy if she can do it. The ECV was a godsend for trips with her arthritis. Even short distances caused lots of pain. She's hoping she can do simple things like get an ice cream in the lobby while leaving the ECV in the room. Only time will tell!

So far she's extremely pleased with the procedure. I am glad you are as well! She's going to need her left knee done too. Her rehab of the right knee is actually limited by her left knee. She does her exercises, recumbent bike, and walks, etc but she needs to be mindful of the left one. That knee is actually more bothersome than her new one less than 3 months out.

It’s tough when you need both replaced. My doctor did mine exactly one month apart… he said one alone would not give me full benefit and he found if he let people wait on the second one, they didn’t come back because of the pain from the first surgery! He doesn’t do both at the same time, though, because you are under anesthesia at least twice as long and the rehab is that much tougher.

I’m sure as she gets stronger and feels more confident with her new bionic knee, DM will really enjoy the little things… like getting that ice cream without the scooter!

 

[PolyRob]

It’s tough when you need both replaced. My doctor did mine exactly one month apart… he said one alone would not give me full benefit and he found if he let people wait on the second one, they didn’t come back because of the pain from the first surgery! He doesn’t do both at the same time, though, because you are under anesthesia at least twice as long and the rehab is that much tougher.

I’m sure as she gets stronger and feels more confident with her new bionic knee, DM will really enjoy the little things… like getting that ice cream without the scooter!

Absolutely! She was actually knock kneed on the right side and that one gave her more pain so it was done first. Her surgeon didn't present the option to do both at once, but she wouldn't have wanted to anyway.

The night of her procedure as she was using the walker to go to the bathroom she adamantly told me she WOULD NOT do her left knee. After the first two weeks she said she was crazy and it was already starting to feel better than the left. Her biggest issue was the pain medication. It made her extremely nauseous until they got the right combination and type.

I think her biggest win to date post-op is doing the stairs normally rather than stopping on each step and going down with the worse leg. She had been doing that for probably a decade.

 

[leebee]

This is encouraging to hear. I am 4 weeks post-op for my right TKR and am still wondering why I did it. I can get around the house without my cane, mostly, but when I go out walking I still take the crutches, mostly as defense against sand, pebbles, people, etc. I only have about 95degrees of flex in my knee and am just feeling like I'm never going to get better. It's nice to read about positive experiences!

 

[PolyRob]

This is encouraging to hear. I am 4 weeks post-op for my right TKR and am still wondering why I did it. I can get around the house without my cane, mostly, but when I go out walking I still take the crutches, mostly as defense against sand, pebbles, people, etc. I only have about 95degrees of flex in my knee and am just feeling like I'm never going to get better. It's nice to read about positive experiences!

I have to say the first 2 weeks seemed to be the worst for my mom. Super swollen, needed pain medication, used assistive devices, etc. By 4 weeks she doing better, but 6 weeks is when she really started to see an improvement and was able to stop taking baby Aspirin, wearing anti embolism stockings, sleeping with a splint, etc. Now at almost 3 months she really isn't in pain. Her right leg just feels heavier than the left one. The feeling has decreased from when she first had the procedure, but it doesn't feel like her regular knee just yet.

She's already figuring out what day she wants to schedule her left knee, but said that won't happen until next year. Her biggest issue was extreme nausea.

Good luck to you in your recovery! Don't be discouraged. Keep doing those exercises and I am sure it will feel better as you get stronger.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Patience is one of the biggest challenges with the recovery. It takes 6 months to a year to achieve the full benefit. So the good news is it will improve! The bad news is it takes a lot longer.

At 10 years bilateral replacement, my biggest issue on a day to day basis is balance since I can’t stand on one leg… so for example, I need to hold a hand rail when I do stairs and if I step off a curb I need to be extra careful. Well, that and if I fall, I have a heck of a time getting up since I can’t kneel!

 

[tukkerlove]

This is encouraging to hear. I am 4 weeks post-op for my right TKR and am still wondering why I did it. I can get around the house without my cane, mostly, but when I go out walking I still take the crutches, mostly as defense against sand, pebbles, people, etc. I only have about 95degrees of flex in my knee and am just feeling like I'm never going to get better. It's nice to read about positive experiences!

Leebee, I had a total knee replacement at the end of March, and it took me a full 12 weeks before I was really feeling any type of true recovery. I had to get a special 'extentionator' to have at home because my knee extensoion exercises wern't cutting it. I had the same damn pain as I had pre-surgery. It felt like it didn't work. At about 8 weeks I thought I turned a corner and it felt wonderful for about 3 days, and then it was back to the same pain. My knee just had so much swelling and it was constantly hot to the touch. Then at 12 weeks, a vast improvement. And I just finally stopped going to PT for this knee a couple of weeks ago. So keep battling through, it will get better!!

I still have a lot of stiffness, and sitting/standing from low seats is a battle but I do see a light and feel like it was worth the trial!

My problem now is my other knee, which also has arthirtis, probably needs a replaement and we are doing our trip out in January. I am worried especially about getting in and out of rides, and dealing with the pain and potential exhaustion from doing that.