Has anyone in the military that has had a total knee replacement resumed running?

2019-02-10T09:21:11-05:00

I had a TKR 6 months ago. I had a permanent profile prior to surgery for the same knee that allowed running at own pace/distance for basic pt. Wondering if it’s smart to try to run on the “new” knee.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 10 at 2019 9:54 AM

2019-02-10T09:54:53-05:00

Before my total perm disability, while in residency, I helped with I can't even remember how many such cases...I was only doctoral-level allied health, not medicine (mainly due to my disability, though I did try for it), though I got considerable enrichment exposure to knee and hip replacements during my seven yrs of residency, of which I finished six before getting ill...I wouldn't try it without seriously being checked by a multitude of clinicians both BEFORE, as well as during, any effort you make...that'd include not solely orthopedics, you'll also need physiatry/rehab med (medicine, whether MD or DO, allopath or osteopath, NOT solely PT, though any PT you go to, I'd certainly go to one at DPT doctoral level, by all means...you could go to bachelors or masters level PT, certainly, as well, I've known many quite competent I trained under, as well as who've treated both myself as well as my wife, however, purely for sake of going with the most current, I'd go with DPT level, also, many states let DPTs have rather higher privileges than bachelors or masters level PTs, although many DPTs, I've noticed, generally still want a med scrip to handle a patient, they still prefer having referrals, even though being doctoral level, they can, I've also gathered, to at least some extent, have more autonomy to handle new patients on their own, though that obviously varies considerably from state to state), then, also, you most definitely should look into getting, as an orthopedist, someone explicitly fellowship trained for lower extremity, they exist, look at http://www.aofas.org, they have a search engine, I think, or call them to see who's by you...further, you'll need properly fitted orthotics, done the RIGHT way, NOT in a crush box, OR on a drugstore machine, you'll need them PROPERLY plaster casted, lying prone (face down) on a table, with your feet held in what is termed "neutral position", which would take too long to go into here...such lower-extrem orthopedists (or orthpods, so called), are likely trained to do it, as are all podiatrists...if you go with podiatry, make sure they're fully forefoot AND rearfoot board certified, there's also a podiatric sports medicine association, you can check their website, or just look it up on Google...orthotics need proper top covers, of proper durometer for your build...I'd also seriously look into having a professional gait analysis done, possibly videotaped, on a treadmill, to evaluate your gait pattern while running, not merely walking...further, if you have ANY pain, once you'd be ALLOWED to start, for God's sake, STOP, and have youreself checked for shin splints, as well as any possible damage to the implant, even if that involves further imaging...also, please DON'T just start running again ad hoc, without being watched as I've described, clinically...you hadn't described how long ago you'd had it, I'm assuming the site totally healed, however, that, in and of itself, is NOT sufficient for you to just put on a pair of sneakers, with maybe some drugstore based set of orthotics, NOT plaster casted, and just simply start, trust me, with what you've got, that approach is just simply the wrong way to go, you'll need to have the implant, as well as your both of your lower extremities, regularly professionally checked, please trust me on that, I was a resident a long time, though we shut my license off sevl yrs ago, however, I trained with and under numerous sport clinicians, one of whom was involved with handling a very major professional sports team...you wanna run again, fine, however, what I'm telling you, however cumbersome as well as time consuming, is, most definitely, the PROPER way to handle the whole thing, I assure you, hope all that was of at least some help and/or use, I'd be most eager for your thoughts, if you'd care to chat further, by all means, no rush, whenever convenient, of course....

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Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Feb 10 at 2019 9:57 AM

2019-02-10T09:57:33-05:00

This is a great question. Maybe the answers will inspire me to run again.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Feb 10 at 2019 10:28 AM

2019-02-10T10:28:51-05:00

My old 1SG had knee replacement surgery and he ran on it. Now, if that is recommended I don't know; he was a tough as nails SOB and I don't doubt that he would have run on it even if it was the wrong thing to do.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2019 3:20 PM

2019-02-10T15:20:27-05:00

Interesting. Quick search revealed recommendations to not do high impact due to risk of additional wear on the replacement, which could lead to another, possibly, higher risk and less successful second surgery. Also says this position may not be supported by empirical evidence.
Then, there were the, I'm back to running 40 miles per week, and have been doing so for 10 years.
Either side say it is individual.
I'm waiting on those Steve Austin knees to come out before I get mine done.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2019 5:57 PM

2019-02-10T17:57:10-05:00

Please seek the advice of a medical professional first and foremost. If they say yes then start slow.