Is it Safe to Play Pickleball After Knee Replacement?

  • Date: November 15, 2022
  • Time to read: 5 min.

Pickleball is a low-impact sport that is perfect for people of all ages. However, if you have had a knee replacement, you may be wondering if it is safe to play. The good news is that pickleball is generally safe for people with knee replacements. The main thing to keep in mind is to take things slowly at first and listen to your body.

If you start to feel any pain or discomfort, stop playing and rest. It is also important to warm up before playing and to cool down afterwards. Pickleball is a great way to get exercise and have fun, so don’t be afraid to give it a try after your knee replacement. With a little bit of care, you can enjoy this game for years to come.

Exercises to avoid after knee replacement

While it is acceptable to play pickleball after knee replacement, there are certain exercises you should avoid. These exercises are not meant to put additional stress on your knees or your body. You should consult with your doctor about your specific condition to make sure you can continue playing pickleball.

Although pickleball is not that hard on the body as other sports, these exercises will strengthen your legs and lower body to reduce the stress placed on your knees. You should also consider strengthening your upper body to reduce the risk of shoulder injuries.

Running

The high-impact nature of running can jar the knee, causing pain and potentially damaging the new joint. Instead, patients are advised to stick to low-impact exercises like swimming or walking. These activities provide an excellent workout without putting too much strain on the knee. As you continue to heal, you can gradually increase your activity level and may even be able to return to running in the future. However, it is important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard too soon. Knee replacement surgery is a big deal, so be sure to give yourself the time you need to recover properly before hitting the pavement again.

Jogging

If you’ve had a knee replacement, jogging probably isn’t the best exercise for you. That’s because high-impact activities like jogging can put too much stress on your new joint, causing pain and potentially leading to long-term damage. Instead, try low-impact exercises like walking or swimming, which will give you a good workout without putting too much strain on your knee. You should also avoid any activities that involve sudden changes in direction, as this can put unnecessary stress on your joint. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your new knee stays healthy and lasts for many years to come.

High-impact activities such as football, basketball, or hockey

You should avoid high-impact activities like football, basketball or hockey to prevent knee injuries. These activities place too much stress on your knees, which can lead to painful injuries and even back problems. Instead, try low-impact activities that don’t put too much stress on your joints like walking or swimming.

Exercises that require sudden stops and starts

Excessive jumping or hopping

Activities that put stress on the knees, such as deep knee bends or lunges

Sports to resume after surgery

While the goal of knee replacement surgery is to allow patients to resume more physical activity, the success rate in returning to sports varies by patient. In general, patients who are in good physical health are more likely to resume their favorite sports after surgery. Low impact and low-tech sports can also be safely resumed after surgery.

After knee replacement surgery, most surgeons encourage patients to begin weight-bearing mobilization with a walking aid as soon as possible. Individual surgeons set different guidelines for advancing activity.

The goal of physical therapy is to improve strength and ranges of motion, as well as proprioception. It may take anywhere from three to six months to return to sports. Younger patients and those who have high motivation levels can return to low-intensity sports sooner.

Here is a list of low-intensity activities and sports that you can resume after knee replacement surgery.

  • Walking
  • Hiking
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Pickleball
  • Badminton
  • Softball
  • Volleyball
  • Yoga
  • Tai chi

Tips to get back to playing pickleball

It’s great that you’re eager to get back out on the pickleball court! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you start to think about playing again: 

Give yourself time to heal: It’s important to give your knee ample time to recover from surgery. Depending on the type of procedure you had, your doctor will likely recommend waiting 4-6 weeks before starting any impact activity. 

  • Start slow: Once you’ve been cleared by your doctor, start with some light cross-training exercises like riding a stationary bike or swimming. These activities will help increase your range of motion and build strength without putting too much stress on your knee. 
  • Build up gradually: Once you feel comfortable with cross-training, you can start doing more high-intensity exercises.

It’s also a good idea to take a look at your movement patterns. While injuries are usually easier to treat at an early stage, if you don’t address movement patterns, they can turn into a more serious condition. A movement evaluation will help you identify the specific issues that may have caused your injury and provide a specific framework to get back to playing pickleball after knee replacement.

Here is the full list of tips you can apply after you were cleared by your doctor.

  • Warm up properly with gentle twists, lunges, bends, and stretches for the muscles and joints.
  • Do some short sprints or jogs to warm up during a match.
  • Get a movement evaluation to help identify the specific issues that may have caused your injury and provide a specific framework.
  • Work with an orthopaedic rehab specialist to help you get back to playing pickleball after knee replacement.
  • Keep the knees in a neutral position while returning to pickleball and avoid the “knee-lifter” situation.
  • Be sure to activate your gluteal muscles while returning to pickleball.
  • Don’t overdo it during your first practice back after knee replacement surgery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is safe to resume playing pickleball after knee replacement surgery when following your doctor’s orders and using common sense. There are a few exercises to avoid, as well as sports, but pickleball is generally okay. Be sure to take things slow at first and increase your activity level gradually to avoid any setbacks.

Can Pickleball Be Played on Grass?

Previous Post

Can Pickleball Be Played on Grass?

Next Post

How to Track the Ball in Pickleball

How to Track the Ball in Pickleball