Physical Therapist with Knee Replaceme

[UpDownPT]

Hello everyone, I'll get right to it. I have applied to PT school and am awaiting decisions. Since then, I received the news that one day, possible sooner than desired I will need a knee cap replacement. I had a major injury playing college football 12 years ago that has been limiting ever since. I have still been able to run marathons, ran over 10,000 miles and biked over 50,000 miles.

After having a scope this week which was suppose to include micro fracture, the doctor told my knee was much worse than expected. I have an inch and half hole with no cartilage on my femur where my knee cap slides. It is very thin in other places.

My question is whether I can do a PT job long term. It's not very painful if a take a Celebrex every once in a while and I still bike a lot. But if the day comes when I'm 40 or 45 and need a knee cap replacement can I still do this job? Has anybody done this job with a TKR or a PKR?

Thanks in advance

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[Fiveoboy11]

I could see being a PT in an outpatient pediatrics clinic being a problem (lots of kneeling and hyper squatting probably). Otherwise you shouldn't have a major problem.

 

[HipFan]

Totally feasible to work as a PT with TKA (assuming that is what you're referring to). Heck, it'll be your job to teach others to adapt so what better example.

 

[SymenJ]

Certainly. You won't really have any sort of trouble at your physical therapy job. And while I haven't seen anyone work as PT with TKR I am sure that you can continue your job normally. Good Luck.

 

[DesertPT]

Shouldn't be much more of an issue than it would be in any line of work.

 

[gotaspirations]

I've had multitrauma complex surgery on my knee and quadriceps twice. I have hardware in both my knee and arm. I eat healthy and almost all the time maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Take care of your body. If you want to help people rehab, you should do it.