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Knee Replacement |
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Knee Replacement
 Preparation
Procedure
Recovery
Recovery After surgery, you will be moved into the recovery room where you will stay for several hours. During this time, you will be monitored until you awaken from anesthesia, at which time you will be taken to your hospital room. Typically, you will stay in the hospital for three to four days, but this depends on each individual and how quickly they progress. After surgery, you may feel some pain that will be managed with medication to make you feel as comfortable as possible. To avoid lung congestion after surgery, you should breath deeply and cough frequently to clear your lungs.
Possible Surgical Complications
The rate of medical complications following knee replacement surgery is extremely low. Serious infections, such as a knee joint infection, occur in less than 2 percent of patients. The most common cause of infection occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream during dental procedures, urinary tract infections or skin infections. After your surgery, you should take antibiotics before having any dental work or surgical procedures performed.
Blood clots in the leg veins are the most common complication of knee replacement surgery. These clots can become life threatening if they move to the brain, lungs or heart. However, your orthopedic surgeon will have a blood clot prevention plan that may include leg exercises and elevation, medication and support stockings. If you do experience any symptoms of blood clots, you should call your surgeon immediately. Symptoms include swelling in your leg(s) that does not go away, pain in your calf or behind your knee, calf warmth or redness.
Physical Therapy
Walking and knee movements are very important for recovery. Usually the first day after surgery, you will begin to work with a physical therapist who will teach you specific exercises to regain full leg and knee movement. During your hospital stay, you will attend physical therapy one to two times per day. An occupational therapist and nurse discharge planner also will help you prepare for your homecoming.
Your doctor may recommend using a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine that is strapped onto your operated leg and then bends and straightens your knee for you. You will probably be given special elastic stockings, called TED hose to be worn on your operated leg that helps to reduce swelling. An anticoagulant medication, such as lovenox, also may be given to help circulation and prevent blood clots.
Post-Hospital Care
Once you have returned home, it is very important to follow your orthopedic surgeon's instructions during the first few weeks after surgery.
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Caring for Your Incision -- You will have stitches or staples running along your wound or suture beneath your skin on the front of your knee. These will be removed two to three weeks after your surgery. Call your surgeon immediately if your incision swells, drains, becomes reddened or painful, or you develop a temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
Before leaving the hospital, your incision will be covered with a dry dressing. You should change the dressing as instructed and avoid getting it wet until your wound has completely healed.
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Physical Activity -- Being physically active is an essential part of recovery. Within three to six weeks, you should be able to resume most normal physical activities of your daily routine. During the first few weeks of recovery, a physical therapist may teach or help you perform specific exercises to strengthen your knee and leg. Other recommended physical activities include graduated walking and normal household activities to increase your mobility. However, it is important that you do not push yourself and avoid falling, which can damage your knee and require further surgery. It is recommended that you use assisting devices, such as a cane, crutches, walker and hand rails, or the help of caregiver until your knee is strong and mobile.
Six weeks after surgery, when you regain full hip movement, you can probably resume driving. At this time, your surgeon also may allow you to return to work, depending on how much physical activity is involved in your occupation. Sexual activity can be resumed at this time as well.
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Follow-Up -- During the first year following your surgery, routine follow-up visits are scheduled with your orthopedic surgeon. Your follow-up appointments will be at three weeks, six weeks, three months, six months and 12 months after your surgery. You will be asked to return for annual visits thereafter to assess the status and function of your implant.
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007
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