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Knee replacement implications

Submitted by niall_topping on Fri, 20/12/2013
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NOC Riders Section

Hi to all.

I've just come home from hospital following a Total Knee Replacement of my right knee, after 29 years of struggling following a head-on collision on a Venom, when things were bad during this time, and I couldn't use my right leg, I always managed to kickstart my bikes on the centrestand with my left foot, which I'm sure will still be the case, do any members with experience of knee replacement, know if this will be the rule from now on for me or will I ever be able to start my bikes in the normal way again?

Thanks in anticipation,

Niall

Submitted by peter_stowe on Fri, 20/12/2013

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Niall

Sorry to hear of your knee problems. I have no experience of knee problems but after recent abdomen surgery I didnt think I would be able to kick over my Commando again, but thankfully I can now.

Have you considerd a single? If I get the piston just just over compression with the valve lifter the kick then needed takes almost no pressure. And I always well retard the ignition to make sure there is no kick back. Plus they are light and low.

Anyway, I hope you get over the problem

Submitted by ian_lisseter on Fri, 20/12/2013

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Niall,

If you can climb stairs with your new right knee as the prime power and have sufficient bend (more than 90 degrees) then I'd say that you will be able to start your bike the conventional way without a problem. My left knee is quite knackered (not replaced) and doesn't have enough bend to start a LHS kickstart but I can sit on my Commando without modifying the footrest. I think I'd gain confidence by starting my bike once it was warmed up a few times before a cold start but its a matter of some hard work in rehab and give it a go.

Cheers, Ian Lisseter

Submitted by james_fanning on Sat, 21/12/2013

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Not exactly what you probably wanted to hear but may give some encouragement - my Dad had replacements done on both knees in the early '90sand continued to ride bikes for some years before passing on , albeit with electric start machines.

Fancy a 961 ?

Submitted by gordon_johnston on Sat, 21/12/2013

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I think so much depends on your bike. I'll speak to my orthopod wife and see what she says. However,I would think that an Atlas or Comando might be too much (unless it's a Mk 3 with a working electric start. I have 2 bikes which are simplicity to start - a B31 and a plunger A7. No problem for dodgy knees so I won't be getting rid of them. My Dad had a Velo MAC which he could (as a party piece) start using his hand on the kickstart. So you might be a bit limited in your choice of bike but you shouldn't have to go down the electric leg route unless you want to. What I have found amongst some older riders is that they rave about their big scoots. Electric start, twist and go, weather protection and plenty of performance. Plenty of choice!

Submitted by peter_stowe on Sat, 21/12/2013

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Previously Gordon Johnston wrote:

I think so much depends on your bike. I'll speak to my orthopod wife and see what she says. However,I would think that an Atlas or Comando might be too much (unless it's a Mk 3 with a working electric start. I have 2 bikes which are simplicity to start - a B31 and a plunger A7. No problem for dodgy knees so I won't be getting rid of them. My Dad had a Velo MAC which he could (as a party piece) start using his hand on the kickstart. So you might be a bit limited in your choice of bike but you shouldn't have to go down the electric leg route unless you want to. What I have found amongst some older riders is that they rave about their big scoots. Electric start, twist and go, weather protection and plenty of performance. Plenty of choice!

Amongst the old guys that I know the big scooters are good for those that have hip trouble and can't lift a leg over a saddle, they just step through.

NVT East Rider anybody?

Submitted by niall_topping on Sat, 21/12/2013

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Hi to All,

thanks for all the comments, but I think I failed to word my original question clearly enough, I have no worries about starting my bikes, even when my old knee was at its most painful, and I was in screaming bloody agony to even stand on it, I could start the Dommy, ES2, Venom or R69S (slightly different technique with that one) quite easily, if somewhat awkwardly, on the centrestand, with my left leg, standing alongside, the Laurel and Hardy bit always came with trying to simultaneously keep the motor running, and swap sides so that I could get it off the stand and mount up from the left, particularly if loaded up with camping gear etc, at rallies there was always some kind soul who would hold the bike up for me whilst I hobbled around it.

So if I can use my new knee it would be much less awkward to say the least, if not, I will manage anyway, I'm not ready for a scooter yet, being only 47.

What worries me is the possibility of damaging my prosthetic knee doing stuff it was not designed for, when I mentioned motorcycling to my orthopedic surgeon he gave me a look of severe disapproval and nothing more, I suppose those guys see more of the bad effects of motorcycling than anybody, but I've broken more bones working in industry than I ever have coming off bikes and nobody wants to let me stop doing THAT anytime soon, (since I was 18, my projected pensionable age has moved up from 51 to 68!). The problem is, with a human knee, if the ratchet slips or it kicks back at you, it will hurt for a bit, if it smashes an artificial replacement, you're off work and crippled until another operation, with a decreasing chance of success and a 3 month convalescence each time.

So does anybody know, will a relacement knee stand up to reasonable kickstarting, or should I play it safe and just not risk it?

Thanks again to all,

Niall

Submitted by gordon_johnston on Sat, 21/12/2013

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Had a chat with mywife. She adds usual caveats - only her opinion etc. Does not recommend kickstarting. If you damage/dislodge the prosthetic knee, as you are well aware, subsequent replacements are less successful. At your tender age, you really can't afford to do that. So stick to kickstarting with your good leg.

There are a surprising number of orthopaedic surgeons and nurses who are keen motorcyclists. Trying to keepNigel the surgeon and wife in sight once they opened the taps on their Moto Guzzis was always challenging.

Submitted by niall_topping on Mon, 23/12/2013

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Previously Gordon Johnston wrote:

Had a chat with mywife. She adds usual caveats - only her opinion etc. Does not recommend kickstarting. If you damage/dislodge the prosthetic knee, as you are well aware, subsequent replacements are less successful. At your tender age, you really can't afford to do that. So stick to kickstarting with your good leg.

There are a surprising number of orthopaedic surgeons and nurses who are keen motorcyclists. Trying to keepNigel the surgeon and wife in sight once they opened the taps on their Moto Guzzis was always challenging.

Thanks a lot for that, Gordon. I think thats probably the only sensible way to go. I'm saving up for an Alton E/S kit for the Velo, and hopefully, someone will come up with something similar to fit Nortons, I know there is already something like that for Goldies and Vincents,

Cheers,

Niall

Submitted by hugh_dickinson on Tue, 04/03/2014

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Niall -

Coming to this a bit late - but I had a TKR on my right leg 3.5 years ago (after 20+years misery after being knocked off my MZ (OK I admit it) by a Cortina). I start both my Velo Viper and Commando from cold on the centre stand using my left leg, and if feeling lazy use my right to restart them when warm. Keep doing the physio, get the muscles back and you'll be fine. Good luck - Hugh

Glad I've got electric start on my Jota tho'...

 


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