A new runner?

[Jojo]

I had a knee replacement done 3 years ago. I've recovered well....some swelling and pain here and there, but nothing major.

I've always been an avid walker, but in the last year I have been doing a lot more, often walking between 5 and 10 miles per day. I try to never miss a day. I am slowly transitioning to running, and would like to be able to eventually run in 5k road races.

Do you think this is possible for someone who never ran before having a knee replacement? I have never done any running. Now when I am walking I feel my body wanting to go faster sometimes. I feel the urge to run when I am feeling really good.

Thoughts? Tips?

Btw, I am new to this forum--hello!

Jojo

 

[Josephine]

Hi there, Jojo, and welcome to BoneSmart. I moved your thread into the Knee Recovery Discussions as it was in the "social club" forum.

This is an interesting problem you pose. There is a suggestion that people who have never undertaken certain activities like skiing and running before the op shouldn't do it after. And some surgeons expressly forbid running after any kind of knee replacement.

The theory is, I believe, that the impact on the prostheses would be that much greater when running and the danger of loosening therefore increased. I think you should contact your surgeon and ask his advice before you engage in this. He just might say 'okay'!

 

[Jojo]

Thank you for moving my post. I thought the recovery forum might be just for those who are currently recovering from surgery. Good advice to ask my surgeon. What you suggest makes sense. I hope he gives me the green light. Before the surgery I never felt strong enough. Thanks again.

Jojo

 

[referee54]

It may differ from surgeon to surgeon and from patient to patient...but my surgeon told me that the only running that I could do was "for my life." I cycle now and am into low-impact stuff. Not only could you loosen the prosthesis, but you may also cause undo wear and tear on it, as well.

Tim C.

 

[edk]

Did you ever think of racewalking? A good racewalker can do 4-5 mph and
there is no pounding on the knee. It would allow you to do all the non-competitive
running kinds of things (10K's, even marathons) without the pounding.

 

[Skeet]

My OS also advised no running (not that I had any intention or desire to run - except for my life or my kids/pets). Walking was advised along with swimming and any low impact sport (are there any low impact sports that are fun?). Said I could do doubles tennis now and then, but I only know one other person who likes to play tennis...

I still cannot kneel on my involved knee. It is painful. I see the doctor on Wed, Jo, should I mention that or is that expected a year later?

 

[JudyS]

Jo Jo
As far as running. I was an obsessive runner for my whole adult life. My favorite place is on mountain trails. My hip surgeon had me promise him I would give up running after my hip was replaced. The same reason some folks on the knee side said, it will wear out the joint faster. I am 51 and my doc said he expects these implants to last a lifetime. I guess unless they are overused.
Judy

Skeet
I would tell your doc every little twinge you feel at yoour upcoming apt.
Judy

 

[Jojo]

Thank you for all the replies. You folks make perfect sense, and I think it would be too much wear and tear on my now not so new knee replacement. I've had a great 3 years with it---why risk it all? Someone mentioned racewalking, and that is basically what I have always done. I will ask my doc anyway, but I think common sense tells me that running would be just too much pounding. I do not want to go back to square one, or eve further back. When I read what some people have had to deal with recovery wise, I ealize that I have had a relatively easy time of it. I just wish I could really firm up my legs with walking the way one can with running. No mattter how much walking I do, that beautiful muscle tone does not develope.

Jo

 

[Josephine]

What about gym work? Plenty of opportunity there to build up those muscles!