Exercising With a Knee Replacement in the Gym

I had a knee replacement completed in 1999 in Tampa, Florida. I was 44 years old at the time and had injured the right knee from a previous motorcycle accident. I was informed by my orthopedic surgeon that weight training will be out of the question once the knee is replaced at least with my right leg.

You are usually instructed to either swim or bicycle for instance as these are low impact activities that will not place stress on the components. For most knee or hip replacement patients that will be fine as most candidates for a replacement will be over 65 years of age.

We are however in this day and age seeing more joint replacement surgeries with younger people. The baby boomers are coming of age and joint disease is becoming more common. Younger patients tend to be more active as well and will find it difficult to curb previous activities.

Knee and hip components have a come a long way since 1999 however, they still are not designed for high impact activities like running for instance. I advise after a knee replacement that once you get the pain to subside and obtain full range of motion again that you get started with a strengthening program with the joint as soon as possible.

Before starting a program remember that you will need to be cleared by your doctor and that is usually 6-8 weeks out depending on the individual and the orthopedic surgeon.

I am a natural bodybuilder and I will admit stopping weight training with my legs would have been hard to do. To keep your legs strong I have found that the leg press found in any gym is a wonderful tool to keep the quadriceps strong along with leg extensions. Keep the weight light work on higher repetitions and you should be just fine.

keeping the calves strong as well is very important and the standing calf raise along with the seated soleus machine will keep the muscles below the knee strong as well. Remember the thighs, hamstrings and calves are there to support the knee as well and you will get more mileage out of the knee replacement if the supporting muscles are kept strong and toned.

Maintaining strong legs will also help and improve your balance after the surgery and will improve your gait pattern as well.

Hit the weights after the surgery, listen to your body and you should be fine providing you have had weight training experience in the past. If you have not been into weight training or lifting get someone competent in the area to instruct you to get you started on the right track.

Return after your surgery stronger then you were before. Weight training will also build muscle which will in turn help you loose some of those unwanted pounds you accumulated before the surgery due to inactivity. The loss of body weight will also buy you more time with the replacement. I have been training with weights on both legs for years now after the replacement without a problem. Strong legs will buy you independence in the years ahead.