TKR Playing soccer and baseball again

[wilsonma]

@Jamie I finally got round to taking a pic.
I had my one year follow up with my surgeon last Thursday. The Xray was good and he was happy with the feel of my knee. On the Sunday following, I played in my soccer finals and my team won the cup. This is the first time in 10 years I have been on the Finals winning team - pretty good considering, I thought my playing days were over!
That is the pic I have posted (I am the guy with the crazy hair).
I started off the soccer season, in April at 6 months post TKR, playing conservatively but at the end I was running freely and scored one of my best goals ever with my new knee!. In many games, this season, I stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.
So my surgeon gave me the "all clear" and said come back and see me in 2-3 years. I will make it 2 as some good advice I got on this site, told me to get regular Xrays to ensure the spacer hasn't worn badly...
I am now heading down at lunch time for indoor soccer and we have some "new recruits" playing(25 year olds) but the old guy/new knee can handle them-lol.
Anyway, for any of you sporty guys, there is hope to get back to the sport you love and thanks again Bonesmarties, for all the advice!

 

[Celle]

Congratulations, @wilsonma . I'm glad everything has worked out so well for you.

 

[SusieShoes]

Wow! Congratulations! I remember reading your thread before my knee replacements back in May, and thinking "This guy is either crazy, or replacement knees are more awesome than I think." I now know they're awesome, and totally admire your "conservative" at first approach to getting back into a sport you love. How wonderful that you can still play!

 

[skigirl]

Congratulations, being on a winning cup team is big!!! Be careful with indoor soccer, especially on artificial turf. I found hat my foot stuck to the turf and I had some spectacular falls. Two women from my team ended up with bad sprains too.

 

[sistersinhim]

This is what new knees are all about!! Great going!

 

[kneeper]

Great to hear things are going so well!

 

[Jamie]

Which one are you in that great photo???

 

[wilsonma]

@Jamie I am the one with the crazy hair...thanks everyone for the comments - and the Bonesmart way, is the only way to go. I have had several people at work ask me for advice for family and friends. Of course I recommend Bonesmart and our way of rehab. I cringe when I hear of their people being put through the crazy physio and the pain that goes with it...
@skigirl my outdoor season is finished now and I play indoor in a wooden floor gymnasium so I don't have the turf to contend with until later in the year. Every Boxing day and New Years day we have tournaments in a Dome with turf- you are right, many of our players do trip and fall until they get used to the turf again.

 

[JDP]

Hi @wilsonma! I just read your entire thread and you have inspired me. I have had little pain but my insomnia has been causing me some significant problems, and I still can't get a revolution on the bike. My palms are sore from banging the handle bars in frustration! I, too, am a gym rat, teach fitness / personal train, so really miss those endorphins. I also hope to get back to curling. Yes - you have inspired me and given me hope. THANK YOU!

 

[KarriB]

Fabulous! I'm so happy you've been able to play the beautiful game again!

 

[wilsonma]

Thanks everyone and @JDP just take it slowly. I went back to the gym pretty early but I had "sticking" points too. Just listen to your knee and increase your workouts slowly.
I started biking after @skigirl put me on to that and I found it would hurt sometimes, so I just backed off and biked longer and with higher tension when I felt the knee was stronger. My plan this off season is to build up my quads by squatting more - but I will be careful.
Curling? isn't that just an excuse to have a drink?

 

[JDP]

Sorry for the delay.
Lol re curling. Actually I play second so it is quite a workout! I've been rowing at the gym, using the recumbant bike, going to the pool, and sleeping so life is much better. Hope your recovery is going well too.

 

[wilsonma]

it's now been 20 months since my replacement and I am playing 3 games of soccer and one softball per week. I go to the gym and I am still squatting but stay light with more reps.
I have had a few friends at work that have had TKR's as well and I have loaned out my Cryocuff with rave reviews about that little cooler!
I have told everyone to follow the Bonesmart way and tell them not to worry about some of the normal things we hear. How many degrees? etc.
I just recommended someone to this site today and thought I should check in and hopefully offer hope to some of those "sporties" having a TKR- it's not the end!

 

[Jaycey]

@wilsonma well done on getting back to living! And thanks for recommending BoneSmart. We very much appreciate your support!

 

[KarriB]

Wow! You’re doing just fabulously! Good to hear you’re back to your life!

 

[NavyGunns]

@wilsonma, your update was a great read for me! To see what you are now able to do after 20 months post TKR gives me great hope for a similar outcome from my PKR (currently 5 weeks post-op). I’m impatient at times, but also aware enough to know better (sometimes the hard way)

Thanks

NG

 

[Ceegee]

It's so encouraging to read stories like yours! I'm delighted for you - congratulations on a great outcome.

 

[skigirl]

I am glad that you wrote you story!!

 

[kneeper]

Thanks for the update.