Temporarily hard aground. Will my keel fall off?

[Tayana42]

It’s not my boat but me that is hard aground. Just had one knee replaced and face 6 months recovery and rehab. Then the other knee will be replaced with a similar recovery period. It needed to be done. I couldn’t move about the boat sufficiently to sail safely without the complete overhaul of this structural system.

What I’m worried about is with so much down time will my keel fall off?

I asked the surgeon if while he is at it could he make my legs a couple of inches longer. He said not the first one but maybe the second one. That might be an advantage on a port tack but would require me to face aft when going forward on a starboard tack.

The new knees are titanium and StarBoard so they shouldn’t rust in a marine environment. Do I need zincs? I’m thinking of upgrading the second knee to include ground effect lighting (led of course) and a USB port to access all the excess energy I’ll be producing doing my PT exercises. What do you think? If I link that up to my house bank how many amp hours can I reasonably expect to put into the bank in 18 months?

[laika]

Originally Posted by Tayana42

The new knees are titanium and StarBoard so they shouldn’t rust in a marine environment. Do I need zincs?

Hmm, you know you really ought to have used G10 for that application. I think you'll find the starboard is just not hard enough to stand up to all that joint grinding.

But hey, it's your keel that's gonna fall off..

[sailorboy1]

You should look into the newer models that expand and retract. It is really helpful to able to become taller or shorter. If you ever need elbow or shoulders done and you do the same for them you will be a 4G, a Go Go Gadget God !

[RaymondR]

You are going to have hell with airport security??

[Wotname]

You need some lightening protection or stay away from stormy weather...

[Pete7]

I thought pirates had wooden legs, therefore shouldn't you be asking about varnishes and stuff?

Pete

[willk]

Originally Posted by Tayana42

What I’m worried about is with so much down time will my keel fall off?

Boredom is your enemy here - avoid the temptation to turn the retaining screw in your bellybutton and your keel should stay right where it is....

[boatman61]

Sounds more like a bilge keeler to me..
Just keep checking your bottom before settling..

[SVTatia]

I feel your pain mate! One year off, wow, you’ll need lots of books and You Tube.

Don't worry, your keel may not fall off, but you need to pay attention to your bottom…

Also, you could ask for:

1. If they are using dissimilar metals, make sure they use Tef Gel, you don’t want to go back to fix a frozen joint.
2. Rather than one short leg, an adjustable joint (bronze or stainless would do), so that you could set the windward leg shorter and walk facing forward going and coming back.
3. A knee cap insert, like the ones used on chest implants, to make it easier to keep up with the bright work.

I wish you a healthy recovery and good luck with the procedure.

[Tayana42]

Thanks everyone for the good advice and well wishes.

Hydraulic adjusters for the knees are a great idea. Why didn’t I think of that before?

Before the surgery I had my diver scrape my leg to get off any barnacles and marine growth. He asked what type of barrier coat they were going to put on. I’ll have to ask the surgeon but any advice from the forum would be welcome.

I’ve got plenty to read, including CF member Dr Cline’s new book The Wind Blew Me There and a biography of da Vinci. But with all the pain pills it’s still difficult to focus my eyes for long enough to type this entry.

Right now I have to keep a weather eye out because I start PT tomorrow. I understand it is akin to keel hauling or the rack. It’ll be a month before I can even get to the boat to check on it. Now that’s torture.

[scotty c-m]

My good friend had both knees replaced. He did great!! Hope you do too.

[JPA Cate]

Tayana42,

Well, good luck with the physical therapy. I had both knees done at the same time, and it cost about 9 months away from the boat for us. In my case, I had quit using my legs very much, so the physical therapy started from a way beginning point. They sometimes think you should quit after you can manage stairs, but doing what you can in advance of the 2nd operation, will speed that leg's recovery, so do the therapy on both legs. Even if all you can manage are isometrics, till its surgery, that will be a beginning for it, and it will benefit.

Do not be surprised at pain in the early stages of healing. The surgery stirs things up a bit. The good part is that when it's gone, it's well and truly gone, a blessing, compared to the alternatives.

So spend the efforts and reap the benefits, good luck with it.

Ann

[Tayana42]

Ann, thanks for your always kind and supportive reply. I remembered that you have been through this AND a revision surgery. I’m glad you got past it successfully. Yes I can put in the effort on the physical therapy. In fact I started doing all the PT exercises 12 weeks prior to the surgery and had been somewhat of a gym rat (as knees would allow) for a year prior. I’m actually looking forward to starting formal PT tomorrow as it will be something constructive I can do to help myself toward the goal.

[chris mac]

My uncle has had one done last year, second this June. From what I've seen from him, it's well worth doing.
My problems are farther south. I already have the main joint of my right ankle fused. The next 2 smaller joints are about 50% gone. I'll suffer through this sailing season and spend what is hopefully my last winter land locked, in surgery and pt.
Then I'm good to start live aboard shopping.
So lead the way for us that will follow.
And skip the pain pills, there's a drink called "pain killer" for a reason.

[Tayana42]

Chris Mac, Good to hear your uncle is doing well. I hope you will soon get the relief you are looking for too. Bionic is good. Good feet are necessary for boat shopping.

I got out of the ship yard (hospital) 2 weeks ago. Hope to get off the jack stands soon and be under way on my own steam.