Tammy first started running competitively in junior high in 1981 as a member of her school’s track team. Over the decades, running has become a constant in her life and a part of who she is. “Running is freeing,” Tammy said. “It brings me peace. My husband can even tell a difference if I haven’t gone for a run.”

In 1990, she was involved in a serious car accident that severely damaged her knee. Surgeons reconstructed the joint using pins and wires, piecing the bones back together. Over time, some of that hardware broke and required additional procedures to repair or replace it.

Over the years, Tammy continued to run and address issues in her knee when they bothered her. But in 2024, it was a different story. “At first I thought it was just a screw causing the problem,” she said. But the pain started disrupting not just her runs, but her daily life. That’s when she scheduled an appointment with Andrew Schneider, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at WashU Medicine.

An Unexpected Diagnosis

Tammy arrived expecting a simple fix. “I was certain it was going to be a screw removal,” she said. Instead, imaging revealed a more complicated issue. Years after her traumatic injury, Tammy had developed arthritis in multiple areas of her knee joint. "When arthritis is affecting a patient’s quality of life and conservative treatments have failed, a total knee replacement becomes a great option,” Dr. Schneider explained.

For Tammy, the news was surprising and overwhelming. “I panicked,” she said. Dr. Schneider listened, explained Tammy’s options, and gave her time to think it over. After a quick phone call with her sister, Tammy was ready to move forward. She scheduled surgery that same day.

One Goal: Run Again

From the beginning, Tammy was clear about one thing – she wanted to run again. “If I couldn’t run afterward, I would have put the surgery off until I couldn’t walk anymore,” she said. Dr. Schneider understood how important that goal was to her and was determined to restore function and strength in Tammy’s knee.

Today’s knee replacements are designed to support active lifestyles. “Many people still believe knee replacements wear out quickly,” Dr. Schneider said. “But with modern materials and techniques, knee replacements can last 30 to 40 years.” Using robotic-assisted technology during Tammy’s surgery allowed for precise positioning of the implant and careful restoration of the joint. “Knee replacement outcomes are a partnership,” Dr. Schneider said. Choosing the right surgeon matters, but patient determination plays a huge role.

A Remarkably Fast Comeback 

Tammy’s recovery moved quickly. “It wasn’t nearly as painful as I expected,” she said. Physical therapy began immediately, including time on a stationary bike to rebuild strength and mobility. Even Dr. Schneider noticed how quickly she progressed. “Tammy recovered exceptionally fast in terms of strength and range of motion,” he said. “Everything was on an accelerated track for her recovery.”

“What stood out to me was her determination,” Dr. Schneider said. “She was determined to run again.” Within months, Tammy was back on the road, starting with short runs and gradually building distance. By her second post-op follow-up visit, she was already running three miles.

Back at the Starting Line

Seven months after surgery, Tammy set out to run the GO! St. Louis Half Marathon. Standing at the starting line that morning, she admitted she felt nervous. This was the moment she had been working toward. The race began and mile after mile, her knee held up. No pain. No swelling.

“It felt wonderful knowing I could still run,” Tammy said. “It debunks all the ‘you can’t’ stories people hear after knee replacement."

For the year after knee replacement, Tammy approached races cautiously, simply hoping to finish without pain or swelling, including a full marathon one year after her surgery. Now, she knows her knee can handle the distance, and she plans to push herself harder.  “I wanted to prove I could finish a half marathon and even a full without pain,” she said. “Now I’m ready to see what I can really do.”

 Tammy’s knee replacement didn’t mark the end of her running career – it gave her the chance to start again.