What To Expect
In the hospital
After knee replacement surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room. In a few hours, you may go to a hospital room. You may see a metal triangle called a trapeze over your bed. You can use this to help move yourself around in bed. You will be very tired and will want to rest. Your nurse may also help turn you as you rest.
You will be getting fluids into your vein through an I.V. tube. You may also have a tube called a drain near the cut (incision) in your knee.
You may not feel hungry. You may feel sick to your stomach or constipated for a couple of days. This is common. Your nurse may give you stool softeners or laxatives to help with constipation.
You may have stockings that put pressure on your legs to prevent blood clots. Your nurse will also give you medicine and exercise instructions to help prevent clots.
Most people get out of bed with help on the day of surgery. Your doctor will let you know if you will stay in the hospital or if you can go home the day of surgery.
Your recovery
An artificial knee will allow you to do normal daily activities with less or no pain. You may be able to hike, dance, or ride a bike. Talk to your doctor about whether you can do more strenuous activities.
You'll start rehabilitation (rehab) right after your surgery, usually on the same day. Rehab will help you strengthen the muscles of the knee and regain movement in your knee.
Your doctor will let you know if you will stay in the hospital or if you can go home the day of surgery. When you go home, you will be able to move around with crutches or a walker. You may need some extra support or help at home for the next few weeks until your energy level returns and you can get around more easily.
Your knee will be swollen and will hurt when you move it. You will need to take pain medicine for a time after surgery. Most people will start to walk with a walker or crutches the day of surgery. You will also start to do simple leg exercises. You will probably need about 4 to 16 weeks before you can get back to your job. Your knee may be sore for up to 3 months.
The rehab after a knee replacement takes a lot of time and effort. You will have to stretch and do exercises daily to strengthen your knee and regain movement. The goal of rehab is to bend the knee at a 90-degree angle, which is like the letter "L." But most people who complete all of the physical therapy do better than that.
Living with a knee replacement
You need to stay active after you finish rehab to keep your new knee flexible and strong. You should be able to walk, swim, dance, and ride a bike on flat ground. But you may not be able to run, and you should ask your doctor about riding a bike up steep hills.
Your doctor may want to see you from time to time for several months or more to monitor your knee replacement. Over time, you will be able to do most of the things you could do before surgery.
In the future, make sure to let all health professionals know about your artificial knee so they will know how to care for you.
Learn more
- Using Cold and Heat Therapies