Can I run after total joint replacement surgery?
That’s a great question. Today on the Doc On the Run Podcast we are talking with the Bionic Runner about running after total joint replacement surgery.
When a runner’s joint wears out, one option is to remove the damaged cartilage and replace the joint through artificial joint surgery. The problem is, artificial joints typically wear out a lot faster than normal joints.
The base assumption is the running will wear out an artificial total joint replacement.
More than 25 years ago an orthopedic surgeon told me that I should stop running.
He said if I didn’t stop running I would have to have an artificial joint replacement. He also said if I ran on that artificial joint I would destroy the joint replacement surgery, ruin the implant and would have to have yet another surgery.
Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we are talking with Eric, who is know on Instagram as theBionicRunner and on twitter as bionicrunner. Eric is a who had a total joint replacement and his is still running and killing it!
I wanted to get Eric on the show to share his story with you because many runners are told to stop running when their joints start to get worn out. Doctors try to frighten us into stopping running. This actually happened to me.
Before I went to medical schools I raced motorcycles professionally. It may not surprise you to hear I got injured while racing motorcycles. In fact I got injured many times. One of those injuries resulted in me having to have two surgeries on my left knee. The second surgery was a reconstruction. I still have big screws my leg with one of the screws actually sticking out of the front of my tibia.
But the important point is it after that reconstructive knee surgery my doctor told me that I should never run again. Ever.
He told me and said if I didn’t stop running I would have to have a total joint replacement surgery within 10 years. He also told me I would not be able to run with a total knee joint replacement, after I ruined my fragile knee.
Since that time I have continued to run for a period of about 25 years. I’ve done lots of marathons. I have done 15 Ironman races including the world championships in Hawaii. I was an Ironman all world athlete. And this year, when I turned 50, I did my first 50 mile trail race.
So I can say conclusively, my doctor was wrong! And your doctor just might be wrong, too.
Today Eric is going to share his story and help you understand all the considerations you really need to think about in relation to running and total joint surgeries.
If a doctor told you have to stop running, Eric is going hope you put that advice in the proper perspective. And if you’re seriously bummed out because some doctor told you that you simply will not be able to run a total joint replacement, you need to listen closely.
If there’s any one person on the planet who can provide the proper perspective and inspiration for runners considering total joint replacement surgery, it’s Eric.
Eric, welcome to the show!
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
Before we get into some questions maybe you could just give us a little bit more background about your running history, how long have you been running, etc.
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
Throughout your life what kind of running have you enjoyed most?
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
Why did you need a total joint replacement surgery?
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
What wore out your joint? Was it an injury, just wear-and-tear?
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
Was it joint pain or a loss of running ability/speed that finally led you to consider a total joint replacement surgery?
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
What was it like, from an emotional standpoint, hearing a doctor tell you that you had destroyed your joint and would need surgery to replace your worn out his with a total joint replacement?
Eric the BionicRunner:
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Dr. Segler:
Before your joint replacement surgery, did the doctor tell you to stop running?
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
Did any of your friends or family try to convince you that your running days were over?
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
Did anyone tell you you would never run again?
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
Tell us about the actually hip replacement surgery. How did the total joint replacement surgery go?
Eric the BionicRunner:
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Dr. Segler:
What did you do before your joint replacement surgery to stay strong and help ensure a successful recovery? Did you do any kind of pre-hab to get stronger before the total joint replacement surgery?
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
Explain the total joint surgery recovery process. Was the recovery easier or more difficult than you anticipated?
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
What did you do through the recover to prepare your body to run with your new bionic joint.
Eric the BionicRunner:
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Dr. Segler:
How did you decide when you were recovered and healed enough to start running?
Eric the BionicRunner:
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Dr. Segler:
Tell us how you are doing now. Are you just kinda half-tuning or are you back in full training and racing.
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
Is your running better now, with a total joint replacement, is your running better than it was in that year prior to the total replacement surgery.
Eric the BionicRunner:
.
Dr. Segler:
For all of the listeners out there who love running as much as you do, but have achy, creaky, stiff painful joints, for those how have been told they need to stop running or they will need a total joint replacement at some point in the future, what advice can you share with them.
Eric the BionicRunner:
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Dr. Segler:
For the runner who is considering joint replacement and listening right now, what would you say is the #1 most important thing they can do to make sure they can run AFTER the surgery?
Eric the BionicRunner:
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Dr. Segler:
And lastly for all of those runners who are frustrated, demoralized, and depressed because a doctor has told them they need a total joint replacement…and they have been told they won’t run again…what words of encouragement can you offer to them?
Eric the BionicRunner:
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Dr. Segler:
I’ve certainly learned a lot today and it’s really been great having you on the show!
Eric, thanks so much for taking time out of your schedule to share all of your inspiration and experience with our listeners today.
What is the best way for our listeners to follow you if they want to see what is really possible after a total joint replacement?
Eric the BionicRunner
You can find me here:
Links mentioned in the Podcast:
Follow Eric on Twitter:@bionicrunner
Follow Eric on Instagram at…thebionicrunner
Follow Eric on Facebook profile is under my name…Eric Bronkala
Find Eric on Strava under his name Eric Bronkala
If you have a question that you would like answered as a future addition of the Doc On The Run Podcast, send it to me PodcastQuestion@docontherun.com. And then make sure you join me for the next edition of the Doc On The Run Podcast!
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