Total Knee Replacement Surgery- How Long Until One Can Start Back Playing?

[j2pac]

I’ve been through total shoulder replacements on both shoulders, the first one (right) 38 years ago with numerous revisions over the next 10 years before I finally quit playing golf.

I had the left shoulder replaced 8 years ago, so I know the importance of the rehab. With my shoulders, I’m extremely fortunate that I can still play pain free pool. I’m just hoping the knee replacements work out as well.

Be sensible, and listen to your body. You'll be back at the table in no time.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

As a reference I’m 61 years old, 6 feet tall and weigh 207 pounds.

What, no banana?

pj <- dull
chgo

 

[Sealegs50]

It’s been 3 weeks since my surgery. I’m over the hump - the first 2 weeks were rough pain wise, much worse than I anticipated and I never left the house. My hope was to start shooting a little pool after 1 month and I’m planning on trying that next week, but not pushing it.

My 6 week outpatient PT program starts next week, but I’ve been diligent on my exercises at home during my home PT visits and on my own, and making slow progress. I’m still on Tylenol regularly, but I discontinued the opioid pain meds after 1 week due to all the side effects.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the pool goes, but I won’t push it. First time I’ve gone more than a week without playing in 9 years since my total shoulder replacement, in which I went around 9-10 weeks without playing any.

Hopefully I haven’t forgotten too much after nearly 60 years of playing. I’m most concerned about the comfort of my normal stance over the ball and how that feels on my knee. I’m thinking maybe 2-3 weeks after starting to practice before I have the stamina to consider playing in our weekly 9-ball tournament, which can take up to 5-6 hours if you make it to the late rounds.

My right knee was replaced almost 2 years ago. I don’t recall how long it took to play pool. After 5 or 6 weeks, I was walking a mile and was playing 9 holes of golf another 3 weeks after that. 6 months post-surgery, my wife and I travelled to London where we walked 10-12 miles each day.

Going up a flight of stairs is a level of accomplishment. But going down stairs (not just dropping down to each step) takes the longest amount of time. That was almost 6 months.

Keep at your rehab exercises. They are worth the effort.