Knee resources

Where can I learn more

If knee pain is affecting your daily life, the right information can help. These resources can guide you as you learn more about your condition and treatment options.

Questions to ask your doctor

If you are unsure about starting a conversation, consider these questions that can help you discuss your knee pain and understand whether knee replacement or other treatments may be right for you.

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Which pain-relief options are suitable for me?
How much improvement can I expect from non-surgical and surgical treatments?
Am I eligible for partial knee replacement?
How is knee replacement done?
What should I expect after the surgery?
How much pain will I feel after surgery, and how is it managed?
What are the risks or complications of knee replacement, or other treatment options?
Will I have mobility restrictions? For how long?
How long will I be in the hospital?
How long before I can return to my normal activities?
When will I be able to drive?
Is knee replacement surgery covered by my insurance?
Which company’s joint replacement products would you use for me? Why?
Will you be performing the surgery?
How many knee replacements have you performed?

Preparing for surgery

Preparing for knee replacement begins a few weeks before the actual surgery. The checklist below outlines some common tasks that your surgeon may ask you to complete in the weeks prior to your surgery date.

*Check with your surgeon to discuss your specific pre-surgery instructions and risks.

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In the weeks ahead

Exercise under your doctor’s supervision.
Get a physical.
Get a dental checkup.
Stop smoking.
Lose weight if you’re overweight (as per guidance from the doctor).

Closer to the surgery

Arrange a pre-surgery visit with your doctor.
Get lab tests that the doctor orders.
Talk to your surgeon’s team about if or when to stop your routine medications.

The night before

Fast – nothing to eat or drink.
Bathe the surgical area with the antiseptic solution provided to you (under doctor’s guidance).

Recovery

Every patient recovers differently. However, here are some of the things you may expect in the days, weeks, and months following knee replacement surgery.

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Immediately following surgery

Your orthopaedic surgeon, nurses, and physical therapists will closely monitor your recovery progress.
Most knee replacement patients are encouraged to walk with assistance, such as a cane, walker, or crutches, on a level surface and climb up and down two or three stairs within one to four days after surgery or before discharge from the hospital.²

Once you’ve been moved to a regular hospital room, the physical therapist will recommend certain exercises for your replaced knee.
Initially, activity will cause discomfort, so your care team may recommend pain medication prior to physical therapy. Gradually, your pain medication will be reduced, the IV will be removed, your diet will progress to solids, and you will become increasingly mobile.

Your physical therapist will talk with you about how to continue your progress after your hospital stay. They will also go over exercises to help improve your mobility.
A nurse may show you how to best perform daily activities, such as putting on socks, reaching for household items, and bathing.
A nurse/ someone from the doctor’s team will discuss plans for your return home to help ensure you have all the necessary support for your recovery.

Once you get home

In the weeks following surgery, certain limitations are placed on every patient’s activities. Using a cane or walker may be necessary for several weeks.

Call your doctor to report or discuss any concerns.
Ask your doctor about how to care for the wound.
Ask your doctor about any unusual symptoms that you should look out for after surgery. This may include, but is not limited to, pain in your leg unrelated to your incision, persistent fever, severe swelling, or drainage from the wound.
Movement is essential to a healthy recovery. Once light activity becomes possible, it’s important to incorporate healthy exercise into your recovery program. Recommended activities include gradually increased walking and light household activities, such as climbing stairs. Work with your physical therapist to determine what’s right for you.

Life after total knee replacement

After the initial recovery from surgery, most people can resume normal routine activities within the first 3 to 6 weeks of their total knee replacement.¹ When fully recovered, the majority of individuals who have joint replacement surgery experience a reduction in joint pain and an improvement in their ability to participate in daily activities.³

It’s important to know that knee replacement surgery will not allow you to do more than you could before joint problems developed. Also, athletic activities that place excessive stress on the replaced joint, such as basketball, distance running, contact sports or frequent jumping, should be avoided. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate level of activity for you.

References:

Marecek GS, Schafer MF. Driving after orthopaedic surgery. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013;21(11):696-706
AAOS. Activities after knee replacement. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/activities-after-knee-replacement/ Accessed 7 Feb 2019.
AAOS. Before and after total joint replacement. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/before-and-after-total-joint-replacement-video/. Accessed 12 November 2018

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