knee replacement and aikido

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   Hi Eddie,

I know a senior sensei who has had both knees replaced and his aiki remains pretty well as it was except he no longer sits in seiza, he will take a standing bow instead.

Like you I have trained for over 20 years and had an arthritic knee (also not from aikido). I was offered a tibial osteotomy as i was too young ?(under 60) to receive a knee relacement. 3 years down the line with metal work in my knee I'm not doing so bad, but it has played havok with suwariwaza to the extent that I teach very little of it and seiza generally is extremely uncomfortable. But then it was no fun before the op either!!

Its a great shame not to be comfortable in seiza as it is an integral part of Budo and lack of suwariwaza may prevent me from further grade promotions. 

Basically don't give up! probably better to get the new knees and then make them work for you. Knee replacement technology has come a long way in recent years.

Good luck!!

Tony

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TonyH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Mar 2009 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote TonyH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: knee replacement and aikido Posted: 01 Apr 2009 at 1:35pm
	Hi Eddie, I know a senior sensei who has had both knees replaced and his aiki remains pretty well as it was except he no longer sits in seiza, he will take a standing bow instead. Like you I have trained for over 20 years and had an arthritic knee (also not from aikido). I was offered a tibial osteotomy as i was too young ?(under 60) to receive a knee relacement. 3 years down the line with metal work in my knee I'm not doing so bad, but it has played havok with suwariwaza to the extent that I teach very little of it and seiza generally is extremely uncomfortable. But then it was no fun before the op either!! Its a great shame not to be comfortable in seiza as it is an integral part of Budo and lack of suwariwaza may prevent me from further grade promotions. Basically don't give up! probably better to get the new knees and then make them work for you. Knee replacement technology has come a long way in recent years. Good luck!! Tony

Webmaster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Webmaster Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Status: Offline Points: 104	Post Options Post Reply Quote Webmaster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Mar 2009 at 2:40pm
	This will be an intresting debate, How much of your body can you get replaced and still do aikido.

eddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote eddie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Mar 2009 at 2:29pm
	Hi there all I have been doing aikido for around 20 years and for alot of that time have suffered from arthritic knees (not caused by aikido I hasten to add). I have recently been offered total knee replacement on both knees (shame they cant do the same for the brain). has anybody had one or both knees replaced and if so how did it effect their aikido.