Your Knee Replacement Surgery

You will most likely arrive at the hospital on the morning of surgery. In many cases, pre-op tests are done days or even weeks ahead of time. Follow all of your surgeon's instructions on preparing for surgery. When you arrive, you'll be given forms to fill out. You may also talk with the anesthesiologist (the doctor who gives the anesthesia), if you haven't done so already. It's normal to feel a little nervous. But rest assured : This is a common surgery that tends to have very good results.

Preparing for Surgery

You will be told when to stop eating and drinking before surgery. If you take a daily medication, ask if you should still take it the morning of surgery. At the hospital, your temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure will be checked. An IV (intravenous) line will be started to provide fluids and medications needed during surgery.

The Surgical Procedure

When the surgical team is ready, you'll be taken to the operating room. There you'll be given anesthesia. The anesthesia will make you numb from the waist down. Then an incision is made on the front of your knee. Any damaged bone is cleaned away, and the new joint is put into place. The incision is closed with staples.

[ Click to view the Surgical Procedure ]

Your Hospital Stay

You'll be moved to your room when you are awake. By then your family or a friend will be able to join you. You can expect to feel some pain. Soon after surgery, specially trained therapists will start working with you. For the quickest, safest recovery, practice what they teach you.

Special Therapies

During your hospital stay, you'll learn skills that will help you return to normal life. You will be shown how to strengthen your leg, walk, and clear your lungs. To make moving easier, ask for pain medication before your physical therapy (PT) sessions.

Gaining Strength

Your PT program is likely to start with gentle exercises. You may be shown ways to increase blood flow and control swelling. Working the quadriceps muscles (in the front of your thigh) builds leg strength. This helps protect your new joint by keeping the knee more stable. Exercises also help you bear weight without pain a goal you can work toward.

Walking Again

You may begin to stand and walk within hours after surgery. A physical therapist will help you. You will be taught how much weight. if any, to bear on your new joint. With practice, you'll soon be able to walk with just the aid of a walker.

Clearing Your Lungs

Fluids can collect in the lungs after surgery. To avoid pneumonia, breathe deeply and cough. You should do this often, a few times an hour, at least.

During Your Recovery

Whether you're recovering at home or in a rehabilitation facility, you need to protect your new knee. Practice your exercise. Those shown here help build strength and increase range of motion. For the best recovery, avoid risky moves and seek your surgeon for scheduled follow-up visits. Return to activity slowly, and don't be surprised if your new joint feels a little stiff at first.

Build Muscle Strength

Strong thigh muscles reduce the amount of force placed on your knee. This helps the joint last longer.

Quad Set

• Sit against the head of a bed. Place the leg with the new joint straight out in front of you.
• Tighten the front leg muscles, which pull the kneecap toward your thigh. Then press the back of your leg toward the ground.
• Hold for a count of 5. Repeat as directed.

Improve Joint Motion

Range-of-motion exercises help your new knee bend more smoothly. Practice flexing and extending your knee as you were taught.

Sitting Knee Bends

• Sit in a chair with a towel under the new knee joint.
• Straighten your leg as much as you can. Hold for a count of 5.
• Then bend your leg back as far as you can. Hold for a count of 5.
• Repeat as directed.

See Your Surgeon

Post-op visits allow the surgeon to make sure your knee is healing well. Sutures or staples are often taken out 2 weeks after surgery.

When to Call Your Surgeon

• Call your surgeon if you have any of the symptoms below :
• An increase in knee pain
• Excessive pain or swelling in a calf or leg
• Unusual redness, heat, or drainage at the incision site.
• Trouble breathing or chest pain
• Fever over 101°F

Avoiding Risky Moves

• Some movements put too much strain on the new joint. This could causes the prosthesis to wear out more quickly. Protect your new joint
  
  
• Do not twist knee, as can happen when you turn your body without moving your feet.
  
  
• Do not perform high-impact activities, such as running, jumping, race walking, or playing basketball.

Returning to Activity

To build strength, practice walking every day. Try to do more each week. But be aware that some days your feet will feel better than others. You may be ready to drive or return to a desk job about a month after surgery. If you do more active work, you may need to wait 3 or 4 months before going back. Total knee replacement is a major surgery, so don't be surprised if it takes a few months before you feel really good.