Knee replacement and clutch
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
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From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Knee replacement and clutch
Just had a total knee replacement. Five weeks out and going through Physical Therapy. Am also looking at buying a 04 Z and was wondering how the knee will be using the clutch. Anyone had the same. Let me know. Thanx.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Piece of cake. My left knee was replaced in 1998. No problem. Hell, my daily drivers are a Kenworth T800 10 speed and/or a Kenworth W900 15 speed. Driving the manual vette is easy peasy. Therapy and relaxation going through the 6 speed. Factory clutches in these are not stiff at all. Very soft and easy. A shout out for Borg Warner.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
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From: Haymarket VA
Had my right knee replaced twice in the last four years. First one got infectedd the week after surgery. Just found out this week I've got Osteomyelitis (bad bone infection)
and it has to come out again.
You should be fine with the clutch after you're done with PT.
Good luck.
and it has to come out again. You should be fine with the clutch after you're done with PT.
Good luck.
Last edited by WKMCD; May 31, 2012 at 03:38 PM.
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Once you get through therapy, you should be fine shifting a manual tranny. If the car is nice, go for it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
You guys with knee/hip replacements: What led up to that replacement requirement? Are you overweight? run long distances? My cousin had his hip replaced but he had been running on hard pavement for years. I quit after high school and replaced long-distance running with lifecycle, machines and pumping iron. So far at 54, my joints are in good shape.
Love the Cuda's too!
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From: Norman Ok
You guys with knee/hip replacements: What led up to that replacement requirement? Are you overweight? run long distances? My cousin had his hip replaced but he had been running on hard pavement for years. I quit after high school and replaced long-distance running with lifecycle, machines and pumping iron. So far at 54, my joints are in good shape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
You guys with knee/hip replacements: What led up to that replacement requirement? Are you overweight? run long distances? My cousin had his hip replaced but he had been running on hard pavement for years. I quit after high school and replaced long-distance running with lifecycle, machines and pumping iron. So far at 54, my joints are in good shape.
Last edited by o2bnkc; May 31, 2012 at 04:55 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
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From: Haymarket VA
You guys with knee/hip replacements: What led up to that replacement requirement? Are you overweight? run long distances? My cousin had his hip replaced but he had been running on hard pavement for years. I quit after high school and replaced long-distance running with lifecycle, machines and pumping iron. So far at 54, my joints are in good shape.
I meet with the surgeon in the morning to discuss the details on the next one and treating the infection. This one is going to be very complicated and I'll probably travel to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore to get it done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Black Forest CO
You should be fine once your knee is healed up. My dad had a total replacement and drove his C4 6-speed for 10 years after the surgery (including autocrosses and track days) with no issues.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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Had my right knee replaced last November. Had my first Autocross last weekend. I had issues with getting my foot off the gas and on the brakes when I needed to. However more gas and less brake was probably a good thing.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
Thanks for your replies to my inquiry regarding why you needed joint replacements. I want to avoid surgery at all costs, so there'll be no football, skydiving, long distance running, or dirt bike racing for me. It does look like those joint replacements are not stopping you from enjoying your cars and that can be only a good thing.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 623
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From: Tsawwassen BC
Had my right knee replaced twice in the last four years. First one got infectedd the week after surgery. Just found out this week I've got Osteomyelitis (bad bone infection) and it has to come out again.
You should be fine with the clutch after you're done with PT.
Good luck.
and it has to come out again. You should be fine with the clutch after you're done with PT.
Good luck.
....too bad about the infection...hopefully you are seeing a different surgeon this time around. Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
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From: Green Garden Illinois
shfting
Had the right done 12-15-10 and my left on 03-23-11.
6 weeks later forgot about the knee and drove my nephews 331 stroker '94 Mustang. Never missed a beat! Go for it!
Smith-Nephew knees. Hit by drunk driver in 1967. My brother and his girlfriend never made it. I was 17 they were 16.
Enjoy it while you can!
RWP
6 weeks later forgot about the knee and drove my nephews 331 stroker '94 Mustang. Never missed a beat! Go for it!
Smith-Nephew knees. Hit by drunk driver in 1967. My brother and his girlfriend never made it. I was 17 they were 16.
Enjoy it while you can!
RWP
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Southwest Kansas
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Just had my left knee done 18 days ago. Just started walking without crutches yesterday. I injured mine in high school (40 years ago) and never had anything done to it. As I got older I started having more problems with it and when they wanted to fix it I said no. I should have had it fixed 12 years ago, if I had I probably would not have deteriorated to the point where it needed replacement. Oh well we have to make decisions and live with those actions.
I say go for it, your knee will recover to the point where it's as good as it can ever be.
I say go for it, your knee will recover to the point where it's as good as it can ever be.