What is your name and with what hand do you play pickleball?
Mike Strahine, right handed
What replacement did you have and how old were you when it was done?
Total left knee replacement, 61 years old
How long was your rehab (when were you back on the pickleball court, how many weeks of PT, etc.)? Were there setbacks or complications, did you do PT at home, etc.
I was fortunate to be back on courts playing slowing at five weeks, one to two games at a time, 2-3 times per week. I was at full speed within 7-8 weeks. I completed 3-4 PT sessions per week for three weeks prior to beginning playing at five weeks. Although I had more PT sessions scheduled, I was able to achieve the appropriate 120% knee bend set my PT specialist and was moving well enough during my PT sessions that my specialist gave me the approval to begin pickleball again. On the days I was not with my PT sessions, I was doing a daily set of exercises prescribed by my PT specialist. The key to getting back so quickly, was staying on top of the PT sessions and doing the exercises at home, while staying ahead of any pain during the initial days after surgery. My biggest challenge was having to rebuild my stamina when I first return to playing. I would be exhausted after just one or two games. Over time, I returned to normal playing shape.
How many years had you played pickleball before the procedure?
4 years
What is your best pickleball shot?
- Forehand ground stroke
- Backhand ground stroke
- Serve
- Dinking
- Drop shots
- Baseline lob
- Other
After your procedure, is it still your best shot or is it something else now?
Yes
What is 1 thing you wish you knew before you had the procedure?
When your knee starts to deteriorate, you can only do minimal things like ice, brace, rest, exercise, meds etc. to eliminate some of the pain. Over time, you will have take a more progressive approach to your knee problems.
Please share any other detail (why it was needed, if you would do it again and if not – why, challenges you overcame or didn’t – and how you are dealing with it, etc.).
I would definitely do the surgery again. I had played through the pain for a few years prior to surgery and had pushed my knee as far as it was going to go. I made a decision that I wanted a better quality of life and surgery gave me that.
What pickleball successes have you had since the procedure?
The knee replacement has not affected my game in any negative way. Had I not had the surgery, I would not be able to play at the level I am currently playing.
Photo by Eric Wilson (ifr38@yahoo.com) from the 2017 Scarborough East Holiday Christmas Tournament.
