However, over the years, a very consistent and demoralizing speech used to be made by orthopedic surgeons after TKR procedures. Patients were offered an extensive list of allowable physical activities that included walking at a moderate pace, exercise bike use, swimming and possibly even golfing. All high-impact sports including running, tennis, skiing, and playing basketball were prohibited. The traditional worry was that such vigorous activity would cause the loosening of the cement and degradation of the plastic lining which inevitably would require undergoing yet another, highly unpleasant, surgical procedure.The world is different today. Now there is a new generation of adults who undergo knee replacements in their 50’s or even earlier and are determined not to spend their retirement inactivity. Visit the best knee replacement surgeon in Lucknow.
Luckily, the medical world is changing its mind. Thanks to advancements in materials and surgery, the “never run again” policy is being changed for good.
New Rules of Hhigh-impact Sports Post-Knee Replacement
Rule 1: It All Starts with the Material (The Rise of Cementless Implants)
The way a classic knee prosthesis is fixed to the bone involves the use of a bone cement that is specifically developed for medical purposes. Even though the cement is very hard at first, it can slowly become damaged due to the constant repetitive impacts on it, similar to how a road slowly becomes cracked under pressure of heavy traffic. The real breakthrough for the current runners is the development of the cementless, 3D printed prosthesis. Rather than being glued to the bone, these prostheses have a very porous and textured surface that resembles natural bones. When inserted, living bones start growing inside the metal within several months; this process is known as biologic fixation. As a result, the prosthesis becomes permanently fixed by living tissue, making it almost impossible for the prosthesis to be shaken off due to the high-impact load. Furthermore, the current joint inserts are made of very durable highly cross-linked polyethylene, which is usually supplemented with Vitamin E.
Rule 2: Precision Engineering Over “Eyeballing It”
An advanced implant will be a failure in the first place if implanted in an inaccurate alignment position. Just even a small deviation of one or two millimeters in the alignment procedure of the implant can affect the distribution of the load of your knee joint, and you’ll experience uneven wear and tear of your joint once you do running exercise. That is why robotic-assisted surgery and digital navigation have made a huge impact in this field. Doctors now apply real-time 3D model mapping during the procedure that allows perfect balancing of your ligaments and positioning of the implant in sub-millimeter accuracy.
Rule 3: Trade Asphalt for Nature (Mind the Surface)
If your doctor allows you to resume running or other high-impact sports, the laws of engagement say that you need to use your head when deciding where to play. Your biological knee had a meniscus—a perfect shock absorber that was filled with fluid. Your artificial knee is made of metal and plastic; it does not absorb the shock; it transmits it.If you’re going to run, forget concrete sidewalks and asphalt paths. The constant bombardment from such hard surfaces will take their toll on both your prosthetic knee and the joints above it (your hips and lower back). Instead, consider playing on: Well-groomed dirt or gravel pathsGrassy athletic fields or tracks (artificial tracks have superb give)An anti-gravity or underwater treadmill for low-impact cardio trainingWhen it comes to court sports, if you are an avid tennis player, switch to clay or grass courts, which absorb part of the shock before it hits your legs.
Rule 4: The 80/20 Low-Impact Hybrid Strategy
Even when using 3D-printed joints and robotic alignment, treating your artificial knee as a 20-year-old natural joint will definitely cause you more harm than good. The most intelligent athletes playing impact sports after TKR adopt a mixed approach. Instead of running on a daily basis, five times per week, consolidate your high-impact workouts on just one or two days per week. On the remaining days of the week, you can do high-intensity low-impact cardio exercises such as rowing, using the elliptical machine, or even cycling outside. This will allow you to retain the psychological benefits and aerobic capacity of running without subjecting your artificial joint to additional millions of high-impact repetitions each year.
Rule 5: Quad and Glute Strength are Non-Negotiable
Running does not make you fit but you need to be fit in order to run. That rule applies twice after having undergone a knee replacement operation. When you have weak quads, hamstrings, and glutes then the whole force exerted by your foot on hitting the ground is going to transmit through your artificial joint. The muscles should serve as your main braking system. You will need to follow a dedicated life-long regimen of training for the strength of your legs and doing leg presses and step-ups. Your artificial knee will just glide through its grooves because of your iron-strong muscles.
Conclusion
Is it possible to resume running after a knee surgery? Yes, many people in the contemporary world are able to do that. But one should bear in mind that it is not something easy to do. One needs to have good implants, a very skilled surgeon, proper rehabilitation program and common sense concerning surfaces and distance.
One should always consult with the best knee replacement surgeon in Lucknow before resuming high-impact sports since bone density, weight and type of implants used matter a lot.