Does anyone know about how long the FAA makes you wait before getting your medical back after a knee replacement? My doc says I'll need one within about 5 years...

 

My guess would be after you are off any and all pain medications and are cleared by your AME. Just call your AME and ask him.

 

a few weeks!

 

Plan your surgery over the summer busy months or the holidays....

 

IDK, but knee replacements are amazingly fast and perfected these days. My dad was walking on said knee within a day when he got the 2nd one replaced a few months back. Drugged up at first of course, but I'm sure he was off the narcotic meds in a few days. Physical therapy is longer though, and possibly the deal breaker is that the flying is probably the worst thing after the surgery. I'm sure it wouldn't affect your flying, but sitting in a cockpit would probably be horrible for the post-surgery knee.

Look up FAA CAMI and put a call in to them. I'm sure they can answer your question.

 

I can't tell you what's involved with a complete knee replacement but with an ACL reconstruction, I had to get a letter from my surgeon outlining what was performed and that I was fit to return to pre op duties, a letter from my physio and then when I went to the FAA doc, I had to prove I had both strength and balance back in the leg. She submitted all he paperwork to OKC and they all they said was that if I had any issues relating to the surgery, that I had to inform them.

As far as the flying is concerned, initial V1 cuts were interesting. Look up proprioception. Amazing how quickly the body can forget simple tasks but then relearn them.

Got my class 1 about 3 months after the surgery.

Good luck.

 

I recently had meniscus repair surgery (Oct. 15) which became more involved when the surgeon got into the knee. I'm expecting to be "released" by the Doctor at the 7 week point and my Flight Surgeon has told me I should be back in business within two weeks. Once a final report is forwarded to FAA/OKC, that should be it.

Obviously, one has to have the drugs out of your system and be able to demonstrate complete knee movement without any restrictions and the ability to perform normal functions. My physical therapists signed that off last week.

Hope that helps and G'Luck Mate

 

June of 2011 I had total knee replacement, and was back flying in 4 weeks. July, 2012 I had total hip replacement and was flying 3 weeks after. If your surgery is successful and rehab on target,you should miss no more than that...................................except if you are working for a major and want more time.

 

Total Knee replacements (tkr) may sound like the silver bullet. But timing is key. The medical industry is a bit leary of saying the tkr will last much longer than 15-20 yrs (activity level/wear/tear on device is obviously important). However, statistics on success rates of 2nd tkr is much less successful, with much higher complications.

If the math works out and you're likely to need a 2nd tkr, depending on your knee issues, researching cartilage restoration could help prolong and possibly eliminate tkr. Research "denovo nt" solutions. Downside is many insurance plans don't cover procedure. However, sometimes health trumps $.

Best of luck,

 

I don't know OP's situation, but I've got arthritis stemming from a 1968 cartilage removal (left knee lateral meniscus). It started giving me trouble (soreness / mild swelling) about fifteen years ago; I was running two miles a day at the time. On the advice of an orthopod I started talking glucosamine pills and the symptoms disappeared. They haven't recurred, although admittedly I don't run as much now. Glocosamine may extend your time until the surgery becomes necessary.

I'm no expert, but I'm told the short life of certain knee products is often due to the recipient trying to do everything he / she did before the surgery (running a LOT; even gardening). Taking things a bit easier - perhaps transitioning to bicycling, for example - may extend the life of the implant. As long as you're not in pain or severely restricted in activity, waiting seems to be a good choice. The implants and surgical techniques appear to be improving continually.