Can You Run After A Knee Replacement? Will Running Damage Your Replaced Knee?

In this video, Maryke looks at what the research says about running after a knee replacement. She looks at whether it is possible to run with a replaced knee and also whether there is evidence that it will wear your new joint out and cause you to need a revision knee replacement. Lastly, she shares some tips on how you can increase your chances of running after a knee replacement.

📚Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:48 Can you run after a knee replacement?
00:03:59 Will running wear out a replaced knee?
00:10:32 How to increase your chances of running after a knee replacement
00:17:27 How we can help

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References:
1. Rochoy, M., et al. (2020). "Does hip or knee joint replacement decrease chances to complete an ultra-trail race? Study in participants at the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc®." Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research 106(8): 1539-1544
2. Konings, M. J., et al. (2020). "Effect of knee arthroplasty on sports participation and activity levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis." BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 6(1): e000729-e000729
3. Thaler, M., et al. (2021). "Twenty-one sports activities are recommended by the European Knee Associates (EKA) six months after total knee arthroplasty." Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 29(3): 694-709
4. Zaballa, E., et al. (2022). "Risk of revision arthroplasty surgery after exposure to physically demanding occupational or leisure activities: A systematic review." PLoS One 17(2): e0264487
5. Mooiweer, Y., et al. (2022). "Being active with a total hip or knee prosthesis: a systematic review into physical activity and sports recommendations and interventions to improve physical activity behavior." European Review of Aging and Physical Activity 19(1): 1-16
6. Ponzio DY, Chiu Y-F, Salvatore A, et al. (2018) "An analysis of the influence of physical activity level on total knee arthroplasty expectations, satisfaction, and outcomes: increased revision in active patients at five to ten years." J Bone Joint Surg Am 100:1539–1548

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[KevBeer]

I have had a long history of sporting injuries resulting in me now having both knees replaced - Total Knee Replacements (TKR) . However, I have just returned to running after a long break (35 years!). My surgeon, when pressed, stated that I should avoid high impact activities, such as running, to avoid 'wearing the joints out'. However, I argued that the benefits of running (physical and mental health) far outweighed the risks and that there was little clinical evidence to support the 'wearing out' theory.
Today I ran 6 km, feeling a real sense of enhanced physical and mental well-being; I am 57 years old and planning to run a half-marathon early next year:)

[DiamondpaintingMadness]

I had tkr March 2022. I was a runner before my surgery. I am so happy to find out that there is a chance I can go back to running again, I miss it very much.

[redties-ugls]

I squatted 205lb for 15 reps on a right knee tkr done 5 years ago. I compete throwing discus and shot, train hard with plenty of high impact activity. I'm living for myself, not my tkr.

[danielcaldwell]

Good information. Thanks. I am scheduled for total knee replacement in about 6 weeks. I was a triathlete until I couldn't run due to knee pain this year. I am still cycling and swimming, hoping to be back to triathlons next year after surgery. Since I am 69 years old I don't care if knee replacement wears out after 20 years.

[roblivermore]

Excellent video with useful TKR study information and rehab suggestions. Maybe this will offer others encouragement who are considering and or have had knee replacements. I had a tkr 2 years ago, I was 52 at the time of surgery. After 3 weeks I started a light leg strength training program with resistance bands, light squats, leg extensions, hamstring curls and walking. After 2 months I was able to lightly jog for a couple of minutes on a treadmill with no pain. After 4 months I was able to run for about 5-10 minutes without pain and after 5 months I was able to return to playing competitive slowpitch softball and have been playing since without any tkr issues.

[haroldpinteresque]

I am so grateful for this perspective. After an active lifetime including triathlons, martial arts, and hiking the Kokoda Trail, have been told that I have grade 4 osteoarthritis in both knees. The additional wrinkle is that a French orthopedic surgeon did a specific xray that showed me to have bow legs. I now find that with TKR, the knees can be un-bowed, and I can walk straighter and taller, especially with more minimally invasive approaches. Each new learning provides new rays of hope.

[FirstnameLastName-sxls]

TKR June '22. I ran prior to surgery. Now, I'm going back to it. Some pain, much much less than pre-surgery. I've also added cycling, I want to add swimming. 53yo 5'10" 205 lbs. I was really concerned about revision surgery in the future. At this age, I'm sure it will happen.

[brendanmckiernan]

Excellent and comprehensive information, keep up the good work

[pamg]

In 2023 I had both of my knees TKR, I'm 70 and plan to return to playing senior softball, any thoughts on why I should not. I'm back in the gym doing lots of weights on my arms and legs, my next step is to get back into running to get back into form. I've played softball of my adult life, so I know what not to do running the bases.

[medicinegone]

Thank you for this video. This is the closest thing to good news I've gotten since 4mos ago when I first talked to my surgeon about this. I have done mountain trail runs for years, have needed to do less and less of it over the past year or two. I had partial knee replacement in both knees just over 3 weeks ago. I assume your information is in regards to full knee replacements. Is it different for partial? Thank you!

[adele.]

Very informative and encouraging information! I would love to see more information/presentations from you about outside the box workout routines to be done during the first 6 weeks post TKR surgery!

[CK-hozf]

Had a TKR in Nov 2022
Completed a 70.3 IM in Nov 2023.
Am I "overdoing" it? I hope not. I am having too much fun running again. However, I do have a "velcro-sounding patella" and should properly be fixing that soon.
I am a 64 yr old female and would like to know if there are other TKR runners who are running again after their op?

[domenicodallecrode]

I had a tkr to the left in sept. 2022.I've been a motocross racer in the Italian championship since I was 18.Lately I just rode for fun in easy track.I did run, mtb and weight work out to keep an acceptable body strength to ride.I planned to get back to ride in july.I tried to short run but did not feel 100% confident yet.I just want to hiligth my intent:I did the tkr cause I want keep doing the sport of my life as long as I can, and if the hardware gonna last even just 10 years well, close to 80 I can accepted to spend my time in couchsurfing.Saluti dall'Italia.

[pieternel]

Wonderful video!

Any advicee on a recovery schedule after orthroscopy operation?

[alexandravargova]

Thank you so much for this great video!

[ronald]

Excellent presentation and great advice. Well researched.

[sudhakarank.n]

Wonderful video many thanks. Pl make a video on knee muscle strengthing excercise.

[peterdidow]

I had both of my knees replaced 4.5 months ago and have tried running for the first time in about five years. The last time I tried running before this I was playing baseball and I crashed and slid into the ground running to the first base. I have been very physically active for the last couple of years through cycling and weight training. I could not run. Now I can though it is a clumsy slow jog. Once upon a time I was a sprinter in high school and my goal is to be able to run up to a kilometer at a time - no long distances just training so I can chase or run from someone if needed or really just for fun . I want the joints to last of course, but not at the cost of not being able to use them as I would my natural joints when they still functioned. Can they just replace them again in 20 yrs or whatever if need be?

[justjokingjonesy]

So I'm 30 need a knee replacement though rheumatoid arthritis and can I just say thank you so much for your video, as soon as you said cycling you made my day coz. I thought well if I can't run or cycle what's the point of having it done.mmuch appreciated

[KevinWheatley-lu]

Hi i am from Sydney Australia just had my left knee replacement surgery now ive had both knees and both hips done im a ex pro bodybuilder i did loose alot of weight after my hip replacements down to 85kg i ran 4km about 3 times aweek and weights no squats then the kness had to be done about 15 years later my weight is 120kg due to trt replacement therapy and not exercising enough due to knee pain and operations had my left knee done 3 weeks ago right 12 months ago this left knee is far painful todsy i did 40 mins on bike tomorrow i start in the pool then week after hit the gym anyone with questions let me know