Can you ever run again after a TKR?

Well I can happily say that there is a sporting life following TKR. I'm hitting golf balls regularly, pain free, I even managed a 6 mile walk round the course at the weekend, although I was a bit sore the next day. I'm seeing a physio today for some massage tips as my knees still don't feel as if they belong to me, suffering from the constrictive band type feeling. My knees occasionally click when walking, I get tired more easily and I still use a pillow between the knees for sleeping although I still have the odd sleepless episode during the night. 

I'm haven't had any surgery yet, but I've been told no running, which saddens me because I was running to and from work most days, getting faster, until I participated in a fall walking challenge with 25 to 30K steps a day.  I slowly recovered over the course of six months, but I too gained weight.  (10 pounds)  If I lose twenty pounds, I might try a very short conservative jog...but I don't see me losing the weight.  It's hard not to think about food.  I did participate in the spring walking challenge,and my goal was to improve my weekly steps, or stay the same.  After a bike ride (27 mile) and a 6 mile walk, I couldn't walk the next day, fortunately, I recovered quickly.  I can't figure out what is good activity, what is too much, what is too little.  I biked 58 miles a week ago and 27 miles yesterday.  I didn't seem to bothered by the 58 mile ride, but today my old hamstring made the walk to work exceedingly slow.  Although my knees are shot, the hamstring injury keeps haunting me.  At one point after the original injury, I could curl my leg under me while sitting, but now it is inflammed again,  and even the thought of curling my leg under me makes me wince.

I hope you keep losing weight and get plenty of sleep/rest.  In physical therapy I was told to "walk more lightly"...but it seemed impossible, maybe due to the injury?

Hi everyone

?I am a little shocked at the negativity people have been given surrounding a TKR or a THR and high intensity exercise. I have had upper disc replacements, two TKR's and a THR. All of these procedures have been in the last few years. Prior to surgery I played Racketball avidly and I also spent time on the treadmill at the Gym. I purposely ignored the advice about going back to my old sports for one simple reason; there is not ONE bit of proof to show that high intensive exercise after a TKR or a THP can damage the prosthesis. In fact, the only recent surveys to be found show that high intensity activities actually improve the implants. I am playing Racketball again, and my THP was only 4 months ago. Believe me I went through hell, especially with 2 TKR's, but I was absolutely determined to get on top of these things I own them, they do NOT own me. Now then, before anyone says I am lucky or blessed genetically, I will tell you I actually have weak bones. I have to take daily prescribed supplements for them. I am also no spring chicken. I am 61 years old. I also do not just go through the motions of a game of Racketball. I play to win, and I play at a good club standard. The way I looked at it all was that I was not going to go through all the grief of post op problems just to give in and change my life in a way I just would not enjoy. I even refused the crutches I was given and did furniture walking until I was stronger. There is no secret to getting back to how you were. The solution is looking everyone right in the face. You have to want it badly enough. You have to push harder than you have ever pushed. The rewards are great. There is no feeling like coming off a Court soaked in sweat. It is one hell of a natural fix. Regarding high impact sports and what I have mentioned, should anyone doubt what I have aid, all I would say is please show me the official proof that running, Racketball etc damages the new joint and I will hold my hands up and say I am wrong. However, it won't stop me pushing on. We only pass this way once.

I had a TKR in one knee about 12 months ago and started cycling to strengthen my leg. Everything worked just fine and I have experienced no problems at all. 

I used to run 2 or 3 miles about 5 days a week before the surgery and would like to start running again. However, I was told by  my surgeon that I should not run. Based on your experience, I am thinking of going back to running.

How long have you been playing racquet ball since TKR in both your knees? Are you still able to continue or have you experienced any problems yet?

Thanks for any info you can provide

Bruce, Calgary

Hi Bruce

?Great to hear you are pushing ahead. I am playing Racketball (not the American version), since about 6 months after the second TKR. Prior to getting back to Racketball, I was doing hard interval training on the stationary bikes. My Physio is really excellent, and he told me interval training would help improve the "fast twitch" muscles. I also do regular strengthening of both knees and go through quite painful exercises to keep on top of them both. After every session, I religiously ice both knees for about 30 minutes, and then before bed I rub in anti-inflammatory cream. Honestly Bruce, the tide is slowly turning regarding high impact sports. A recent study has shown that high impact participants fare better over a 6 year period. Now the Specialists are saying 6 years is too early. They would say the same if it were 10 years. I did have problems moving around on Court at first. I just could not make the drop shots, but I persevered, and now I am back to how I was playing. I love it. I still see people on crutchs or a walking stick who had similar operations to me at about the same time period, and I personally believe it is because they are scared to death to push themselves due to Surgeons being terrified of any kind of claim against them.

?My personal advice would be to give it a go Bruce, but be fully prepared for early setbacks - and please ice and cream the knees regularly. There is a famous marathon runner who has had 2 TKR's and he is back again. His name escapes me, but I am sure Google would bring it up if you entered different suggestions. I do know he was a very proficient American runner who actually represented the USA.

?I now play Racketball twice weekly, and I have 2 bike sessions weekly. After each session, I go through the same exercise and ice and cream regime. If you look after them and maintain them, I bet you will be up and running within 3 months of starting - depending upon your determination and self belief.

Good luck Bruce. Please let me know how you go.

Regards:-Hugh.  

Thanks for the info, You have given me some hope and I really appreciate it! My main concern is getting out of shape and gaining weight.

I will see if I can find any info on the marathon runner and send you the link if I find anything.

I am going to try jogging short distances at first and let you know how it goes.

Bruce

Hi Bruce

Just seen your blog as it were with Hugh, l can give you briefly my take on tkr, l had it done Oct 2016, lm a young 71year old 

Prior to the op l was mountaineering every week, along with treks and daily dog walking, after 12 weeks post op l was up mountains in the Lake District climbing mountains

I live in N Wales close to Snowdonia National Park and up the mountains every week or so

The knee is very good, l still do 10 min stationary bike and knee bends to ensure a good degree of bend, now about 120 deg which is fine for me, but it’s one of the most important parts of the re hab program 

My knee is now very good, l might get a bit of soreness if l have a big day in the mountains

My surgeon said to carry on with everything I’d been doing but taking it slowly, l don’t run and l suppose that’s the big question mark about running with a new knee, if it was to fail l think it would be with too much running but, some surgeons now say it’s ok

If l was a keen runner l would do short runs and mix it with a bike for fitness then in time increase the time but don’t hammer it early (says me 😉

Exercise is king though keep at it 

 Richard

Hi Bruce

?That's great news. I had to lose weight after my TKR's as I was inactive for a while. My biggest vice was sugar, but I have finally overcome that and am a good weight for my height and build. Please remember to look after the knees as well Bruce. It can be a bit monotonous icing etc, but as it becomes part of your routine it is much easier.

I do have information somewhere on the marathon runner. I will dig it out and get back to you.

Regards:-Hugh.

Thanks for your comments and good advice. I am 73 and have been active my entire life. I am going to try running short distances and see what happens.

Bruce

Hey, I hear you about the sugar. I am a real hard core carbohydrate addict too. Donuts, pastry, chocolate, pie, you name it, I am addicted!. I make sure to keep refined carbs out of the house and stay away from them (with occasional lapses).

Bruce

hi Debbie -- i ran quite regularly before TKR....but nearly always on a treadmiill and i needed 2-3 days to recover. Then one day, in 2014, my knee could not straighten and i knew i needed a TKR. So i could not run at all for maybe 28 months. I had bad soccer injuries in my 20s and that's what started the downward slide. Before the TKR, i had two ACL reconstructions and 7 surgeries all told - scopes, clean ups. I had experimental stuff too - not sure if it made much of a difference.  My surgeon is in NYC, Dr. Steven Harwin....he is very well established. He told me i could run post TKR - but to take it slow. I was surprised, because i had heard that running was a no-no.  But i am running on it. There is still some mild discomfort -- but only below the patella area and very, very tolerable...i am very happy about this.

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Regards,

Alan

Hi Sean - hope you dont mind me contacting you.  I am 7 weeks post TKR and was wondering how the running is going for you...I was a runner prior to op and feeling really miserable about never running again.  I wasnt running far, 10k's usually, but even doing a 5k would make me more than happy.  Hope things are going well for you.

Karen

Hi Karen

You should be ok running 5 ks take it easy at first

Get a bike as well and get some miles in

I'm 6 weeks post tkr a young 70 and walking 2/3 miles a day with a view to get back up the mountains asap

Get the knee strong and it should last

Richard

Hi TRK,

As a young 65yrs Triathlete, I am now facing a TKR on my right knee. I have been told its a "must" and so am trying to prepare myself for the knife!!. I am confused a bit as the Surgeon and specialists say NO RUNNING POST OP. I am so dedicated  to tri, that I believe I can get back to running, after a year of Rehab etc. I only do the Olympic Distance and Sprint Distance Tri., 5km and 10km Runs here. 

I keen to know how you are getting on, how much "slower" you are post Operation, and how the knee and pain is in general.

Thanks alot. Cheers.

Kiwi Boy from N.Z. 

Hi there

I'm now about 5 months on from TKR, I'm back walking the hills in Snowdonia where l live, did Snowdon in the snow and was 👍 ok, taking it easy

A lot of the pain has now gone, still doing my exercises ( not quite as many though!) no painkillers except maybe one if I'm doing a big walk

I've had my last meet with the sergeon and told him what l was doing he said ok 👌 with care, he did say try not to run !!!! but l don't think they are sure about running, some say ok a lot say no but there is a general lean towards no 🏃 running

There's a Yorkshire man who's just had both done and he's been back to marathons!!

If your 65 now? and it's your life I'd go for it, the shorter 5k ones, build up slowly it's really important to get the whole leg strong again, if it only lasts ten years you have another one then get your pipe and slippers out

Let me know how you get on

Richard

Hi richard, 

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes I am 65 and loving it.!! No thought of slowing up at all, and in fact, want to go faster !!!. Am so super addicted to Tri and racing at the top World Age Group competition. Am ranked around the top 10.  Really looking forward to going to Rotterdam this year and having a "crack" at it. 

You have given me some top inspiraration to "give it a go" for a bit longer, and then when I have the Operation, carefully build back up, and then compete again.

Thanks heaps for the encoragement and support.

Cheers, 

 Shorty from "Down Under".

Good for you, go for it

We're only around once and you know what they say it's not a rehearsal!

Richard

Cheers for that, and having a nice laugh too!!. Will keep up my local "cement pills" as we say here, that make us "harden up" and compete. 

All the Best, 

Cheers, 

 Shorty,.

I am interested more about you and your Results from Running ands times etc. I am due for a TKR, but am holding off , as i have been told NO RUNNING- NO TRIATLON after I have the TKR. I do not believe the Medical advice about No Run , after TKR. 

Your advice and commebnts would be much appreciated. Thanks. Cheers.