Can you ever run again after a TKR?

Posted , 29 users are following.

Hi All!

I've just been looking at an American web site about TKRs and many of the patients are now running marathons! My consultant told me I wouldn't be able to run again and so I'd be interested to hear if I was given duff information! (Not that I have any wish to run marathons-just being able to walk is fine for me!) Glenda 10wks 5 days

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  • Posted

    Hi Glenda, I too was told that I wouldn't be able to do high impact sports like running , squash etc. not that I am athletic anyway, maybe it's better not too unless you have the perfect lightweight body, ha! 
  • Posted

    Glenda all hard wear and tear activity lessens the life of the TKR and who in their right mind would want to go through it again. Exercise will be walking and strength activities for me. I want them to last 20 + years.
    • Posted

      I totally agree as I certainly don't want another operation and as I'm 57 I need to get 20 years out of this new knee!😄 🏃

       

  • Posted

    Hi 

    i could never imagine myself running a marathon ...but I would like to walk without a limp  and to be able to wear heels again 

    I'm glad it's winter here though as I can wear my boots and not look odd biggrin

    • Posted

      It seemed a bit odd to me but thought I'd ask folks🏃I've put my shoes 👠with heels in the loft for a year but it was a good excuse to treat myself to four pairs of flat boots for winter!
    • Posted

      You've bought 1 more pair of boots than me ....great excuse to buy them biggrin
  • Posted

    Wow! Everything I have read or been told advocates against impact on legs sports. Cycling or swimming seems to be the preferred options. I ran 26 marathons and innumerable half and that's why I now have two TKR, before my latest knee in early November was cycling over 80 miles a week. Reduced from 120 because knee was finally giving out. I was very rude to an old farmer who told me I was a young idiot when I ran past his gate. Wish I had listened and could meet him now to apologise and admit he wise wiser than me.
  • Posted

    Glenda

    I live in California and had my TKR done here. Mine was the minimally invasive TKR. They did not cut the main tendon. My Doctor, Dr. Diana at the Coon Institute said he did not recommend running after I healed. My surgery was on Oct 20/2014 so I am just about as long as you. I have a 138 bend and I am quite happy with it. I can sit yoga style again. My knee is still hot so there is still inflammation. All in all I am pleased and I will be very happy just walking.

  • Posted

    Hi Glenda, my name is Tracy and I am an Aussie patient and I am 3 weeks post TKR and have also been told that there would be no running and jumping post surgery. Not that I could do that before the surgery.
  • Posted

    Hi Glenda.

    I asked the specific question, 'what will I be able to do on my new knees?'

    I was told no high impact sports such as running, squash or football.

    Cycling, swimming and moderate walking would be O.K. No long

    distance walking or climbing. I was told I would no longer be able to

    kneel, squat or ever kick my own backside again! I'll have to make do

    with kicking others! Pity really as I have enjoyed some long walks up until 2010 when the joints got so painful I had to give it up.

    My dream of completing the Wainwright Coast to Coast for a second

    time might have to be just a dream. I have lost the pain, but would dread

    anymore surgery, ever again.

    • Posted

      Hi David

      lm new to this site but spotted your message and info.

      Just like to say that lm a hill walker and was told by my surgeon l could carry on no problem

      lm four weeks post surgery and am walking 4K a day ( fairly flat) achieving  a good bend is hard but lm getting there, about 110 at present, lm just using walking poles at present but will be ditching these hopefully by week five, driving now ( carefully!!!)

      Have cut down the pain management (pills)right down to a couple a day, sleeping was the worst but is now improving ( on side with pillow between my legs)

      l think there will be some pain for a while but this is normal, their are two trains of thought with what you can and cannot do after tko, one is don't do too much! the other is the one lm going to follow and that's plenty of exercise to strengthen the knee, this will in turn strengthen the new joint and it should last as long as the other option

      lm 70 years of age now so l won't actually be doing marathons anyway!

      but cycling walking swimming etc are in my opinion fine

      some surgeons will say otherwise but they are covering themselves in case of a blame and claim

      Go for it

  • Posted

    no no no , it hurts lol, i have a friend that has been running , mad i thought , did try once and didnt like the banging about , really dont like the movement i can feel , a bit like eatting cotton wool or scraping finger nails down the blackboard , im sticking to walking smile

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