TKR TKR and Return to Sports (RTS)?

[SteveMinSD]

Sorry for posting such a general question, but I did several searches and didn't see any similar threads.

I had my meniscus removed almost 40 years ago as part of a knee reconstruction involving my MCL and ACL. About 10 years ago my orthopedist recommended at TKR but I decided to manage the pain rather than give up sports. I may be at the end of that road, but still hope to return to sports (soccer, tennis, volleyball) after TKR. Is this the right place to discuss people's experience with this?

I am in the Unites States, San Diego specifically, but would travel to find a good fit with a surgeon if necessary. I am just beginning research in earnest. What are reasonable expectations? What surgeons are on the cutting edge of embracing the return to sports? How have their results been relative to risk? Any guidance would be much appreciated!

Steve

 

[Pumpkin]

@SteveMinSD
You should be able to return to most sports, great you are looking for a surgeon who will be supportive of your return to sports.
@FCBayern and @Roy Gardiner are both active with various sports and may be able share their sports activities.

Here are some links about return to sports,
Sports after TJR: knee replacements not harmed by most sports
Stories of amazing knee recoveries

 

[Pumpkin]

An interesting abstract in pubmed

Recommendations for Patients with High Return to Sports Expectations after TKA Remain Controversial - PubMed

(1) Background: Improved surgical techniques and implants in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have led to broader indications for surgical interventions of osteoarthritis of the knee. There is a growing young and active patient subgroup with high return to sports (RTS) expectations after TKA. The...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[SteveMinSD]

Hi Pumpkin,

Thanks for the information! Most of the research I have found is from the early 2000s, when they realized that return to sports might be possible and maybe someone should look into it, but it seems that little progress has been made in studying this in spite of advances in implants and technique?

I tried to post some articles I have found but don't have enough posts yet so I was blocked.

I would definitely be interested in the experiences of users that have tried to return to higher impact sports like volleyball, tennis, or soccer. Is this beyond what can reasonably be expected with the right combination of surgeon and implant, or is this becoming possible. If so, which surgeons are having success?

Also, if this is the wrong place to post, please let me know.

Thanks again for the information!

Steve

 

[Jaycey]

@SteveMinSD You are posting in the right place. Thanks for joining us!

Many of our members return to very active lives post surgery. Have a read in the recovery forum. Lots of success stories. It's all about how you personally react to surgery and your surgeon's skill.

I'm sure our members will be along soon to give you input.

 

[MaryCat]

Hey Steve,

New member here. I had my TKR done in Jan- went to Cedars Sinai Kerlan Jobe Institute, Santa Monica. Pretty happy with my care there although still early days yet on returning to sports.

 

[Jockette]

Here is a member who returned to basketball:

TKR - Both Knees Replaced and Back to Basketball!

Although I didn't post during my recovery from my two knee replacements in 2010 and 2013, I have spent a lot of time reading about recoveries on BoneSmart since 2010. Back at the beginning of my knee journey I was concerned that I had lost my ability to play basketball forever. Through the...

bonesmart.org

 

[glidefloss]

Hi @SteveMinSD , back in early February, a young (35) athlete posted this - https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/young-total-knee-replacement-athlete-recovery.69028/.

 

[SteveMinSD]

Hi @Jaycey, @MaryCat, @Jockette, and @glidefloss; Thank you all for your posts. I thought I was set to have an email sent if anyone replied, but that doesn't seem to be working. Anyhow, sorry for my delayed response!

@MaryCat, I hope you are feeling well and out of the worst of it now?

Steve

 

[glidefloss]

Hi @SteveMinSD , back in early February, a young (35) athlete posted this - https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/young-total-knee-replacement-athlete-recovery.69028/.

Hi @SteveMinSD , you can find postings of the guy on Instagram. I think if you search for young total knee replacement - or something like that you'll find him. I think he's hoping to return to semi-pro rugby (? am not really sure what sport.)

While I don't harbor such ambitions, my own goals post-TKRs are for a very active life that will include multi-day treks here in Colorado and in Europe, multi-day bike trips, and maybe even some running and basketball (the last two passions that helped kill my knees!)

I've had my right knee replaced (today is Day 105, Week 15) and have absolutely no regrets. My left knee will be replaced on April 14 and I'm hoping that by Summer I'll be enjoying the great outdoors again.

 

[SteveMinSD]

Hi @glidefloss, and thanks for your reply. I had see the article you mentioned and hit up @Miemczyk for an update. I could not find the posts you mentioned on Instagram, or anywhere else, but would be very interested to see how he is progressing. I am glad to hear that you are still doing well. Good luck with your next knee in April

 

[Shortstuff26]

Hi @SteveMinSD you can follow @Miemczyk on Instagram. I follow him there and his progress is quite inspiring! His name on there is Ryan Miemczyk and his profile is public. I chat with him since I also would like to remain active after TKR at my young age of 37. He is around my age and seeing what he is able to do has changed my perspective on what you’re capable of after surgery. Taking into consideration that everyone is different of course.

 

[SteveMinSD]

Thanks @Shortstuff26. Ryan does appear to be making very good progress and is clearly working very hard at it! I will be very interested in following his progress. Have you had your TKR yet?

 

[Shortstuff26]

No I haven’t @SteveMinSD I have an appointment for a second opinion next week. If a TKR is recommended once again then I will plan on having it this Fall. The pain in my left knee is pretty unbearable even with cortisone injections and I doubt I’ll be able to push this out much longer.

 

[SteveMinSD]

That sounds terrible! I wish you the best of luck!

 

[glidefloss]

No I haven’t @SteveMinSD I have an appointment for a second opinion next week. If a TKR is recommended once again then I will plan on having it this Fall. The pain in my left knee is pretty unbearable even with cortisone injections and I doubt I’ll be able to push this out much longer.

Hi @Shortstuff26 ,I suspect that if other therapies/etc don't bring relief or improvement, a TKR might be the way to go and if that's the case, you'll have the memories of the pain to help you power through the recovery/rehab process. Whatever you decide, I hope you'll be actively pain free in a few months!!

 

[Shortstuff26]

I just don’t know how you that have had this surgery came to the conclusion that it was time……. @glidefloss I often ask myself if my pain is enough to warrant the invasive surgery that a TKR is. I have full ROM and I don’t have a limp just constant pain. The only time I’m not in pain is while I’m asleep. This is so hard

 

[glidefloss]

I just don’t know how you that have had this surgery came to the conclusion that it was time……. @glidefloss I often ask myself if my pain is enough to warrant the invasive surgery that a TKR is. I have full ROM and I don’t have a limp just constant pain. The only time I’m not in pain is while I’m asleep. This is so hard

Hi @Shortstuff26 , the two years before I finally decided to get my knees done saw a quickening decline of my ability to enjoy the things I still could do - hiking became an exercise in masochism (I did build up wrist and arm strength leaning on my hiking poles coming down trails), biking no longer rejuvenated my legs (as it used to do for several years after I stopped running), trips and touring were no longer fun, etc. Both knees had full extension and good ROM. I did all sorts of leg strengthening and stretching exercises to no avail. Eventually even day to day activities became challenging ... there was no escaping the fact that unless something drastic happened, my quality of life would continue to spiral downwards. After putting it off for 11 years, it was time!

As you know, I am very happy with my RTKR and can't wait for my LTKR. As you also know, recovery and rehab from TKRs are no joke! But good things await at the end ...

 

[Shortstuff26]

Ahhh ok that makes sense @glidefloss and I thank you for your response. It definitely gives me perspective. Can’t wait to hear about your very fast approaching LTKR!
I’m thankful for this forum. I can express my feelings knowing that someone knows exactly what this stage (bad knee and TKR diagnosis) feels and looks like without being dismissed. Best of luck

 

[wilsonma]

I just came back to this site after my second TKR. I had my first 5 years ago and was back playing soccer 3 months later-indoor. I just had my other knee done, 3 weeks ago and plan on playing Pickleball in 2 months and back to soccer in 3.
I consulted 2 different surgeons. One told me I shouldn't play soccer again and the other said go ahead and enjoy the new knee. Obviously I went with the latter. I was still playing 5 years later until the other knee was shot.
I am now 3 weeks out and follow the Bonesmarts way of recovery. No PT for me, but I started walking and being active right after the surgery. I have good range of motion already but still cant ride a bike yet. It will come and so will Sports.
Don't wait too long to get the new knee. I played soccer too long on the first bad one and developed lower back pain because of it...