Running After a Total Knee Replacement

The idea of running after a total knee replacement is a question that can cause a lot of debate. Of course, I’m not talking here about getting off the surgical table and beginning to run straight away; instead I’m talking about what will happen in the future. Will you be ever able to run again? Although most people undergoing this type of surgery will be over 65 there will still be many of them who enjoy activities like running. The idea of not being able to enjoy this activity again can be hard pill for many to swallow. In this article we will examine some of the issues surrounding the debate of running after a total knee replacement.

What the Surgeons Tend to Say about Running after a Total Knee Replacement

Most surgeons will be quite negative about the idea of running after a total knee replacement. They will view it as just too risky and likely to cause damage to the artificial knee. The process of going through surgery and rehabilitation is not easy and the surgical team fear that it will all have to be repeated if the individual causes damage to the new joint. Although these artificial joints are very good they are nowhere near as strong and adaptive as the real thing and this is why it is usually advised that those who have undergone such treatments avoid extreme sports. The views of surgeons on this matter is something that needs to be considered because these people are the experts and they will have seen many cases where artificial knees have been damaged because the patient tried to do too much with them.

Choosing Running after a Total Knee Replacement

Some people do decide to try gentle running after a total knee replacement. This can be a huge gamble if they do so against doctor’s advice. If something does go wrong then it can be a bit embossing to go back to the surgical team and ask them to repair the damage that they warned you about. It is understandable that people don’t want to give up such an activity that has been an important part of their life, but it just isn’t advisable to ignore the views of the experts.

There are some surgeons who are less pessimistic about the idea of running after a total knee replacement and they might be able to advice in your case. They may be able to provide tips for how you could return to some gentle exercise that is less likely to cause damage to the artificial joint. It is best to only do this under the direction of your surgical team and physiotherapists. Remember that your surgeon will be advising against running after a total knee replacement for good reason, but do speak to them about the problem. There have been people who have managed to run again, but don’t assume that this is going to be the situation in your case.