How soon after TKR surgery can you go swimming?

[CaliGirl]

I really am a water baby, and since here in Los Angeles I can pretty much count on late May and Early June being swimming weather, I was wondering if I'm being too ambitious. I'm having my surgery May 2. I'm hoping by the the 4 week mark that I'll be able to drive to my Mom's and go swimming with her. How realistic is that?

Also, besides actually swimming laps, are there other gentle exercises or stretches I can do in the pool? Anything I should avoid?

As always, thank you in advance for your responses.

 

[Dawni]

I think as long as your scare is healed and you do jental with your legs it will be fine. But do check with your insurance if you can drive at 4 weeks my last knee I was advertised not to drive untill 6 weeks. X

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[waitingtogarden]

As said, your incision must be healed. Check with your OS to be sure. Your PT should be able to give you specific exercises to do. Be sure to not overdo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[referee54]

I would talk to your OS about the time-table for swimming. You have to keep in mind that, at four weeks, while your incision should be healed, your muscles may not be quite strong enough yet to manage full-scale swimming.

Many people will admit, after their surgery, (myself included) that the leg muscles atrophy fairly quickly during the TKR recovery, and it will take time to regain strength, stamina, and muscle tone.

I would approach swimming rather carefully so that you do not give yourself a setback, as, at four weeks, you are just moving on from the "Dark Days of Recovery."

 

[CaliGirl]

I would talk to your OS about the time-table for swimming. You have to keep in mind that, at four weeks, while your incision should be healed, your muscles may not be quite strong enough yet to manage full-scale swimming."

That does make a great deal of sense. Maybe I should rephrase the question to "How soon after surgery can I enjoy getting into the pool, floating around a bit, and maybe gently walking back and forth in the water?"

 

[newlybionic]

It would be up to your OS to let you know when your incision has totally healed. Sometimes there are small spots along the incision that seem to not close as soon as the rest. Everyone is different.

 

[Celle]

I agree with referee54. I think 4 weeks is being rather optimistic. At that stage, you'll still be feeling the effects of the Energy drain for TKRs which will make you very tired with even one extra activity per day.

You'll only just be coming out of that first month, which we call "the dark days of recovery".
You could well still be taking medication for pain and probably will only just have stated driving again.

Perhaps you need to read this:
Activity progression for TKRs

I know that sounds like a real bummer, but recovery from a TKR is a long process.. Complete recovery of all your soft tissues takes a full year. Your knee needs lots of rest during the first few months of recovery, so it can start its healing without being irritated or inflamed.

When you do start swimming again, only do the scissors (freestyle) leg kick at first. The whip kick of breaststroke is very hard on a new knee.

 

[Celle]

aybe I should rephrase the question to "How soon after surgery can I enjoy getting into the pool, floating around a bit, and maybe gently walking back and forth in the water?"

You could do that, gently, as soon as your incision is completely healed, with no scabs or open areas. Sometimes that takes longer than we wish for, but you wouldn't want to run the risk of introducing any infection.

 

[referee54]

I would talk to your OS as well as your PT folks as to when you can go back into the pool.

They should be able to give you some "caveats" and what you will be able to do.

Maybe I should rephrase the question to "How soon after surgery can I enjoy getting into the pool, floating around a bit, and maybe gently walking back and forth in the water?"

Again---just make sure that the incision is full closed. Let your OS look at it and give you the OK to move forward.

 

[charmed-life]

If your OS says you are healed enough to soak it, go for it! Obviously you don't plan any real swimming exercise...I was in a pool in Costa Rica about 6 weeks after my original surgery and it felt wonderful - I could walk when in the water and everything felt better! Too cold here in Minnesota to think about outdoor pools now but we are going to a hotel for the weekend with whirlpool in room - can't wait! I am now two months out from surgery and was okay we at 5 week check to soak all I want.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[PolarBear60]

My PT was thrilled to hear I had access to a pool and gave me a handful of exercises to do. I found the gentle pool work helped loosen the knee and gave me more comfortable flexibility. I think I started my pool work about 8 weeks out, but I would have been cleared to begin sooner. Probably around five weeks. Be careful not to overdo. You won't notice it until you try to get out of the water and feel like you can't pull yourself up the steps or ladder.

Check with your OS at your first follow-up for the water guidelines. It sounds like even if you're just standing in the water and gently bending your knee, you'll enjoy yourself.

 

[ThatOneGirl]

I had several PT sessions in the pool at my PT center after a bad accident. It really helped me regain strength and flexibility in my leg. But when it came time to climb the stairs to get out, I felt like I weighed 500 pounds!

 

[swmrgirl]

My OS let me get back in the pool at 6 weeks, when my incision was completely closed. I was back in the pool in no time.

 

[luv2ash]

I asked my OS this question as we have a pool and hot tub, and I love being in it. He said about three weeks, as soon as the wound is healed.

 

[Celle]

"As soon as the wound is healed" is the supremely important factor. If there is still the slightest break in your skin surface, or if there are still scabs, you do run the risk of introducing infection, particularly in a public pool.

 

[lunula]

At the 4-week mark, I was *just* able to start going up the stairs in my home. I was, apparently, a slow healer and my pain wasn't under control for the first week or so, but even if my incision had been completely healed (I honestly don't remember if it was a the 4-week mark) I wasn't steady enough, and in too much pain, to have even considered getting into a pool.

I unfroze my YMCA membership 8 weeks after my surgery, and I think I got into the pool a week or two after that.

 

[referee54]

Later on, well into my recovery, I used a large whirlpool at the gym to gain ROM. I used ti to stretch my quads and my hamstrings.

 

[pdx]

I got back in the pool at 6 weeks or so. Heaven!

 

[ironclm]

At my six-week postop appointment my surgeon said go for it for the swimming. I started out in the warm pool that had the little stairs you could walk down and I did a lot of walking back-and-forth. I did that for a good week or more until I went into the regular swimming pool. Even then I was pretty tentative swimming, especially kicking. And I still have to use the ladder to get out of the pool 7.5 months later (competition pool).


TKR 08/26/15

Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[dusthim]

I only started feeling ok, pain free at 9 weeks, and I asked my PT today about swimming and she said I should consult my O.S., as there is possibility of infection if you swim in a public pool. I have had a relatively slow healing; but at 4 weeks I couldn't do anything but try to stop the pain! I'm at 15 weeks now and finally able to walk with just a cane. It hasn't been easy that's for sure! I love the water but will listen to what O.S. says.