The team at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine recognizes there are many questions with knee replacement surgery. Here are answers to some common questions:
Maybe longer than 20 years. Annual failure rate is around 0.5-1%. You have a 90-95% chance that your joint will last over 10 years.
The size of the incision will vary on several factors that include size of the patient, complexity of the surgery, and surgeon preference. Studies have shown that smaller incisions offer no improvement in pain or recovery.
You may possibly go home the same day as surgery, but other patients stay overnight. If you stay, you will likely only stay 1 night and go home the next day.
Most people are walking with the assistance of a walker on the day of or day after surgery. You may need a walker/cane for up to 6 weeks after your surgery for balance. This is variable among patients.
You should not shower for 2 days after surgery and no soaking or immersing your knee in water for 6 weeks. You must keep your dressing dry and in place as instructed.
Everyone heals from surgery at a different pace. It is difficult to compare yourself with others, as individual situations lead patients to recover differently. It can take up to 3-6 months for you to return to most activities, and likely 1-2 years to fully recover to maximal strength and endurance. This depends on your condition before surgery, additional medical problems, and your expectations.
Most people go home after their operation. Factors included in the decision include the availability of friends or family to assist you at a home, a safe home environment, and your functional status. Studies find going home results in improved outcomes.
Most people require physical therapy. Typically, you start with home health PT and transition to outpatient PT after 2-3 weeks. A therapist can accelerate rehabilitation.
Concern with travel is the risk of a blood clot. Short trips (less than 4 hours) may be ok as soon as you feel comfortable. It is recommended that you get up to stretch or walk at least once an hour and do ankle pumps periodically when seated.
Studies do not find CPM devices necessary for recovery after knee replacement. However, some patients prefer to use them. If you have a CPM, use it for 2-3 weeks. Remember, this is not a substitute for exercise.
It depends on your profession and general health. If you have a desk job, you can expect to return to work within 6 weeks. If you have a job that requires lifting, walking, or travel, you may need 3 months off of work.
You may return to most activities as tolerated including: walking, gardening, golfing, and hiking. Some of the best activities to help with motion and strengthening are swimming and a stationary bike. You may also use elliptical and Nordic Track gliding machines. High impact activities (running and jumping) should be avoided.
You may have some difficulty kneeling on the operative knee, but this will not harm or damage your knee replacement if you do wish to do it. Use a knee pad for comfort.
You may always have the general perception that the knee is artificial and doesn’t feel like a normal knee.
Probably. But, you do not need to carry specific documentation. Metal detector screenings follow universal protocols that allow for people with joint replacements to proceed after confirmation that no threat exists.
Several options exist to thin your blood. Usually you are on this for 30 days after surgery.
Avoid a pillow or roll under the knee. A roll under the ankle can help improve straightening of the knee.
Initially ice is the most helpful to keep down swelling.
They can help with swelling. Generally, you wear them for 2-4 weeks if prescribed.
Yes. A good rule of thumb to remember when deciding which leg to lead with is “up with the good and down with the bad”. As you gain strength, you will be able to perform stairs more normally.
It is not uncommon to have feelings of depression. This may be due to a variety of factors such as limited mobility, discomfort, dependency on others, and medication side effects. Feelings of depression should fade as you begin to return to regular activities. If not, consult your primary care physician.
Insomnia is very common after knee replacement. Over-the-counter remedies such as Benadryl, melatonin, or Tylenol PM may be effective. This usually improves within 6-12 weeks. Stay awake and active during the day. Avoid daytime naps. If sleep does not improve after 6 weeks, contact your primary care physician.
It is very common to have constipation after surgery. This is due to a number of reasons and aggravated by narcotic pain medication. A simple over-the-counter stool softener and drinking lots of water is the best prevention.
Yes. This is normal as the metal is contacting the plastic. This is not harmful. It is a mechanical knee.
This is normal and expected. The sensory nerves are interrupted with the incision resulting in an area of numbness especially on the outside of the knee. This can improve over the course of 1 year but may always feel different.
If you are taking Warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner, you should avoid alcohol because it modifies the effect of this medication. You should also avoid alcohol if you are taking narcotics. Use your discretion.
