I had a total knee replacement. Will I be able to pack trekking poles in my carry on bag?

If you’re tracking poles, have a point on the end I don’t think even a note from your doctor it will work. You would have to be using them at that point. I’ve been to potentially fly but putting them in your carry-on because you might need them when you get there probably isn’t going to work.

As has been said, poles with points are a no-no.
We both have mobility issues and so have bought, quite cheaply, adjustable folding walking sticks.. These would fit in your back pack, have a rubber ferrule, and adjust rto 38 inches tall - possible not as tall as a Nordic walking pole, but they work very well for two people at 5'10ins.

As Carol said, if your poles have a point on the ends, even if they are covered by a blunt rubber tip, they will not be allowed. You will need to check the bag. That's not the end of the world. Or as Lin C mentioned, buy ones that onlyhave the blunt tip.

As for modifications to your touring, related to your knee; that will vary completely from person to person. Everyone heals at different rates. Everyone's capacity to handle distances, uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills will be different. The best person to ask is your physiotherapist or surgeon. At 4 months I could only manage a mile on a fairly level smooth sidewalk. My neighbour was golfing 18 holes without a cart and biking 20 km at a time.

I travel a ton (I live internationally) and have ankle issues (have had surgery and will have an ankle replacement down the road). As others have said, trekking poles in carry on won't be allowed. Have you considered bringing a pair of crutches? Mine fold up and you can bring them in addition to your carry on. They've been handy for hikes/ long walks as well as while in the city. And four months post-surgery, they'll offer a lot more support than trekking poles will.

On another note, what modifications, if any, did you make during your travels to account for your still healing knee (I will be traveling at 4 months post surgery)? I'm grateful for any ideas!

This is not the same, but I tore my meniscus while traveling in Ireland last year. I was able to finish the trip with a good knee brace and crutches. It was a very supportive brace with hinges and it really helped keep my knee stable.

When I traveled later in the year after four months of PT, I brought a good supply of Alleve and the knee brace. I didn’t need to use the brace on that trip. I’m planning on bringing a supportive knee sleeve on future trips just in case I need it.

Always check official sites
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/hiking-poles
Blunt tips, yes
Sharp tips, NO

I too was worried about traveling after my knee replacements. I had to travel at 5 weeks post op, but just a 2 hour flight. Still just not being at home made me nervous but I was fine with a cane. Then we went to Iceland and Amsterdam at 4 months post op and had no issues whatsoever. I did not need a cane or any pain meds, not even Tylenol. I had the other knee done just a couple weeks after we got home. I know everyone’s recovery is different but I share mine to give you some encouragement.

I have also travelled long haul about 4 months after a knee replacement. I was warned to move about during the flight and to wear flight socks (apparently one is still at risk for blood clots). The flight and walking around generally were ok, but I found the aftermath of the flight and the travel itself much more exhausting than I normally would, so perhaps be aware of pacing yourself in case they affect you too?

My husband has folding hiking poles he uses as walking sticks. Wr fold them and put them in his backpack and have not had any problems.

This doesn't address your specific question, but maybe it will help folks avoid the mistake I recently made.

I have a terrific set of hiking poles. They, however do not even fold into a medium suitcase. We recently traveled to Australia and flew carry on size bag only, which I checked because of Jetstar's luggage limits. I purchased poles that folded smaller from Amazon. When I tried to use them in Australia, we couldn't get them to stay fixed once unfolded. My husband is an avid camper/backpacker, so he has experience, but neither of us could figure them out, so I didn't have poles to use. I ended up not desperately needing them, but they would have helped.

My husband's most helpful comment was, "equipment should always be tested before traveling". Well, he was a Boy Scout, I was not!! The poles are likely defective, and past the return time limit. I just got the idea that I should take them into REI, where we are members and frequent customers and see if they can determine the issue.

As another aside, I also have "funky knees", though I do a lot of hiking. I decided I didn't need them for the short to mid range hikes we planned for Hawaii. Well, it has been raining there, A LOT!! After a few days closure, the trail on the Napali coast did open but there were a few muddy slick areas. I fell, badly. Another hiker insisted I use his pole for the rest of the hike. It made a huge difference and I don't think I'll be hiking again without poles!

@Jules....excellent advice from your husband. We've got several sets of poles around the house. There is one set that needs to be thrown away because it does not always stay extended so I know exactly what you mean. We just need to pitch them out as soon as we come in from attempting to use them otherwise we forget which ones they are.

And yes, REI might be able to troubleshoot for you.

After I busted up my knee and had metal put in, I needed some type of support, at least on occasion.

I have routinely traveled with a pair of hiking poles, either using one and one in my carry-on, or both in my carry-on.

The set I have (I bought in Germany) fold down to less than 16", and have a flat carbide tip that will grip in rock, plus a rubber cap for street walking.

TSA does allow the blunt tip poles, especially if they are a walking aid. Of course, any final decision is up to the individual agents.

While not this brand, my poles (and the tip) are similar to these: https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/quest-cork-folding-trekking-poles-23queucrkfldngtrkcac/23queucrkfldngtrkcac?sku=24039812&camp=CSE:DSG_2385384643675_pla_pla-2385384643675_139387230222_18513991327&segment=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18513991327&gbraid=0AAAAADv4bTZI-HrzJ1HnWdCg3PTnU70I7&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7IjOBhDyARIsAFzrWQwSI2wixucP4AU4IDnBT5HrGawJKmWVhF7EMnaJI0nn8vcF2Xi-cLMaAvLoEALw_wcB

Note this important statement on TSA website regarding blunt tip poles:

The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is
allowed through the checkpoint.

You could have the bluntest of blunt poles but the agent decides what passes through. No doctor note will help you there. Instead of worrying about yours being confiscated, consider purchasing an inexpensive pair when you arrive in Germany. Decathlon is an often mentioned store that carries outdoor equipment.

And of other modifications, bring several sturdy ziplock bags to use as ice packs along with whatever pain reliever works best for you. If that happens to be a highly regulated med like an opioid, be sure to keep in original container and bring your written Rx.

@Pam, yes, but perhaps selected a different moment to provide his opinion!

Recent discussion on hiking poles in carry-on bags

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/beyond-europe/hiking-poles-6cb450c7-1e1f-4a78-8f8f-2ddd289c5b80

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions!

Maureen,
Just a hopeful note....at four months post-surgery you may do better than you think. Of course, be prepared, but with each of my TKRs (done a year and a half apart) I was walking pretty well after 4 months, and although the swelling may take a good year to go down, the pain lets up way before that. You may only need Tylenol by 4 months and, except for stairs, your walking may be quite good. Perhaps just a cane will suffice, for balance more than support. No problem taking a regular cane on the plane.
Everyone is different of course, but I hope your recovery is quick and full. In my case, I was very strict with myself about all the exercises the PT therapist gave me and I must say that they know their business. My knees were done at age 78 and 80, just fyi. Wew were in Provence, Paris and the Dordogne 7 months after my first surgery, so your 4 months is closer. My only real difficulties were the uphill trek to Castelnaud and getting out of the kayak after a ride on the Dordogne River. It wasn't a pretty sight! I will keep my fingers crossed for you that all goes well. Have hope!

So, so helpful, thank you, Judy!! I am doing my PT every day. Still, at 69 years old, this is a harder recovery than I've had with previous surgeries. I'm really looking forward to traveling pain-free again :)

I have mobility issues. I purchased the cheap trekking poles that Costco has in the spring. We cut the points off, and smoothed the ends. I have brought them through TSA several times now. If I take them totally apart , I can fit them in my Rick Steve's rolling suitcase. I used them in the UK 2 years ago.

Judy--I am giggling, not at you but with you at the getting out of a kayak sight. The first time I kayaked after having both done just 6 and 10 months prior, I knew I couldn't get out on my own without getting soaked. It was cold out and my knees were stiff. Thankfully my daughter was with me and she knew that look and helped me before anyone else in the group noticed. Now though, no problems with it!

Lol. Not quite the same, since I was in no danger of getting soaked, but about 6 months after my replacement I got stuck trying to get out of the Matterhorn car at Disneyland. It took my daughter on one side and a ride attendant on the other to lever me out. We all had a good laugh.

Jules, my folding poles assemble very differently than my other two sets of poles. ( I saved the instructions.) Try assembling the pole straight, and then pull out a concealed section closer to the handle. On mine there is a hidden bolt then pops out and locks the pole into place. At that point the pole is sturdy and the length can be adjusted. To break the pole down I just need to open the fliplock and press the bolt to pull the sections apart.

A question for everyone: Where do you buy a set of poles with blunt ends?

@mnannie, thank you! I think my poles are slightly different, but your comment made me give the poles and the directions a second look. The directions are crap (though I never read them) but when I looked at Amazon for reviews, I found a few videos, and bam! I'm annoyed I didn't revisit the poles before my recent trip to Kauai where I took a really bad fall. A fellow hiker (hikers are good people) insisted I use his pole for the rest of the rocky, slippery hike. Boy, what a difference a pole makes! It also made me realize, that in many cases, one pole is enough and maybe even better than working with both, or at least for me.

I went to Europe two and a half months post total knee replacement and took a collapsible cane with me. Easy to get through TSA as I showed them that I had knee surgery and I was using it to walk. And it fit easily into my carry-on bag. I was glad that I had extra support for those times standing in line.

I have taken my one, cheap rubber-tipped folding cane in my carryon before. Because it's not a trekking pole (sports equipment) but a medical device. And I show it to the first screener and ask what she thinks first. Then it's strapped on the outside of the carryon so it's clearly visible. TSA doesn't know your doctor or her signature, so a letter may or may not help. Will you have a card to show for your metal knee? That might be enough if asked.

Or bite the bullet and check a bag. There are also sticks for sale there if worst case happens.

Yay! Jules, I'm glad to read you figured out your poles. I realized how important poles are for me when I slide down a steep path in the Dolomites. I'm putting a pair in the car right now for next week's trip to the Black Hills.

Some other suggestions for you, based on my husband traveling five months after a compound fracture (he decided that the mental health benefits of us still taking our trip outweighed the changes that we had to make while on the trip) and back issues I have had in the past.

Do not hesitate to request accommodations when needed, whether on a flight, at a museum, etc. Many museums have folding cane / chairs available for use. Not every room in a museum has chairs or benches, so for me when I needed to sit, having the folding chair was invaluable. My husband took a cane, and didn't always need it, but took it just in case. Museum personnel were very observant in moving him to the front of the line when they saw the cane, even though he wasn't asking.

Make sure you know whether your lodging has elevators, and whether there are stairs at the entrance, if that will matter to you. Again, people were very helpful. I had to contact already-booked hotels to make sure my husband could get around, and the personnel were very helpful in telling me how many steps were at the building entrance (not an issue for him, but a deal-breaker for some people).

Depending on how your recovery goes, think of your knee as having a finite numbers of steps that it can take in a day. Then decide how you want to allocate those steps.

This is very helpful! Thank you, Lexma!