TKR, court sports

I am a walker, had second total knee January 2023, and have been reluctant to initiate court sports, due to potential effects on the total knees. I do not have the final answer. You must ask your Ortho MD and physical therapist. I do know some are planning to resume court sports. Wish I could help more.

Hi, I am 72 and had a TKR 8 months ago. My orthopedic surgeon told me I could go back to playing tennis and pickleball. At 4 months post op I resumed pickleball slowly to acclimate to it again. I'm having no problem with my knee, and some of my friends have also had TKR within the last year and play tennis and pickleball. I do use a lot of common sense when I play and don't run for difficult balls to return. I am enjoying returning to social games. I am so glad I had my knee replaced as I am no longer in pain and have the ability to do all the things I love.
I do think you are wise to ask questions and prepare mentally prior to the surgery. Mental preparation was crucial for me in getting through the first couple of months after surgery . I was able to have realistic expectations. Hope all goes well for you when you have your surgery.

Hey Zack I was a marathon runner in my 30s and 40s. Pretty good too, just under 3 hours. Osteoarthritis ate up all my knee cartilage and I had both knees replaced in 2022. I feel great.

I bike, use the rowing machine, lift weights including squats - but on the advice of my excellent surgeon, I don't run anymore and I wouldn't do court sports even if I wanted to. There is impact on the knee and stress on the lateral and medial sides.

Now you could probably do it and feel fine for a while. But a TKR is not 100% anatomically correct. Where there was meniscus and cartilage, there are now very, very hard pieces of plastic (polyethylene).

These will break down with impact sports. I don't wanna go through another replacement, or the pain and swelling that leads up to it. I'd avoid all these contact sports. FWIW.

Thanks, heyjoe. Not the feedback I want to hear, but I appreciate your down-the-middle candor.

If “heyjoe” comes from the song popularized by Hendrix, I recommend the Otis Taylor version from his “Hey Joe Opus Red Meat” album.

@zacklucy When I had my hips replaced, I asked the doctor about resuming running and court sports. He said, "Well, it's up to you, but remember, these are not going to last you for the next 40 years (I was young) but they can last 30 or more if you are reasonable. Can't you find something else you like?"

Fast forward 7 years - I needed full revision on both hips (nothing to do with abusing them - they were recalled.) It was like doing the replacements "all over again" - except I was a few years older and they had to work around the previous scar tissue, etc - NO FUN.

Now my "new hips" are 12 years old, and I am zealous about protecting them - the prospect of doing surgery again when I am in my 80's does not appeal to me. So I walk, hike, even scramble on rocks a bit, bike, dance, do yoga, garden, run around with grandkids and grand-dogs, but I don't run or play court sports any more.

So my question to you is "Can't you find something else to like?"
Sue
PS I am hoping this will also preserve my arthritic knees...

Thanks for the sing recommendation Zack! I'll check it out. and FWIW, I agree with Sue. joint replacement is an investment. Protect it and it will reward you. And it's never too late to learn a new sport. I've taken up rowing (indoor) and spin classes and love em.