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Breaststroke kick and artificial knee(s)

ForceDJ

I’m back in the pool after my brief (about a month) layoff following my October 23rd knee replacement surgery. I just had to wait for the incision to heal. And, I’ve completed all my physical therapy. But, something I read when I was Googling “swimming with artificial knee” said that breaststroke kick should NOT be performed. And although I’m not a consummate breaststroker, I can understand that because I have suffered with breaststroker’s knee (https://motionhealth.com.au/common-conditions/knee/breaststrokers-knee/). But what I don’t recall reading is if refraining from breaststroke kick is something for the rest of my life, or just until the muscles and ligaments around the knee heal properly (which they pretty much have). I’m hoping other knee replacement swimmers can give their experience swimming breaststroke after surgery. — Dan

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  • Dan,

    I am 2 yrs post TKA.  Before TKA, I could not kick breaststroke due to bone-on-bone osteoarthritis.  Almost from the time I started swimming (6 weeks like you), I have used breaststroke kick as part of my rehab.  For the first 4-5 months, it was gentle, slow, and a mechanical 3 step kick: draw heels to butt with knees hip width apart, turn toes out, kick straight back.  During that time, any lateral/circular movement was uncomfortable.  Forward movement was minimal.  :)  I focus on good mechanics to avoid a sloppy, circular kick.

    Today was an IM day, of the 4,000 yard practice, 900 yards was breaststroke. No pain nor discomfort and I am kicking forcefully.

    Your flexion/extension as well as your muscle strength and ligament tension will dictate what you can/cannot do.  At 6 weeks, I was >120 and -2, so able to go through the motions.  However, there was tightness in the joint which limited active flexion to about 90 degrees.  You probably see the same thing when do standing leg curls.  

    As your surgeon probably told you, you are not going to hurt the components.  I did alot of research including a chat with an engineer who spent 30  years studying why knee replacement components fail.  The guys playing 3 hours of basketball and running marathons are rare and there is no literature on what happened to them in 10 years.  My engineer friend (Dartmouth Thayer School of Engineering) told me to avoid regular, consistent impact activities (like running) because, over years, the impact can loosen the component stems in your femur and tibia and they have to be replaced with longer stems.  Luckily, swimming (flip turns, breaststroke, starts, etc.) is not on the list of activities to avoid. A TKA revision is not something I want to go through.

    So, from my experience, give it a go with the caveat - if it hurts, don't do it.  You have to realize that complete healing will take at least a year.  This procedure messes with every muscle, tendon, ligament in the leg.  Don't be surprised that you are still only lightly kicking breaststroke after 12 months.

    Feel free to PM me separately if you want more info.

    Happy Holidays,

    Paul

  • in reply to Windrath

    Thanks for the info and response, Paul. Very informative. As a (former) runner, and an artificial hip recipient I understand that regular long running is not the best activity. Although I was under the assumption that it was the contact surfaces that would degrade, and not the stems loosening. I also do a fair amount of cycling. I just wish I could again be a runner.

    Dan

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  • in reply to Windrath

    Thanks for the info and response, Paul. Very informative. As a (former) runner, and an artificial hip recipient I understand that regular long running is not the best activity. Although I was under the assumption that it was the contact surfaces that would degrade, and not the stems loosening. I also do a fair amount of cycling. I just wish I could again be a runner.

    Dan

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