For athletes like runners and triathletes, knee health is crucial to their performance and overall quality of life. Knee pain and injuries can be frustrating setbacks, making it hard to keep up with training and pushing your body to the limit. You’re not alone if you’ve wondered whether a knee replacement might be in your future. Fortunately, specialists like Dr. Sabrina Strickland of the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) are leading the way in helping athletes tackle these challenges.
Dr. Strickland brings unparalleled knee surgery and joint preservation expertise, particularly for active individuals. Her work focuses on sports injuries, advanced surgical techniques, and innovative treatments designed to help athletes get back to what they love. Whether you’re dealing with cartilage damage, arthritis, or a lingering knee injury that won’t heal, her dedication to cutting-edge solutions provides hope and clarity for those facing tough decisions about their knee health.
Traditional Knee Replacement Options
For those with severe knee damage or arthritis, knee replacement surgery may be considered. Here’s a breakdown of the most common forms of replacement surgeries for athletes.
Total Knee Replacement (TKR) involves replacing the entire knee joint with artificial metal and plastic components. While it provides substantial pain relief, it’s a more aggressive approach often reserved for extreme cases. For high-performance athletes, it can take time and rehabilitation to adjust back to rigorous activity.
Partial Knee Replacement (PKR) – Athletes with damage localized to one area of the knee may benefit from this targeted solution. A partial replacement retains more of the natural knee structure, allowing for quicker recovery and a more natural range of motion. It’s an excellent option for runners or triathletes experiencing pain in isolated sections of the joint.
However, with either of these options, Dr. Strickland recommends avoiding running, focusing on swimming and biking instead.
Minimally Invasive Approaches
For athletes, the goal is often to minimize downtime and get back to training as soon as possible. Minimally invasive surgical methods make this a reality by reducing recovery times and preserving healthy tissue.
Unlike traditional surgeries, these techniques use smaller incisions and less disruption to surrounding muscles and tendons, leading to quicker rehabilitation and less overall impact on the body. Dr. Strickland’s expertise in these methods ensures athletes can experience smoother recoveries with optimal outcomes, enabling a faster return to active lifestyles.
New Innovations in Knee Surgery
Athletes constantly push themselves to achieve personal bests, and advancements in knee surgery are meeting that same pace of innovation. Here are some of the latest developments helping to shape the future of knee care for runners and triathletes.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells hold promise for athletes seeking alternatives to surgery. These regenerative cells, often harvested from the patient’s body, can repair tissue and encourage cartilage growth. For early-stage injuries or arthritis, stem cell therapy could delay or even eliminate the need for replacement surgery, keeping athletes in the game longer. Dr. Strickland emphasizes the importance of exploring such non-invasive treatments, particularly for those hoping to preserve their natural joints as long as possible.
FDA Trials and Emerging Technologies
Thanks to ongoing FDA trials and research, athletes can access groundbreaking treatments like bioengineered cartilage and robotic surgical systems. These innovations are improving precision and recovery and opening up safer, more effective options tailored to athletes’ bodies’ demands.
MISHA Procedure
The MISHA Knee System is an innovative implantable shock absorber (ISA) designed to unload the knee, relieve pain, and improve function, particularly for patients with medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). It offers a minimally invasive solution for those who have not received relief from non-surgical or surgical treatments and are not yet ready for knee replacement.
Unique Considerations for Athletes
When deciding whether to have a knee replacement, athletes should consider several specific factors, including their goals for performance and training.
Impact on Training
Knee pain that limits your ability to train or compete at your best may signal that it’s time to consider further medical intervention.
Long-Term Solutions
Deciding between surgery, stem cell therapy, or other minimally invasive options depends on the severity of your issue and your desire to maintain a high-performance lifestyle.
Recovery Timeline
Athletes often worry about how quickly they’ll be able to get back to their routines. Discussing these concerns with specialists like Dr. Strickland ensures you understand your recovery timeline and can plan accordingly.
Athletes Who Overcame Knee Challenges
Take a look at Lindsey Vonn, an elite athlete, who recently underwent a partial knee replacement, have demonstrated the incredible potential of this procedure. Just months after her surgery, she placed 2nd at the World Cup in skiing, proving that with the right treatment and determination, athletes can return to peak performance.
There are Alternatives to Full Knee Replacement
A knee replacement is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution, especially for athletes. With advancements like partial replacements, stem cell therapy, and minimally invasive techniques, there are now options tailored to the needs of runners and triathletes. Experts like Dr. Sabrina Strickland are at the forefront of these advancements, helping athletes maintain performance and return to the activities they love.
If knee pain holds you back, it’s time to act. Consult your doctor and seek guidance from specialists like Dr. Strickland at HSS. (Full disclosure, she’s been my orthopedic surgeon for at least 10 years, and I recommend her to everyone!)
You can explore treatment options and choose the path that aligns with your goals. Because at the end of the day, nothing should stand between you and the finish line.