After trying physical therapy, medicine, and other treatments for your arthritic knee, you may be considering a total knee replacement. This surgery has helped many find relief from pain and mobility issues that make it hard to do the everyday things they love, such as walking the dog or picking up young grandchildren.
A knee replacement can make a significant improvement in your daily life, but it may take a while for you to get back to your normal activity levels. Let’s break down what your knee replacement recovery timeline will look like in the days, weeks, and months after your surgery.
What can you expect in the days after your total knee replacement?
During total knee replacement surgery, your surgeon will cut away the damaged bone and tissue from your knee joint . Then, they will implant an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.
After your surgery, you’ll stay in the hospital for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. During that time, your medical team will monitor your recovery. Typically, they will help you stand and walk with assistance as soon as 12 to 24 hours after your surgery. A physical therapist will show you knee-strengthening exercises that will help with your knee replacement recovery.
When you’re discharged, you will need someone to give you a ride home from the hospital or surgery center. During your first few days at home, you will probably feel more tired than normal. Your job will be to find a balance between staying active and giving your body rest when you need it. Try to avoid sitting in one place for more than an hour at a time.
Preparing your home for your knee replacement recovery
To make your at-home recovery as easy as possible, consider taking the following steps before your surgery:
- Prepare a place to sleep on the first floor of your home.
- Pre-order any medical equipment, such as a walker, shower chair, or crutches.
- Make sure you’re stocked up on ice packs.
- Ask your friends and family for help with pets, chores, and errands.
- Place chairs in every room, so you have support when you need a break from standing.
- Set up a sturdy chair in which you can elevate your leg, such as a recliner.
- Think of the items you use the most — tissues, glasses, laptop, wastebasket — and make sure they’re within reach of your recovery chair.
- Consider installing an adjustable showerhead, shower seat, and non-slip bath mat to make bathing easier.
- Mount grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower for support.
- Ask your healthcare provider about any other preparations you should make before your surgery to make your knee replacement recovery easier.
How long does it take to walk after a total knee replacement?
It will take at least three to six weeks for you to return to your normal activities after your knee replacement procedure. You’ll start walking again in stages. For the first few weeks after your surgery, you’ll use a walker. Then, you may switch to crutches or a cane. You should be able to walk on your own again about four to eight weeks after your total knee replacement surgery.
Your healthcare provider will give you guidelines on resuming different activities after your surgery, but generally, you can expect to be able to:
- Drive again after six to eight weeks.
- Go back to work within four to 16 weeks.
- Resume heavy housework, such as vacuuming and changing bedsheets, after about three months.
- Lift things 10 pounds or heavier after 12 weeks.
- Start having sex again after six to eight weeks.
During your knee replacement recovery, it is important to keep up with any physical therapy exercises recommended by your healthcare provider. They will help you strengthen your leg as your knee heals. You should continue to use ice packs and take any prescribed anti-inflammatories or painkillers to help manage pain and swelling during your recovery.
What can you do to extend the life of your artificial knee joint?
Artificial knees, just like real ones, have their limitations. The stress of repeated use can cause a knee replacement to fail over time. When this happens, it’s either because a component of the artificial knee has worn down or the bond between the implant and the bone has weakened. Either way, a knee replacement failure usually means you’ll need another surgery to fix your knee.
To avoid knee replacement failure, you should prioritize caring for your artificial knee, even after you’ve fully recovered. You can help protect your knee implant by:
- Staying active but avoiding high-impact activities where you could fall or damage your knee, such as skiing, contact sports, and running.
- Avoiding twisting at your knee.
- Wearing supportive shoes when you’re walking outdoors.
- Avoiding kneeling on your new knee until your doctor says it’s okay.
- Staying at a healthy weight (excess weight can put added strain on your artificial joint).
- Checking in with your orthopedic physician regularly to monitor the state of your implant.
Because knee replacements have the potential to wear out over time, your healthcare provider will probably recommend waiting until you have exhausted all other options before considering the procedure. When you’re ready to schedule your procedure, you can start searching for a surgeon using the New Choice Health Patient Assist program. To learn more about finding an affordable, high-quality knee replacement surgeon in your area, visit our Orthopedic Surgery Assistance page.
