Yoga after btkr?

[missyc]

Dear All,
First, thanks again for all the support! I'm so grateful for this forum.

My question today is about possibilities for practicing yoga after bilateral tkrs. Up until my surgery I had a (modified) but vigorous daily practice. My PT said that she's never seen anyone get more than 130 degrees after a tkr and that's not enough range to really practice.

I should also mention that I'm 40 so I figure, if all goes well, I have over half my life left with these knees and am really concerned about what I can and can't look forward to activity-wise (not to mention whether I'll need a second set of knees, but I'll save that for a separate post).

For now, any insights into post op yoga?

 

[ship4]

I found this post on WebMD regarding post knee replacement:

Do the Yoga. it is amazing for you. Avoid any particular motion that hurts.

Dr. K.

--
Dr. K. Ira H. Kirschenbaum, MD (www.walkandmove.com)

*****************************************
I also found the following regarding yoga post op:
In the case of joint replacement, it is a good idea to ask the students about any suggestions, restrictions, or contraindications expressed by their physicians. Even though such surgeries are common, individual circumstances may vary, and the type of prosthesis and other factors will affect flexibility and movement.
Particularly, see what degree of flexibility is safely possible with the replacement knee. This generally varies from 120 to 155 degrees of flexion, 110 degrees being considered functional albeit rather restrictive. Such information may be helpful in understanding the limitations and working with your students.
When teaching, pay special attention to each student's posture and alignment, particularly in the joints above and below the replacement joint. In the case of the knees, this means the ankles and hips (and lower and upper legs). When these are aligned properly, the student will feel no strain on the knees. If the student has tight hips or problems with her ankles, then the asanas should be modified so that these areas can properly open and stabilize, to prevent strain on or incorrect movement in the knees. Use a chair or horse for support so the student is stable, and pay attention to proper alignment.
Additionally, see that these students practice poses that extend and strengthen the hamstrings and quadriceps, which are generally weakened by surgery. If needed, support those poses requiring deep flexion, such as Malasana (Garland Pose), in which a block placed under the buttocks can remove weight or potential strain in the bending action. Such a practice will help stabilize and control the knee joint and maximize and develop a healthy range of movement.
Certified Advanced Iyengar instructor Dean Lerner is co-director of the Center for Well-being in Lemont, Pennsylvania and teaches workshop across the United States. He is a longtime student of B.K.S. Iyengar and served a four-year term as president of the Iyengar National Association of the United States. Known for his ability to teach yoga with clarity and precision, as well as warmth and humor, Dean has conducted teacher training classes at Feathered Pipe Ranch in Montana and other locations.

It looks like we all have the possibility to reach 155 degrees flexion!
Best,
Crystal

 

[Doug]

Missyc,
I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't do yoga when you're able.
I went back to doing Kenpo Karate and only slowed down on it because of other old injuries. No problems with the stretches or kicks...I don't like doing knee strikes though...Wierd feeling.

 

[Skeet]

The kneeling is still an issue for me. Otherwise I can bend and stretch in most all directions well. And it feels good. I am at 9+ months PO. Still have some tightness in the knee area when I bend it to the fullest extent but I think I could do most yoga poses, just not the ones where I have to kneel on the involved knee by itself.

 

[missyc]

Thanks for the encouragement! I heard that kneeling can come eventually -- you start by practicing on pillows and work up to regular kneeling, but it probably also depends on your tolerance for very weird sensations in your knees.

I've also been thinking I might need to switch to Iyengar -- more friendly to people with quirky bodies. I'd love to hear more about people going back to activities that require flexibility (like yoga and karate and other martial arts, etc.) if anyone has any other examples...

 

[Doug]

Let me give you one little word of caution......Take it slow!!! I've studied seven different styles of Martial Arts and would be considered pretty flexible for 55.....but, the last couple of years prior to the TKR, I just hurt so badly that I could teach, but not do....So I got terribly out of shape.....At about 4 months post TKR, I felt so good, I started back too quickly which set me back a little....
To say the least, I am not aging gracefully.