Tips For A Smoother Recovery
Physicians and patients share their insights for safely and efficiently getting back on your feet:
If you have concerns or if youre experiencing something you dont understand, speak up. Your doctor and physical therapist will know if its normal or not. In my case I mentioned a muscle spasm issue to my physical therapist, and she got on the phone with my doctor and I ended up needing a medication change to address it. Patient Sharon Barnes
Walking is the best therapy you can do. Walking in the park or around your neighborhood is really how youll be able to get back to normal life quicker. Dr. Courtney
Ive had both done, 14 and 15 years ago. Best advice: Do your before exercises and build up your strength, then after surgery, do your exercise as soon as youre able and keep doing them to get your best range of movement. Its going to hurt, but its so worth it. Healing pain is different, its pain with an end in sight. My father-in-law told me before I had my first one done, to remember, short-term pain for the long-term gain, and that was my mantra. Patient Kathy M., via Facebook
I had bilateral knee replacements done two years ago. My advice? Build up your leg muscles before surgery. I started three months before so the muscles were in tip-top shape. It made a huge difference in making therapy so much easier. Cheryl W., via Facebook
Avoid Mistakes To Recover Faster
How long does it take to recover from total knee replacement? Will it be relatively easy or frustratingly hard, speedy or last over a year? This is the million dollar question. You can make a big difference in your recovery speed by avoiding the 5 biggest mistakes that most people make. Not doing any of your exercises would be the stupidest mistake but I am going to assume you are MUCH smarter than that after all you are here searching out and seeking the best answers to all your questions.
Here it is for all the wise ones. Listen up and take notes so that you too can avoid the 5 biggest mistakes that will shipwreck your recovery from a total knee replacement.
There Is Little In The Literature To Guide Clinicians In Advising Patients Regarding Their Return To Work Following A Primary Total Knee Replacement
One of the reasons the surgeons may not have prioritized this factor may be found in the literature. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. in their study published in the Journal of Joint and Bone Surgery, wrote:
There is little in the literature to guide clinicians in advising patients regarding their return to work following a primary total knee . aimed to identify which factors are important in estimating a patients time to return to workhow long patients can anticipate being off from work, and the types of jobs to which patients are able to return following primary total knee arthroplasty.
Information for patients to assess from the study scores were:
- The average time to return to work after the surgery was nine weeks.
- Patients who reported a sense of urgency about returning to work were found to return in half the time taken by other employees
- Other preoperative factors associated with a faster return to work included being female, self-employment, higher mental health scores, higher physical function scores, higher functional comorbidity, and a handicap accessible workplace.
- A slower return to work was associated with having less pain preoperatively, having a more physically demanding job, and receiving Workers Compensation
Information for patients to assess from the study scores were:
If you are on this page because you are seeking alternatives to knee replacement, lets continue on with these articles on your options:
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Are There Any Reasons Why I Cant Have A Knee Replacement
Unfortunately, some people may not be able to have a knee replacement even though their arthritis is very bad. This may be because:
- your thigh muscles are very weak and may not be able to support your new knee joint
- there are deep or long-lasting open sores in the skin below your knee, increasing your risk of infection.
Fear Bending And Baby The Knee
I have been in the field working as a therapist for over 20 years and havent yet seen an incision split open with active bending exercises, however I do understand how this fear can overwhelm early on in the recovery. The rule is baby the knee went it comes to walking but dont baby the knee when it comes to bending. That doesnt mean you aggressively bend the knee. You must use frequent low loads and the knee will respond delightfully and give you back your range of motion in steady increments.
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Recovering From Knee Replacement Surgery
For the majority of people knee replacements are very successful. There is a lot of evidence from research showing that patients have less pain and are much more mobile after surgery and this often greatly improves their quality of life. Outcomes are getting better too, as more research is carried out on what the best operation is and how to reduce the risk of complications.
However about 8 people out of 100 are unhappy with their knee replacement 2-17 years later. If they have had to have their knee replaced a second time , they are twice as likely to be unhappy with the outcome.
Driving After A Knee Replacement
You should be able to start driving again after about 68 weeks, as long as you can operate the pedals and control your car in all situations. Any earlier than this and your reaction times may be too slow, particularly for emergency stops. Always check with your insurance company and your doctor first.
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Providing Better After Care For Patients
We’re funding research which aims to provide a standardised approach and assessment for virtual clinic follow-up of total joint replacement patients and subsequent management of patients identified as ‘at risk’ by this approach. This study would enable us to deliver better and more streamlined after care for patients.
What To Avoid After Knee Replacement Surgery
Healing takes time so it helps to take some precautions along the way.
- Stay active prolonged sitting can increase the risk of clotting. Straightening and bending your knee will improve mobility.
- void high impact exercise such as running or contact sport or weight training . These activities can place excessive stress on your new knee joint.
- Avoid activities or terrains with a high risk of falling such as ice or mud, skateboarding or skiing.
- Dont pressure yourself to achieve too much, too soon. If you feel increased pain or swelling, it could be time to slow down.
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Waste Time On The Easy Exercises
Its simple. Human beings seek pleasure and avoid pain. The harder exercises like bending your knee) can be tough but they get massively better each day if you just stay at it. Many people are adept at avoiding the tough exercises by working extra on the easy exercises and guess what they will prolong their recovery time from total knee replacement, an outcome that virtually no one wants.
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What To Expect After Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery Overview Sports Medicine
It might seem like an intimidating experience to schedule a knee replacement surgery. But the truth is that this surgery is highly effective and quite common in the sports medicine industry.
Technology has come a long way in recent years, giving us access to new procedures and medical treatments that provide more remarkable results than ever.
One modern invention is knee replacement surgery: a technique that places a prosthetic in the joint to restore function.
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Continue To Exercise: 7
Low-impact exercises like swimming, weight training, and cycling are ideal until Dr. Woodson gives you the go-ahead for more intense workouts. Again, everyone is different, so listen to your body to know when to rest. You want to make steady progress, but you dont want to injure your knee or create a setback for yourself because you pushed too hard, too soon.
Do Follow Your Doctors Instructions On Caring For The Wound
To avoid post-op infection, be sure you understand how and when to change your bandage. If the skin aroundthe wound becomes red or drains, or if you develop a fever and chills, call your doctor right away. To avoidcomplications of a clot, call your doctor if your leg is tender, swells unduly below or above the knee, orif you develop pain in your leg or calf.
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My Knee Range Of Motion Before Knee Replacement
Before my surgery, my range of motion was not great. My flexion was about 120 degrees and I was minus 7 degrees when trying to straighten out my knee .
My surgeon assured me that both of those numbers would improve after surgery. After surgery, I was hoping to be able to completely straighten out my leg and to improve my flexion to 130 degrees. The doctor told me that this was a reasonable expectation.
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How Long Does Pain And Stiffness Last After Knee Replacement
After 6 weeks, the pain and stiffness should go away, and strengthening exercises for isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings will be beneficial. The majority of TKA patients should have achieved more than 90% of their ultimate knee motion and pain control by 3 months.
The Benefits Of Bending Your Knee
1 to 10 days Fully straight knee The second is a sequel to the first. After 7 to 10 days, your knees should be bent to 90 degrees.
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Can I Go Back To Work After Knee Replacement
Depending on your desk job, you may be able to return to work four to six weeks after surgery. You may be advised to expect a longer recovery time if you want to return to a physically demanding position.
Depending on the seriousness of the injury, the bilateral total knee replacement may be performed one day or six weeks apart. Low iron levels are one of the most common side effects of bilateral knee replacement surgery, and they can be caused by rapid blood loss that causes fatigue in less than 24 hours. When there is sufficient time between the second knee replacement and the surgery, it is more likely to return to work in six weeks. According to a 2011 study, preoperative factors may predict a return to work much sooner after total knee replacement. Patients who reported a sense of urgency to return to work were found to return in half the time taken by employees (acceleration factor = 0.468 p
How Long Does The Pain Last After A Knee Replacement
Over 90% of patients who have knee replacement surgery experience a significant improvement in their pain and mobility. But remember that this is a major surgery, which means that it takes time to recover after going under the knife.
It often takes three months to return to normal activities and six months to 1 year before your knee is strong and resilient.
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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.
Knee Replacement Recovery Timeline
Healing and recovering from knee replacement surgery is a gradual process. During the first 6 weeks, rapid healing takes place. A full recovery can take 6 months to 1 year or longer.
After surgery, efforts are devoted to controlling post-surgical pain, establishing good range of motion, and increasing muscle strength. Once fully recovered, a person typically has less knee pain and better knee function.
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Weeks After Surgery And Beyond
Now that youre stronger and more confident moving with your new knee, the frequency of in-person physical therapy sessions may start to decrease around 12 weeks after surgery. But youll need to continue your physical therapy exercises at home.
At TRIA, our physical therapists will create personalized home routines to help you reach your goals to return to regular activities and hobbies. These routines will be an important part of your continued recovery after a knee replacement. Full recovery from a knee replacement, on average, can take up to one year.
Whats The Best Time Of Year To Have A Knee Replacement
The answer to this question takes into account various different perspectives. For example, with regards to the weather, the best time for knee replacement surgery is either Spring or Autumn. This is because in the Summer, youre more likely to have the heat to contend with, which could make keeping cool an issue. Likewise, surgery in the Winter means any recovery exercises outdoors could be undertaken in snowy or icy conditions.
Other factors to consider are:
- when youre likely to get the time off work
- whether your friends and family can also have time off to support your recovery
- when your orthopaedic surgeon can accommodate you.
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Time Off Work After Knee Arthroscopy
The time youll need to take off work will depend on the type of job you have. For instance, if you work in an office, its likely youll be able to return after a week or two. However, if your work requires a commute, youll still need to factor this in. Air travel should be avoided for around a week after surgery. Dont hesitate to ask your doctor or surgeon for more information about returning to work.
How Long Should You Do Exercises After Knee Replacement
Most orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists recommend exercising for at least 20 to 30 minutes daily, whether its walking or stretching. As you progress through your recovery timeline and your knee gains strength, you can try walking or stretching for 20 to 30 minutes at a time multiple times a day.
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Getting Back To Normal
Your body and your knee joint will continue to gain strength for several months after your surgery. There shouldnt be any pain after the first four months. If you continue to feel pain, be sure to talk to your surgeon.
If youve participated in activities that are hard on your knees in the past, talk to your doctor about how to return to jogging, skiing, and other activities while protecting your new knee implant. There may be some activities that arent advisable.
Most patients fully recover within six months to a year of total knee replacement surgery. While this may seem like a long time, the knee replacement itself can last as long as 15-20 years, giving you many years of comfort and mobility.
How Long Are You Laid Up After Knee Replacement
The average person is laid up for about four to six weeks after having knee replacement surgery. This includes time spent in the hospital and then at home recovering. During this time, it is important to keep the knee elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling. Physical therapy will also be started during this time to help regain range of motion and strength.
It is widely assumed that, following knee replacement, you will be back to normal in a matter of weeks. It is typical for a total knee replacement patient to take one year to fully recover. The average cost of a partial knee replacement is typically significantly less than the total cost of the procedure. It is common for a patient to experience a toothache of the knee after receiving a total knee replacement for the first three months. A foreign body enters your body, causing the immune system to attack the metal and plastic of an implant. After that, the body gradually adapts to the implant, lasting 6-12 months.
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Are There Any Risks
As with any surgical procedure, there is always a minimal risk of infection, blood clots, or nerve damage. There is also the risk of requiring additional surgery in the future if your osteoarthritis spreads to other parts of the knee. In this case, total knee replacement may be needed.
Dr. Guttentag will go over the risks with you in detail and answer any questions you may have during your preoperative medical assessment.
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.
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