3 Weeks After Knee Replacement

Recovery Up To Six Weeks

Initially, it is very common for patients to have trouble getting a restful night sleep. This is due to the knee being unconfutable and swollen. Some surgeons will want their patients to wear a brace to bed for several weeks to help reduce the chance of developing a flexion contractureflexion contracture of the knee. A good nightâs sleep will return over time. Check with your physician if medication is recommended as a sleep aide. Some patients can consider over the counter Benadrylî to assist with sleep.

Traveling during the first 3 weeks after surgery should be limited to certain activities such as going to an out-patient physical therapyout-patient physical therapy program. Some patients may opt for home based physical therapyhome based physical therapy in the early recovery period to reduce the need for traveling. Patients may still have difficulty getting in and out of the passenger side of a car at this stage. Driving should be avoided during this time.

By the time you reach the third week, the most significant pain will fade. Deep aching becomes more prominent rather than sharp pain. Most patients will start to feel comfortable returning to drivingreturning to driving approximately 4 to 8 weeks after surgery. We recommend to avoid longer trips for up to 6 weeks following surgery.

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Conservative Approach To Treatment

Medlin saw Weiss three times before she decided to have surgery. For months, she tried nonsurgical treatments, including anti-inflammatory medications and joint injections. But none of these methods helped ease her pain.

Dr. Weiss was very understanding about my concerns regarding surgery, she said. At the time of my diagnosis, my mother had just been released from the hospital and needed my care. Plus, I was scared to death of having surgery. I didnt want to do it.

Weiss starts treating most patients with conservative treatments, with the goal of managing symptoms without surgery. However, it got to the point with Peggy that we needed a more definitive treatment, he explained. We made sure she understood all her options and was able to make her own decision about surgery.

He finds that many patients do better when they go through and understand the nonsurgical possibilities first. Mental readiness is just as important as physical readiness when it comes to surgery.

Pain After Knee Replacement: Six Months

If you are still experiencing pain six months after surgery, you may be wondering how long it will be until you feel normal again. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer.

In some cases, it may take up to a year for all of your swelling to completely go away. Your knee will continue to recover for years to come, as scar tissue forms and your muscles become stronger with continued physical therapy and light exercise.

As previously mentioned, if you are still experiencing debilitating levels of pain at this stage, you could be suffering from chronic pain. While you may be tempted to tough it out, its important to talk with your doctor. Together, you can find what is causing your persistent pain and come up with a plan to fix it.

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Precautions When Using A Cpm Machine

Some doctors still recommend the use of CPM machines, though many recent studies have questioned their effectiveness. The American Physical Therapy Association recommends avoiding CPM after knee surgery unless formal physical therapy is not possible.

APTA says that the limited benefit is offset by the additional cost and risks caused by long-term bedrest.

A 2017 study found that people with obesity had less favorable outcomes when using a CPM than people without obesity.

If you feel pain, tenderness, or are otherwise concerned, stop using your CPM machine and contact your healthcare provider.

Are There Any Permanent Restrictions After A Knee Replacement

Although it is possible to participate in high-impact sports after a knee replacement, surgeons usually strongly discourage doing so even after the knee is fully healed.

Furthermore, patients with knee restrictions often have permanent work restrictions medical instruction against performing certain activities at work after having knee replacement surgery. Employers are legally obligated to honor those restrictions, which often occur even after patients have resumed normal activity levels.

That said, knee replacement surgery involves very few long-term limitations for patients. Besides high-impact sports, long-distance running and some work-specific activities, you should be able to resume your life with the freedom to participate in a broad range of activities after knee replacement surgery. The main reason for activity restrictions is to ensure a long knee replacement life span.

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Knee Replacement Recovery Phase : Weeks 13 And Beyond

After 13 weeks since your surgery, most patients are happy to see the finish line. Some patients may still be attending physical therapy to reach the goals you set entirely, while others are safe for discharge. Both scenarios are expected, and it varies from person to person.

Providing you have not experienced any major setbacks or complications, pain should be almost nonexistent. It is a good idea to still check in with your healthcare team. If you have pain, swelling, stiffness, or unusual movement, it is always best to call your doctor immediately.

At Balanced Physical Therapy, we understand how important fully recovering from knee surgery is to our patients. From your first evaluation, we take the time to understand everything about you and your condition. Our treatments consist of one-on-one therapy with board-certified physical therapists who are always willing to help. Call us at 741-5806 or visit our Appointments page to schedule an evaluation.

How Can I Prepare My Home For Recovery

If you live in a multiple-story house, prepare a bed and space on the ground floor so that you can avoid the stairs when you first return.

Make sure the house is free of obstructions and hazards, including power cords, area rugs, clutter, and furniture. Focus on pathways, hallways, and other places you are likely to walk through.

Make sure that:

Some surgeons recommend using a CPM machine in the hospital as well as at home while lying in bed.

A CPM machine helps increase knee motion during the first few weeks after surgery.

It can:

• slow the development of scar tissue
• help you maximize your early range of motion following your operation

If you are sent home with a CPM machine you should use it exactly as prescribed.

Your doctor will prescribe any mobility equipment that you will need, such as a walker, crutches, or a cane.

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Cpm Machine For After Knee Surgery Including Total Knee Replacement

Although CPM machines are sometimes used after knee reconstructive surgery, a number of studies have found they have limited or no benefit.

A found that CPM used after surgery to repair intra-articular knee fractures offered no benefit.

Some studies have found more positive results, but the use of CPMs remains controversial.

A 2019 study examined the effect of CPM on a group of 163 patients under the age of 20 who underwent ACL reconstructive surgery. The researchers found that those patients who received CPM treatment were less likely to need a second surgery to break up scar tissue within 6 months of surgery.

A 2018 review of studies found that implementing CPM early in treatment with a rapid progression in range of motion was associated with better recovery than a longer duration of CPM use.

Knee Replacement Recovery Phase : Weeks 1

The first week after undergoing knee arthroplasty, patients can expect to be back in the comfort of their own homes. One of the first and most important things to know during this period is your follow-up appointment with your surgeon. Typically the follow-up is scheduled about two weeks after the knee replacement and is something every patient should markdown as must-attend.

Phase 2 of knee replacement rehabilitation also includes patients becoming more active with therapy. Some patients start treatment at home, while others can attend an outpatient clinic. One is not necessarily better than the other it just depends on a persons health status.

Some goals and priorities to be aware of include:

• Reduce pain and stiffness
• Being able to transfer from lying to sitting to standing safely with the help of assistive devices
• Being able to heel strike while ambulating
• Increase knee range of motion
• Ability to extend leg without lag
• Being consistent with the home exercise program provided
• Understanding the pain scale and the difference between hurt and harm.

Your physical therapist will design a rehab program to help you reach these goals without harming the new knee hardware or incision. Examples of exercises to expect for the weeks 1-3 after your surgery include:

• Stationary bike with little to no resistance
• Hamstring Curls

Note: These therapeutic modalities can and often are used throughout all phases of knee rehabilitation.

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Cpm Machine For Your Shoulder

Your healthcare provider may recommend CPM after shoulder surgery in some cases.

A 2016 study compared the benefits of CPM and physiotherapy for people with diabetes undergoing surgery for adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder. The researchers found that both CPM and traditional physiotherapy led to improved recovery at 12 weeks. However, patients that used CPM had more distinct improvement in pain levels and function.

What To Expect When Recovering From Knee Replacement Surgery

Whether youre an athlete, someone who enjoys an active leisure lifestyle, or you simply want to walk your dog every day without pain, knee replacement surgery can help you get your life back. When the time is right for you to replace an injured or diseased knee for a new, functional one, Dr. Jeremy Woodson, an expert orthopedic sports medicine surgeon in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and his highly qualified team are here to guide you through the entire process.

Heres what to expect during your recovery from knee replacement surgery.

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What Is Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a health care service that helps you restore body movement and your physical functionality through non-invasive methods.

For example, a physical therapist may help someone learn to walk again following a stroke or injury. For those who have had a knee replacement, a physical therapist is an important part of the healthcare team. By working closely with your physical therapist, you can regain the range of motion in your leg, helping you return to the activities you once enjoyed.

Exercises To Increase Your Rom

If you worked at a PreHab program before joint replacement surgery, youll already be leaps and bounds ahead for achieving optimal range of motion. If youre reading this before your joint replacement surgery, great! In the weeks leading up to surgery, we strongly encourage you to start a daily PreHab program of exercises and everyday movements that will help build strength and movement in your joint.

If youre newly into recovery, you will likely be setup with a physical therapist or occupational therapist. Taking advantage of as many sessions as possible is key. However, strictly relying on in-class sessions to optimize your ROM isnt enough. Its absolutely, positively imperative that you supplement classes with an at-home guided ReHab program.

A great at-home program will include early exercises that will help get you mobile after surgery, functional exercises that will help bring back regular movements, advanced exercises that aim to build strength and push you further, and later stage maintenance exercises after the 12+ week mark where you engage in low-impact exercises to keep fit and keep moving.

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Three To Six Weeks After Your Knee Replacement

As you gain strength, youll rely lessor not at allon assistive devices such as canes.

Often, at this point, more low-impact activities may be introduced into your exercise regimen. In addition to walking, this includes swimming or riding a stationary bike.

Many of the exercises above will continue. Knee bends will concentrate on the goal of bending your knee to 120 degrees.

At this point, many are able to complete basic household chores and slowly get back to daily activities. If you have an office job or a job that doesnt require heavy lifting or climbing, you may be able to return to work.

Months To 1 Year After Surgery

• Most of your pain should be gone 1 year after surgery. However, you may still have some swelling in your lower leg and foot, and discomfort going up and down stairs or sitting in one position for too long. It is important to be physically active and maintain a healthy weight for the best recovery.
• You may resume playing low-intensity activities such as volleyball or softball. Do not do high-intensity activities such as soccer, tennis or basketball.

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How Much Pain Will I Have After Surgery

There will definitely be some pain after your operation but your surgery team will do everything possible to keep it manageable and minimal.

You may receive a nerve block prior to your operation and your surgeon may also use a long-acting local anesthetic during the procedure to help with pain relief after the procedure.

Your doctor will prescribe medication to help you manage the pain. You may receive this intravenously immediately after surgery.

When you leave the hospital, the doctor will give you pain relief medication as pills or tablets.

After you recover from surgery, your knee should be significantly less painful than it was before. However, there is no way to predict the exact results and some people continue to have knee pain for many months after their operation.

Following your doctors instructions after surgery is the best way to manage pain, comply with physical therapy and achieve the best result possible.

If you have had a general anesthetic, you may wake up feeling a bit confused and drowsy.

You will probably wake up with your knee raised to help with swelling.

Your knee may also be cradled in a continuous passive motion machine that gently extends and flexes your leg while you are lying down.

There will be a bandage over your knee, and you may have a drain to remove fluid from the joint.

If a urinary catheter was placed, a healthcare professional will usually remove it later on the day of your operation or the next day.

Four To Six Weeks After Surgery

After about a month, your knee strength will improve. Plus, youll feel more comfortable as your knee pain and swelling decreases.

Depending on the type of knee replacement you had and how your recovery has been going, you may rely less or not at all on certain assistive devices.

During this phase of physical therapy, your physical therapist might introduce more low-impact activities like swimming, cycling or longer walks. The goal will be to improve your endurance so youre able to get back to typical daily activities.

At this phase, you will also work toward bending your knee to 120 degrees, begin climbing stairs and be able to return to light household activities and chores.

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Here Are Some Of The Reasons You Might Need Knee Surgery:

• Stiffness in the joint and pain makes it difficult to walk, stand up, or climb stairs
• You often have swelling in the knee area
• Chronic pain bothers you when resting
• The pain is disrupting your sleep
• The knee has defects or is bowed
• Medication and physical therapy havent been effective in managing the pain

If you can relate to any of these symptoms, then its time to talk to a sports medicine doctor about your treatment options.

Types Of Arthritis That Affect The Knee

Inflammatory arthritis

This broad category includes a wide variety of diagnoses including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and many others. It is important that patients with these conditions be followed by a qualified rheumatologist as there are a number of exciting new treatments that may decrease the symptoms and perhaps even slow the progression of knee joint damage.

Patients with inflammatory arthritis of the knee usually have joint damage in all three compartments and therefore are not good candidates for partial knee replacement. However, inflammatory arthritis patients who decide to have total knee replacement have an extremely high likelihood of success. These patients often experience total, or near-total, pain relief following a well-performed joint replacement.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is also called OA or degenerative joint disease. OA patients represent the large majority of arthritis sufferers. OA may affect multiple joints or it may be localized to the involved knee. Activity limitations due to pain are the hallmarks of this disease.

OA patients who have symptoms limited to one compartment of the knee sometimes are good candidates for minimally-invasive partial knee replacement .

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Walk As Soon As Possible

Recovery from joint replacement surgery isnt always easy, but getting back on your feet as soon as the doctor says its okay can help you recover. Walking helps prevent complications like blood clots, improves circulation, and keeps your joints limber. You dont have to wait until you return home after surgery. Most patients can start walking while still in the hospital. Walking helps deliver important nutrients to your knee to help you heal and recover. You can expect to use a walker for the first couple of weeks. Most patients can walk on their own roughly four to eight weeks after knee replacement.