Can You Jog After Knee Replacement

Add In Resistance Training

The old advice states that high-impact sports may cause knee replacement implants to come loose. Some doctors are now challenging that idea. They think that implants come loose as the bone around it becomes weaker. But there is a solution! Resistance training helps to increase bone density. And the best part is that athletes can start even before theyre ready to run. Athletes can focus on their arms, core, or uninjured leg using machines. Its a good idea to stick a trainer at first, especially during recovery. They can help athletes avoid injury

Exercise #: Stationary Bike And Elliptical Machine

These cardiovascular exercises are especially beneficial because they help strengthen the quadriceps muscles, says Geller. This is particularly important after a knee replacement because the quads are essential to movement and stability in the knee. “These exercises are non-impact, which is safer for your knees than high-impact exercises like running,” says Geller. Bill Bryan, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist adds that when he tells patients who’ve had a knee replacement to use the stationary bike, he recommends that they push down harder on the pedal with the leg that’s had the knee replacement. “This will maximize the benefits of this exercise,” says Bryan.

Do You Know If Your Knee Is Cemented Or Cementless

In this interview below, Dr. James D Abbott, MD discusses the two fixation types and some benefits and risks associated with each.;

He mentions that a press fit cementless fixation implant may be a better choice for active adults who plan to return to sport or higher impact activities.

A cemented fixation device may be better for those patients who need a quicker recovery because as soon as the cement hardens in the operating room the implant is as secure as it will ever get.

To learn more watch the full interview on YouTube

Recommended Reading: How To Strengthen Knee Ligaments

What Are Some Alternatives To Jogging

4 of the most common alternatives to jogging include:

1.) An elliptical / crosstrainer / stair master.

These machines provide weight bearing exercise and increased metabolic demand, but minimize impact due to the fact that your foot never breaks contact with the pedals.

As a recreational jogger myself, I admit that none of these devices will replace the feeling and satisfaction I receive from a good 3 mile job, but if push came to shove and I was forced to choose, this would me my choice.

2.) A stationary bike An upright bike, fan bike, recumbent bike, or spinning bike can all produce an intense cardiovascular workout for anyone at any fitness level. With the new Pelaton bikes and other similar services you can find what you are looking for.

3.) Water based conditioning can be a phenomenal change of pace. If you want to start swimming;

4.) Budget pedaler This is a small, light weight pedal device that may be placed infront of a chair. The device is usually priced at less than $50. This device is often used for the lower body while sitting and the upper body while standing.

* Recommendation: when choosing any piece of exercise equipment the most important consideration is useWill You Use It?

Buy something you will use. Buy something you will enjoy. Buy something that will improve your quality of life.;

Our Patient Jeannette Had Issues With Spinal Stenosis And Problems Post Knee Replacement

• Jeannette starts discussing the knee replacement complications at 3:50 into the video. Jeannette is 81 years old.

Jeannette describes a foot-tingling problem. She cannot sit down and relax at the end of the day, it is uncomfortable for her to put her feet up or down because it is tingling. She had a nerve conduction study that shows an injury to her peroneal nerve.;The peroneal nerve branches out from the sciatic nerve. As it provides sensation to the front and sides of the legs and to the top of the feet, damage to this nerve would result in burning and tingling or numbness sensation in these areas. Further damage to this nerve would also cause loss of control in the muscles in the leg that help you point your toes upward. This can lead to walking problems and possibly foot drop, the inability to lift the front of the foot or ankle. Knee and hip replacement are leading culprits in the cause of peroneal nerve injury.

In Jeannettes case, she had two knee replacement surgeries in that knee. After the first knee replacement surgery, the implant started to protrude away from the limb. The knee replacement became loose. The second surgery to fix the first one occurred in 2015.

It was determined after examination that Jeannettes knee ligaments were loose. Her knee was hypermobile and unstable. This was causing pressure on her peroneal nerve. Knee ligament damage and weakness is also a complication of knee replacement surgery and is discussed further below.

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Activities With A High Risk Of Falling

After a total knee replacement, loss of strength, range of motion, and balance lead to an increased risk of falling. A fall can damage the prosthesis or interfere with the healing process.

A 2018 study found that 17.2 percent of a group of 134 people who had undergone a knee replacement fell at least once within 6 months of their operation. Roughly two-thirds of these falls occurred when walking.

Some lifestyle modifications to reduce your risk of falling include:

• using the handrail when going up and down the stairs
• using a rubber mat or shower chair when showering
• sitting down when putting on shorts or pants
• keeping the floor clear of stray toys, slippery rugs, and other objects that pose a tripping hazard
• avoiding slippery terrains like mud, ice, or wet grass

Exercising After A Knee Replacement

Knee replacements are even more common than hip replacements. Dr. Geringer replaces knees regularly in active patients. Unfortunately, athletes whove had injuries like ACL or meniscus tears are often more likely to get arthritis. In those patients, arthritis can set in early; when they are young and want to stay active.

But Dr. Geringer says that its okay to keep working out after a knee replacement. He would rather have people working out and staying healthy. People today dont get nearly enough exercise. Id hate to be a part of that problem! I tell my patients to try and wear their knee out! he says.

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Can Patients Run After A Hip Or Knee Replacement

For a long time runners have been told that a hip or knee replacement was the end of the road for their running. Conventional wisdom suggested the impact would damage the new joint and so people reluctantly hung up their trainers. Fortunately, new research is challenging this advice to stop with some remarkable examples of runners not only returning to their sport but even going on to win ultra-marathon races!

Find out more about this and key points on return to running after a joint replacement in our video below.

Want to learn more about running injuries? to check out our selection of free webinars.

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My Recovery: Running Again After Knee Replacement

First Two Weeks

Knee replacement surgery is a major trauma for your body. You may be unconscious but the invasive insult will have a deep impact on your body and your subconscious and cant be ignored. Rest is critical to the healing process, to allow your tissues to get over the stress of the trauma. Due to blood loss you feel pretty weak and tire easily for a week or two after the surgery. Youre on painkillers for a while with all their unpleasant side effects; I weaned myself off them as soon as possible.

Next Few Months

After those first two weeks, I began riding my bike and doing short hikes. I was initially quite wary of abusing my new knee and was slow to add much impact, but my confidence grew over the following months.

Throughout this ramp-up in activity, I was engaged in a gym strength training program focused on single-leg strength and stability. What I found was that the uphill and downhill hiking and running were producing their own strength training effect, such that they impacted my gym strength work and vice versa. It was surprisingly easy for me to overdo this strength work and need to take a rest.; ;

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I Dont Kneel Because I Do Not Want To Damage The Hardware

The idea that doctors are not sure which knee replacement hardware will help the patient the most in their desire to kneel is reflected in the idea that maybe patients should avoid kneeling.

A June 2021 update study fin The Journal of Knee Surgery comes to us from researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and the Rothman Institute of Orthopaedics. In their study of 404 patients who had knee replacement and difficulty kneeling the researchers found:

• Sixty percent of patients were unable to kneel after total knee replacement
• Men and patients with occupations or hobbies requiring kneeling were more likely to kneel after surgery.
• People who had kneeling difficulties had:
• Too much weight or a high body mass index.
• It was too painful to kneel
• They did not have physical inability
• Fear of damaging the prosthesis. .

Stair Climbing And Descending

The ability to go up and down stairs requires both strength and flexibility. At first, you will need a handrail for support and will be able to go only one step at a time. Always lead up the stairs with your good knee and down the stairs with your operated knee. Remember, “up with the good” and “down with the bad.” You may want to have someone help you until you have regained most of your strength and mobility.

Stair climbing is an excellent strengthening and endurance activity. Do not try to climb steps higher than the standard height and always use a handrail for balance. As you become stronger and more mobile, you can begin to climb stairs foot over foot.

Stair climbing and descending using a crutch

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Running After Joint Replacement

If you suffer from severe or chronic joint pain, then its likely youve already had to scale back running or quit altogether. While a knee replacement can certainly increase your quality of life, it doesnt mean you can go right back to pounding the pavement.

What You Can Do

Most doctors agree that running isnt a great idea after a joint replacement. My advice to patients is to enjoy alternative lower impact forms of exercise. If you like cycling, swimming, yoga, Pilates, or the elliptical just as much as running, then do those instead.

What You Can Try To Do

If you absolutely love running and need it for your mental and physical health, then by all means give it a shot. I would encourage you to run faster for shorter periods of time. An example would be a run-walk where you run at a pace that they could sustain for 3060 seconds, then walk until you recover. If your replaced knee or hip bothers you during or after a run, then it is clearly not a good idea for you. The same goes for tennis, skiing, and other high-impact sports.

Possible Consequences

The reason to have a hip or knee replacement is to improve your quality of life. So, if you are a happier person with an occasional run or singles tennis match, by all means do it. You may wear your replaced joint out a little faster, but I have been replacing hips and knees for over 20 years, and I dont recall having to revise a worn-out hip or knee implant in a runner or tennis player.

The Benefits Of Exercising After A Joint Replacement

Ultimately we all recommend continued exercise after a joint replacement. Studies focused on moderate sports and weightlifting indicate that it is probably safe to do. Additionally, the newest technology has dramatically reduced the concerns we once had about exercising after a hip or knee replacement. And the benefits to your overall health from exercise are just too good to pass up.

We recommend waiting 3-6 months before returning to the gym. Thats the minimum time to let your body grow into the implants. But it can take TWO YEARS for your body to finish healing. So be patient, dont rush it, and you will be rewarded with a sturdy, pain-free, and durable joint.

Keep the weight moderate, dont try to go back to powerlifting. Remember to scale and accommodate as needed. Use padding to cushion yourself and stay in control while exercising. Avoid forcing the range of motion, or you could end up with a dislocation.

Ultimately we cant tell you how to live your life but just be reasonable when choosing your sporting activities. And remember moderation is the key!

This does not constitute specific medical advice and does not indicate a physician-patient relationship between Dr. Larson and readers of this website. Please consult your own physician regarding any of these recommendations before starting them.

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Knee Replacement Rehab Timeline

This question is often asked by visitors to specialized forums dedicated to endoprosthesis replacement issues. Progress is purely individual, a full return to normal activities is possible within 3-6 months after the procedure, during which you will renew your life, learn the most ordinary things.

The difficulty of the recovery process is that people with arthritis live with debilitating pain for years. During this time they develop desirable positions for sitting, standing, moving, becoming inactive and some muscle atrophy. Those same habits, called abnormal neuralgia, dont go anywhere even after you wake up in the postoperative ward. The process of removing them is complicated, thorny; it is advisable to go under the supervision of a rehabilitation doctor.

In degenerative joint diseases, patients are entitled to disability benefits. For its registration, it is necessary to collect the necessary research results, confirming the inability to move independently.

Rehabilitation after an endoprosthesis can also be a reason to gain a similar status if, as a result of surgery, you are unable to do your usual job. Such social assistance is provided within 12 months.

Why Should I Avoid Running After A Knee Replacement

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons advises against running and states Excessive activity or weight may speed up this normal wear and may cause the knee replacement to loosen and become painful. Therefore, most surgeons advise against high-impact activities such as running, jogging, jumping, or other high-impact sports for the rest of your life after surgery.

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What Is The Fastest Way To Recover From A Knee Replacement

4 Tips for Faster Recovery after Knee Surgery

Things No One Ever Tells You About Getting A Knee Replacement

Heres what you need to know thats not in the brochure:;1. You might not be a good candidate.A study published last year by researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond questioned the value of knee replacement for some of the people rushing to get it. After analyzing data from a large study of men and women who had the operation, the researchers found that fully one-third of them were not actually good candidates for the surgery, which is why they got only a very modest benefita 2-point improvement on a common measure of knee function, compared with a 20-point improvement for people who started out with really bad knees.

“Pain that doesnt go away and moderate to severe arthritis are necessary for a knee replacement to do its job,” Lajam says. “If you have the surgery, but its actually a problem of nerve pain, hip pain, or circulation, its not going to help you.” The advice here is not to wait until your knees are completely destroyed before seeking surgery, but to make sure that youve tried other measures first and that you meet both criteriaconsistent pain and advanced arthritis.

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Skateboarding Paddle Boarding And Surfing

It might be a good idea to sell your surfboard and skateboard after knee replacement surgery. Both activities put a lot of stress on the knee.

Surfing, like paddle boarding requires that you move quickly from a prone position to a standing position. I have a neighbor who surfed for many years.

He still likes to go surfing with his son and grandson put he is content to ride the wave prone on his surfboard or use a bogey board. I have bogey-boarded post TKR and have had no problems.

Is It Safe To Jump Rope After A Total Knee Replacement

by Anthony Maritato PT | Nov 29, 2020 | Home Exercise Programs, Total Knee Replacement

Jump rope may be a safe and effective way to condition your body for impact while minimizing the wear and tear on a new knee replacement.

The main reason many surgeons recommend no jogging or impact sports after a knee replacement is due to the possibility of the implant wearing out prematurely or the failure of the plastic components.

Jump rope affords the jumper a way to initate a return to impact activities while controlling the intensity, duration, and magnitude of impact. Jump rope after knee replacement might be a great precursor to jogging and other impact sports.

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