Running after knee replacement

[gropious]

after 30 years of marathon running I had my knees replaced two years ago. it was totally successful = I am pain free and walking 3 to 5 miles almost every day. However I would like to start running again (5K’s not marathons) but have been advised not to. any advice or feedback?

[Ali_H]

I’ve no personal experience of joint replacement but I know my neighbour resumed skiing after hers..... she built up very slowly and steadily.

This link may be of interest. runnersworld.com/health-inj...

All the best

Ali

[Lolabridge]

A friend recently had a consultation with a private surgeon about having a knee replacement and was told he should not resume running nor play squash with a replacement knee.

He was told the purpose of the operation is to alleviate pain not full restoration of function!

[AgedCrone]

If your orthopaedic surgeon advises you not to I’d take notice! Knees don’t take kindly to further surgery after one replacement!

[gropious]

Thanks - that’s helpful and confirms what I feared i.e. no more running!

[Kags1068]

Hi

I don't know if this will be helpful, but here goes.

I had both hips replaced 32 years ago when I was 19, and both knees 15 years ago when I was 36. I had one hip revised 4 years ago.

When I had the hips done, my surgeon told me to think of them like a car engine that could do 100,000 miles. How I did those miles was in my hands and the more I looked after them the longer they would last.

The same (lovely) surgeon did my knees too. Beforehand he told me rheumatoid patients usually fared very well because we have realistic expectations and are often used to living with restrictions. Therefore we didn't tend to try and push it in terms of doing things replacements weren't really designed to withstand. The original and main purpose of hip and knee replacements was always pain relief, and if you were lucky some improvement in mobility. He said that over the years, they had almost become a victim of their success with replacements as sometimes people now had such high expectations of what it should be like afterwards that they were getting patients disappointed because they "only" had pain relief and (particularly with knees), were told not to kneel, do various sports etc. He said replacements were never intended to be an exact replica of a human joint and behave as an original healthy hip or knee would. I think he felt it wasn't always explained well enough to people and generally speaking, the people who found it most difficult were those that just had a hip or knee replaced due to osteo but little or no other problems, as those patients often felt life would be completely 'normal' again afterwards. Obviously, unless you happen to be incredibly lucky (as some people are) it isn't as hardy as before. Also, the more pressure you put on a replacement, unfortunately the earlier you will be likely to experience it wearing out and loosening, etc. Believe me, revisions aren't very pleasant, (particularly knees I'm told), and are more risky. The longer you can keep those successful replacements going, the better. I really hope this was useful to you - it was a conversation that has always stayed with me.😊

[carnegieblue73 in reply to Kags1068]

Hi, I had my left knee replaced 10 years ago and like many of those who replied was told by my consultant to quickly get my knee flexion active and slowly build up my walking etc Under no circumstances should I consider running/ skiing again because of the risks involved.As a full time PE teacher I had to adapt my lifestyle as much as possible to accommodate my new knee. I took up cycling as an alternative sport and walking further and greater distances to keep myself fit. No more rugby, football or my passion cricket which was a difficult decision. I therefore started playing golf which is now my only sport. I continue to walk and cycle and now enjoy every minute. My left knee is in great shape. I have never experienced any pain and I hope that can prevail for as long as possible.

However, I know that at some stage the replaced knee will wear out and a revision operation will be necessary. Until then I will look after my knee and continue to adapt my exercise routines as necessary.

I am aware that a number of people have had this operation and continued with some sports which they clearly love doing, but short term pleasure may lead to long term misery. I sincerely hope that your knee continues to keep you pain free and that you too can find other sporting outlet's to satisfy your needs.

I am 67 years old and have finally retired because of Covid. Prior to my knee replacement I underwent some 12 knee surgeries over a long period of time on both knees.

Good luck

[gropious in reply to carnegieblue73]

Many thanks for yours and other replies which all indicate NO RUNNING. I asked my Consultant about the life of knee replacements and was told that, with care, they should last 20 years. At 79 I suspect they will see me out!