Can you run with a knee replacement? Running is a great way to stay fit and enjoy life. But if you have had knee replacement surgery, you should ask yourself whether or not running is safe for you.
Knee injuries are common among runners. In fact, they affect nearly half of all runners at some point during their career. Knee replacements are often recommended after severe damage has occurred.
Running with a knee replacement is possible, but it requires careful consideration. The risk of complications such as infection, dislocation, and loosening of the implant are higher when compared to those who don’t have a knee replacement.
In the following article, we are going to take a look at knee replacements and whether you can run after you have had one. So if you are still in recovery and want to know if you will ever run again, this article has the answers you seek…
Can You Run With A Knee Replacement?
The first question that comes up when people think about having a knee replacement is: “Will I be able to run again?” This is an important question because your body needs exercise to maintain its health and function properly.
When someone undergoes a knee replacement, doctors usually recommend that he or she starts walking right away. Walking is a good form of exercise, especially since most patients feel better after doing so.
However, there are times when a person cannot walk without pain. If you fall into this category, then you may need to consider other forms of exercise.
One of these options is jogging. Jogging is a low-impact sport that does not require much energy from the patient. It also helps strengthen muscles around the knee joint.
However, it is recommended that the patient refrains from high-impact sports such as running and jumping, as this could have disastrous results for the new knee.
Because of this, runners have to seek stimulation through other means. Although there are other ways that they can treat their injured knees and continue running afterwards.
What Is Partial Knee Resurfacing?
Partial resurfacing (PKR) is a procedure that involves removing damaged cartilage from the surface of the knee cap and replacing it with artificial material. This process is done by using arthroscopic techniques.
In most cases, this kind of surgery is performed on patients who suffer from arthritis or worn-out knees. However, PKR is not always necessary for every case.
It is only used when there is no other option available. For instance, if a patient has suffered from a major injury to his or her knee, then he or she might not be able to recover fully.
In these cases, PKR becomes a viable option, especially for those who love running. This is because the operation does not replace the knee joint entirely (like common resurfacing), which offers more function to the area once it has healed.
Most patients speak positively of this operation, as it does remove important ligaments from the knee and leaves the joint feeling normal after the surgery is complete. It also gives athletes the opportunity to return to their training, whether that be in running, tennis or even skiing.
However, this does not mean that a total knee replacement has to be a negative experience, as there is still a chance that you can run after this particular operation.
What Is A Total Knee Replacement?
If your knee is considered unsuitable for a partial resurfacing, then this could mean that you will need to undergo a total knee replacement. And while this can have a profound impact on your ability to run, the outcome does not need to be negative.
In fact, there are countless cases where people with knee replacements were still able to run after their surgery. So there is always a chance that you will be able to run again.
While most medical professionals do not recommend running with a knee replacement, there is little evidence to suggest that the sport will ruin your new knee.
However, this is a reflection of the limited research on the subject and not your doctor’s medical knowledge. Regardless, you should still proceed with caution after receiving a knee replacement, especially if you intend to continue running in your free time.
Recent studies have shown that hip and knee replacements can go unaffected by exercise, while others have concluded that running could damage the artificial knee and require revision surgery.
While there is no one answer to whether you should still run with a knee replacement, it is important that you take care when engaging in high-impact sports.
What Does This All Mean?
While there is little evidence to confirm the dangers of running with a knee replacement, the majority of medical professionals would not advise it, as it is believed that running could wear down the artificial knee.
For this reason, it is recommended that you seek partial resurfacing, as this allows more opportunities to return to high-impact sports.
However, if your knee is unsuitable for this operation, then a total knee replacement might be the only answer, which means you will need to proceed with caution when attempting to run.
When receiving this treatment you will be advised against high-impact sports, as these could damage the knee and make it require further replacement.
Of course, there are cases of people continuing to run with knee replacements. However, these cases are rare, and you should still approach your new knee with caution and care.
Final Thoughts
Can you run with a knee replacement? The short and simple answer is no – you can not run with a knee replacement, as most medical professionals advise against high-impact sports when the surgery is complete.
However, this does not mean that you will have to give up running forever, as it is possible to have partial resurfacing instead of a total replacement.
Even with a full knee replacement, it can still be possible to run. However, running with an artificial knee could wear down the joint and make it require some revision.
At the end of the day, the choice comes down to your own preferences and awareness of self-care.
For the first year, I wallowed in my feelings and gained 50 pounds as a result. The next year, with the help of a professional or two, I began working on myself and seeing changes.
Surprisingly enough, I found running to be my main source of comfort in such a trying time. I began running once a day for five minutes, working up to 10, then 20, 30, 40 - until I was running for an hour each morning.
Running started my day off right and on the days where I ran, I found that I was more likely to excel in work and have a better day mentally.
So, that is why I have created Run In The Sun. I want to make your running journey as easy as possible so that you can feel these benefits too. I promise you, it will be so worth it!
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