A Comprehensive Guide For Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery

The road to recovery post a total knee replacement surgery begins with the aid of a walker or an orthopedic device, where patients are encouraged to start mobilization the very same day as your knee replacement surgery day.

A typical patient remains in the hospital for a day or two, depending on the severity and the type of knee replacement surgery. However, most people get discharged the same day of their surgery, given their medical team feels it appropriate.

Once you get discharged post-operation, it is followed up with outpatient physical therapy, which begins within a week of surgery. Outpatient physical therapy focuses on teaching the patient:

• Knee strengthening and mobilizing exercises,
• Specific movements to improve range of motion and reduce scar tissue,
• Proper use of assistive walking devices such as walkers and cane.

We help our patients to walk unaided by gradually building their muscle strength and flexibility. If you are looking for local knee replacement surgeons and post-operative care in Ahmedabad, Rathi Hospital is an excellent choice.

We facilitate a smooth transition from your freshly operated state to resuming your daily hustle and bustle.

Timeline for Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery

An average recovery time for a total surgery gaining the ability to resume their daily activities is within 3 to 6 weeks. It could take up to 4 to 6 months or an entire year to completely recover and avail the total benefits of the replacement surgery.

Living With Total Knee Replacement Surgery

An ideal candidate for knee replacement surgery is someone who has hampered functionality in their knee that restricts them from carrying out their daily activities. Total knee replacement enables patients to get back to their lives by improving their function, joint mobility, and bone health.

However, most people are likely to experience an onset of arthritis which hampers their lifestyle. The consensus is that a replacement knee joint may feel different than a natural knee. A replacement knee joint may cause the patient to be more aware of their knees during climbing stairs, kneeling, or rising from the chair. Another common observation is that patients may suffer from knee stiffness, swelling, numbness, or ‘crackling’ post-surgery.

The presence of these symptoms does not indicate that the knee replacement surgery has not been successful. Once you have undergone knee replacement surgery and your overall knee function has improved with pain reduction, you can still experience these common symptoms.

First-Time Knee Replacement Surgery

First-time knee replacements last at least 15-20 years. Patients can extend the life of their replacement knee joints by complying with their physical therapy routines, suggested exercises, and avoiding high-impact activities such as jumping or jogging.

High impact activities generate friction between the artificial joint and the surrounding muscles and bones, 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 surgery might be called for.

The usual culprits causing a replacement surgery are wear-and-tear, component loosening, infection, or instability in the artificial joint. Accidental causes such as bone fractures can also result in knee replacement surgery.

Consulting a specialist in the field is the best way to determine the best time for you to schedule a knee replacement surgery. Rathi hospital in Ahmedabad has a team of knee replacement surgeons that can help you understand the journey of recovery, helping you stay prepared every step of the way.

As a leading orthopedic hospital in Ahmedabad, Rathi hospital regularly performs numerous knee and partial knee replacement surgeries that help restore mobility in your patients. Our compassionate staff alleviates pain and improves mobility triggered by arthritis or aging.

Different Stages Of Knee Replacement Surgery

1. Post-Operative State

The first stage of knee replacement surgery’s road to recovery is right after the surgical process gets completed. While many patients are required to stay in the hospitals for a couple of days following the procedure, it is a preventative measure taken by your doctors to ensure the efficacy of the surgery.

The days following the surgery entail your doctors prescribing pain relief medications that can help ease pain at the surgical site while facilitating knee joint mobilization and movement.

The dosage of medicines and frequency of physical therapy is gradually increased from your leg simply dangling from the bed to walking with the help of orthopedic aids.

2. Discharged At Home

The short stay at the hospital ends with the patient being shifted to their home, where the bulk of the recovery process takes place. Once you slowly return to your routine, you would need to practice balance and stability.

Simple motor functions such as standing, sitting, moving around your room, or using the bathroom play a critical role in your recovery process and help you heal faster.

3. Outpatient Physical Therapy

Outpatient physical therapy is often recommended to boost the rehabilitation of your knee joint. Your therapist curates your physical therapy plan to increase your mobility over time.

Once you get the hang of the exercise plan and your therapist trusts you enough to let you carry out your practice at home, they may assist you for a couple of days before performing these exercises without any professional assistance.

This usually happens once you have gained familiarity with your outpatient therapy, showing the ability to perform more rigorous movements independently.

4. Exercise and Physical Activity

The final phase of your recovery process is to create an amalgamation of a standard exercise regimen into your daily routine and engage in regular physical activity. A typical knee replacement surgery can take 8-12 weeks to recover and reach the final stage of the recovery process.

Even though you may receive the clearance to return to your daily routine earlier, it will take up to a year post-surgery for your knee to completely heal from the replacement surgery. Since your knee will continually heal throughout the following year, it is vital to proceed with caution for many months post your surgery.

If you are looking for a specialist in or around Ahmedabad, Rathi Hospital is the leading orthopedic hospital that guarantees a smooth transition to a pain-free life.

For more information about knee replacement surgeries and recovery, consult our doctors by scheduling an appointment TODAY!

Julia Hendon is a passionate writer covering a wide range of topics including fashion, lifestyle, health, home and Travel.