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Will I Be Able To Run and Jump After Surgery?

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GailS

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I just found this site and I'm glad I did! I switched OS's to find a good one that practices at the hospital I want to go to. He's so popular that I have to wait until Sept 9th for RTKR. I'm usually in pretty severe pain and have NO cartilage in my right knee but I still REALLY dread the surgery and aftermath. (mostly aftermath) But my quality of life is pretty nonexistent and has been for months. My husband has been on my case to have it done for a long time, but I'm finally doing it for me. I want to be able to take walks again to lose the weight I've gained. My first OS told me I would not be able to jump or run again. Is this true? I'm looking forward to just being able to maneuver steps again!!!!!!!!!
 
Re: Getting ready to go.

Gail, welcome to the site. It is not true that you cannot jump and run. There are bionic knees all over the world who are jumping and running. One of them is Dick Beardsley, a famous runner who went right back to running once he got his knee replaced. I'll soon be surfing on mine. That requires some jumping I guess. Doctors would prefer that you not do high-impact activities on the prosthetic joints as this will ostensibly make them wear out faster.

I bet by the time surgery rolls around, you'll be more than ready for it. My pain was severe enough that I was beginning to think twice about surfing. I'd even skipped a few sessions because of the pain. That's just not me. Although I was nervous about the surgery, I was more than ready to do it and get back to living my life. You should get chummy with the doctor's staff and let them know you're willing to be called in the event of a cancellation. I got along well with the guy who did the scheduling in my OS's office. When it was time to schedule my surgery and I made it clear I needed it done as soon as possible, he was able to get me in 10 days after my doctor and I decided a TKR was in order. I doubt that I would have had that kind of cooperation had I not made sure the staff knew I appreciated them as much as I did the doctor. It's just a thought.
 
Re: Getting ready to go.

I asked my doctor if I could run (not that I had any inclination to do so) and he said no and explained why. So I said, "So, I shouldn't chase anyone around then?" He said, with a chuckle, "No, you shouldn't." Then I asked, "Does that mean I have your permission to chuck things at them instead?"

I have doctor's orders to chuck things at people instead of chasing them.:hehe:
 
Hi, Gail! Welcome to BoneSmart!!

I moved your post and the responses you have so far to a thread just for you. I think you'll get more posts that way....you won't be buried in someone else's thread.

I'm glad you found us. Take some time to go through some of the old posts and you may discover some other questions to ask before your surgery.

And afterwards.....you'll be surprised at how much you are able to do again.
 
Hi Gail you be able to do things you havent done in years, and no more pain at that. There are people skiing, playing golf, riding bikes all sorts of things. (not saying bungy jump etc) I am only 10 weeks an able to do more then before my surgery. Mostly with my kids. Something so simple as the mall, or just getting on the floor playing with them. Its amazing. Still hard for me to do that yet but I will. I can see a diff already. You will be so happy you had it done. To get your life back again....Please ask any questions at all. We would be happy to help you if poss. We have all been thru the same thing...Hang in there you will be just fine....
 
Hi Gail,
So nice to meet you. Your quality of life is about to change!!!
All for the Better!!!! And you will be able to do what ever you
feel up to doing but, high-impact activities on the prosthetic joints
will wear them out faster. So you have to think about what you
really want to do with your new knee. And then just enjoy being
able to do things you have had to give up doing because of pain.
 
Welcome Gail! Considering the shape youu are in now, and the pain you are feeling, it's a nice position to be in!!! What an experience to finally be out that nagging, exhaustiing pain already!,
 
Well, Gail, there is a pay-off on those things, and that's the time the implants will last and/or not get loose. You can sit around, doing the bare minimum and have them last a life-time, or you can do the sports and activities you want and know that you're gradually increasing the likelihood of a revision. Depends how badly you want to do what you want to do!

As for jumping, that's not a good idea as the impact on the prostheses, particularly the tibial one, is severe and likely to loosen it. The tibial implant's purchase on the top of the tibia is not too indestructible, you see. Another risk is excessive wear of the poly insert with the hammering.

It's not that you can't do it, it's more being aware of the risks and being preapred to accept the consequences.
 
kinda like learning to drive nails using just your forehead...the answer is "Well, yes, you CAN do that if it's really important to you. but there is a downside..."
 
Well, running and jumping sports, like high impact aerobics are on my list of NOT TO DO..no questions...and as everyone said...more likely to have problems with the tibia component or it will just wear out quicker...ask your OS...mine said...NOPE>
 
Ditto!! What a hoot you are, Gringo! But also. what an inspiration to us all!

I have not been able to run or jump for many years due to my knee problems, but that hasn't worried me at all. In fact, sometimes it has been a good excuse to get out of doing something I didn't particularly want to do!! :hehe:

As I have managed to live quite happily without running or jumping, it doesn't bother me that we are told that it is not a good idea to put such strain on our new knees. Apparently it would be OK to run in an emergency - out of a burning building, or away from a runaway vehicle for example - but to do it deliberately and for a long time would shorten the life of the TKR. It's a choice you can make for yourself - I prefer to keep my current TKRs for as long as possible!
 
Gringo--
You ALWAYS hit the nail on the head! LOL
Blessings,
Irene
 
You can speak to your OS, but think he will say no to running and jumping. You do not want to take the chance of injuring the TKR.
 
read the threads by the people here who broke something in a fall, and got an infection.

Cures any slight desire I might have had to pole vault, skydive, or take up trampoline.
 
Gringo you are so right about the pole vault, skydiving but
I do like the trampoline. It is fun with the grandkids or I should say it was fun and as much as I enjoyed it, I don't think I will ever do it again! I never even thought about it, darn makes me a little sad!
 
I second, Im happy with no pain and walking and being with my kids.......Bikes are good. I love that..............
 
On your special island.....I certainly hope so, Gringo!!!
 
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