What is the average recovery time for knee surgery

Read more information about what happens after an operation. The staff will help you to get up and walk about as quickly as possible.

If you've had keyhole surgery or are on an enhanced recovery programme , you may be able to walk on the same day as your operation. Generally, you'll be helped to stand within 12 to 24 hours after your operation. Walking with a frame or crutches is encouraged. Most people are able to walk independently with sticks after about a week. During your stay in hospital, a physiotherapist will teach you exercises to help strengthen your knee.

You can usually begin these the day after your operation. It's important to follow the physiotherapist's advice to avoid complications or dislocation of your new joint. It's normal to have initial discomfort while walking and exercising, and your legs and feet may be swollen. You may be put on a passive motion machine to restore movement in your knee and leg. This support will slowly move your knee while you are in bed. It helps to decrease swelling by keeping your leg raised and helps improve your circulation.

You'll usually be in hospital for around 2 to 3 days , depending on what progress you make and what type of knee replacement you have. Patients who have a partial knee replacement usually have a shorter hospital stay. Read more information about getting back to normal after an operation. All in all, it can take up to one year to be fully recovered from a knee replacement procedure. Physical therapy, rest, sticking to your medications, and keeping positive will help your knee replacement recovery process progress smoothly.

To help you on the road to recovery, the team at Advanced Surgical Hospital can assist in answering your questions and providing advice during the process. A physical therapist will teach the patient:. Most patients are able to care for themselves and resume normal daily activities within 6 weeks and drive within 3 to 6 weeks. A replacement knee may feel different than a natural knee. One small study 3 found that most people report being aware of their new knees even 12 months after surgery. Their awareness was most notable when climbing stairs, kneeling, or rising from a chair.

These symptoms can exist even though overall knee function is improved and knee pain is decreased. These symptoms do not mean the knee replacement surgery was not successful or that patients regretted having the surgery.

High impact activities cause friction between the man-made components of the replacement knee, causing wear and tear. Revision Knee Replacement Surgery If the initial knee replacement components need to be replaced for any reason, a second surgery called a revision total knee replacement may be needed. Wear-and-tear on components, component loosening, infection, and knee joint instability are the most common possible causes for needing revision surgery. A dressing helps the incision heal and protects it.

Your doctor will tell you how to take care of this. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice: If you have strips of tape on the cut the doctor made, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off. If you have stitches or staples, your doctor will tell you when to come back to have them removed. If you have skin glue on the cut, leave it on until it falls off. Skin glue is also called skin adhesive or liquid stitches. Change the bandage every day.

Wash the area daily with warm water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They can slow healing. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes fluid or rubs against clothing. You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Pat the incision dry. Don't swim or take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay. Your rehab program will give you a number of exercises to do to help you get back your knee's range of motion and strength.

Always do them as your therapist tells you. For pain and swelling, put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. Keep wearing your compression stockings as your doctor says. These help to prevent blood clots. How long you'll have to wear them depends on your activity level and the amount of swelling. Carry a medical alert card that says you have an artificial joint.

You have metal pieces in your knee. These may set off some airport metal detectors. For example, call if: You passed out lost consciousness. You have severe trouble breathing. You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if: You have signs of infection, such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

Red streaks leading from the incision. Pus draining from the incision. A fever. You have signs of a blood clot, such as: Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin. Redness and swelling in your leg or groin. Your incision comes open and begins to bleed, or the bleeding increases.

You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if: You do not have a bowel movement after taking a laxative.