Running after surgery

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maumeefootball

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I am still trying to gather info for my surgery and recovery. One of my main concerns is what to expect long term as far as being able to function with my new knee. Currently I run our dogs in agility which requires about a 100 yard run at a pretty good clip along with some running 360 turns. I am still able to do this with a great deal of pain ,pain killers, and braces, but I am still limping around out there. Even though my wife is sure that at any time my knee is going to snap due to the 13 degree bend it has. I also know that I only have a short time before my knees get to the point where I won't be able to handle this, so I want to get the surgery. I have talked with a couple of people who are able to continue with the sport even with both knees replaced so that gives me hope.

Am I being unrealistic in expecting to be able to run agility ? If not about how long would the healing process take until you are cleared to pursue this level of activity.
 
According to the FAQ on my OS website:
Question: What activities are permitted following surgery?
Answer: You may return to most activities as tolerated including: walking, gardening, golfing, and mild hiking. Some of the best activities to help with motion and strengthening are swimming and using a stationary bicycle. Other activities typically enjoyed are fitness machines such as an elliptical machine or Nordic Track gliding machine.
High impact activities such as running, jumping, and open field sporting activities as well as singles tennis, squash or racquetball should be avoided.Snow skiing is frequently enjoyed by patients who have a significant prior experience with skiing. It should be noted, however, that downhill skiing does pose a risk. The risk comes not from the act of skiing itself, but rather from potential injury due to a serious fall or collision with another skier. Patients should avoid black diamond slopes and moguls. If you do wish to return to skiing, be aware of the risks and ski only under good conditions. It is ill-advised to take up skiing after surgery if you have had little experience with it previously.
Best,
Crystal

 
I am 44 and used to run marathons. Have not run for 10 years due to my knee. I also did a bunch of cycling. Had TKR in November and my surgeon made it very clear that my running years are over. Especially being young. He said we want to make this knee last as long as possible and running and high impact sports shorten the life span. Not a risk I am willing to take. He gave me blessings for as much cycling as I wanted.
 
If I had to choose between no pain and running I would definitely take no pain. I don't see how you are doing it now. There are other things you can find to replace the running or maybe you could get a younger person who is interested in this sport to learn from you. Might be a way of helping some young people in your community. Animals are great when it comes to bringing people together. I pushed myself prior to my surgery like you are now and ended up having a broken tibia that had to be repaired when they did the BTKR. Turned a three hour surgery into close to six hours. Still, was the best thing I have ever done for myself and I bet a few weeks after you have the surgery you will feel the same. Good luck. Rowdy
 
My OS said that the only reason for me to run was "for my life." Running is out---cycling is in. It was a big change for me, but well worth it.

Tim C.
 
I think you have to think not about the words but the actions. This is the problem with all these guidelines. Let's assume your knee is good for 100000 hard pounding steps, if you run a marathon thats going to use up 30000. If Dr. figures that with care that knee is good for 20 years. If you go and run marathons it may only last 10. So I think the thing to ask yourself is are you running your dog 100 yards once a week. If so its probably no big deal. If for training your doing it 10x a day every day of the week it probably is.

Of course this analysis is being given by a guy that skied 3 double black diamond runs with lots of new snow and well developed moguls today. So take it for what its worth.
 
My Doc swears I'll be able to run -- only on soft surfaces and no marathons but he says regular running and maintains it will not shorten the life of the knee.

I do trust him, I have to say, he's extremely well respected in the field, does research and publishes papers etc.

It's hard to imagine it's okay but he insists.
 
Football....
I was told no more running but the treadmill is fine for "aggressive" walking in spurts and to the extent that I am comfortable without drugs!! I went through some agility stuff w/my dogs prior to reinjuring knee last winter. You may need to slow down your pace a bit but see how YOU feel as you get back on your feet. We are actually attending our first Weight Pull (I have malamutes and a husky) tomorrow with th e dogs and I am hoping to begin LIGHT training with them with my daughter and husband as helpers. I had tkr 7/14/08 and a hip scope with bone grinding (FAI plus) in Dec so this is my first attempt back at life. Our pups will just "practice" but I have a feeling I will be wiped out after that! Hopes are that both the dogs and I will get better conditioned over the next year and be in this seriously next winter!

Don't give up but realize that it may be "different" after you are healed. Respect your limitations and embrace your pain free days!

Best of Luck -
Marianne

*** EDK -
I have been told absolutely no skiing this season and I am CRUSHED but both rehab and the OSs assure me (and my very irrate daughter) that I will be back to skiing next fall :) Just absolutely NO MOGULS (and honestly - I hated them anyway - they beat the crud out of my knee b4 surgery so I have no desire to start them now - I just want to come down the mountain in fresh powder on a crystal clear day with some good music! Not too much to ask for!
Enjoy your downhills -
Marianne
 
I had TKR just 4 days ago and my surgeon does not believe in restrictions. He says if I want to run again (I'm a former marathoner) I should do it on treadmills and soft surfaces. He also says the materials in the artificial knees are now so good even the companies that make them don't really know how long they'll last.
I figures if I need a revision or whatever in 10 years == the surgery will be that much better etc. Running was a very big part of my life; my hisband still runs marathons as well as many of our friends. I will be reasonable and keep to - say - 5K races. And I won't run every day and I will try for soft surfaces and well cushioned shoes (Sauconys). But what the sense of going through all this if you can't get your life back. And if running was your life -- in any sport or fashion - I say -- just do it!
Stephani
 
I had TKR just 4 days ago and my surgeon does not believe in restrictions. He says if I want to run again (I'm a former marathoner) I should do it on treadmills and soft surfaces. He also says the materials in the artificial knees are now so good even the companies that make them don't really know how long they'll last.

I'll second that! Glad to know there is a surgeon out there with some common sense (in that he agrees with me!)

 
Thanks again for your responses. I agree that it is actions not words. When I talk about running my dogs in agility it is a controled run not a full ahead 100 yard dash. The courses for the dogs are about 140 yards and you run along beside and ahead of them directing them where to go. Over the course of a week between training and trails I would do this about 10-12 times, so it isn't reallly a matter of constant pounding. Also it's not like I am at the world team or national level. It's more of a hobby that is a big part of my life at this stage.

I am a member of some agility groups online and posted this to that group. There is actually a group devouted just to agility particapants with knee replacements and surgeries. I found several dozen who are stilll competing. One couple was a double double both had both knees done and they were still going strong.

So I plan to have the surgery, work hard at the rehab and use some common sense going back to competition. Thanks for all of your support and comments

Don Green
 
Don -
I can't remember what I wrote to you earlier and am too lazy to look back right now... Whatever I said - Just go for it with the dogs! We did our first attempt at weight pulling. i wanted my hubby to do it with the 3 dogs ( 3 different classes) but they just sort of looked at him so I ended up taking over. i won't lie - i was sore last evening when i got home but I had such fun and it felt sooooo good to be "normal" again! We can't wait to get out there and start traing so that we will have more suiccess and pull with the big boys in the future!!!

So... based on what i was able to do i am sure you will have no problem, just take it slow and relax!

Marianne
 
I talked to a weight lifter at my gym a few months ago about the idea of running after TKR and he put it this way -- that if you had a fast sport car you wouldn't leave it in the garage -- you'd drive it and enjoy it. And if a part wore out you'd replace that part. he said He felt the same way about his body. he was going to use it - and if he used something up -- he'd just replace it. Seems logical to me. The surgery and the implants themselves can only get better -- and the operation and recovery easier as time goes by -- so if you want to do something you did before --- go for it! As far as I can tell being 5 days out of surgery -- the recovery and PT is not much different than it would be for an ACL repair. and probably less difficult than for a broken leg. Not exactly fun and it does take a chunk of your life -- but it really isn't all that bad. Take it slow -- that's good advice from Marianne -- but do it.
Stephani
 
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