Your knee replacement recovery timeline
Recovery from knee replacement surgery, where all or part of the knee joint is replaced with an artificial one, involves several months of rehabilitation and physiotherapy.
Let’s take a closer look at what you should expect during your knee replacement surgery and at the timeline of recovery.
What is knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacement surgery is surgery to replace all, or part, of the knee joint with an artificial one called a prosthesis. It is usually performed to treat wear and tear on the knee joint caused by arthritis.
What should I expect during my recovery from knee replacement surgery?
Like any surgery, recovering from knee replacement surgery is different for everyone. Recovery time depends on several factors such as your age, general health, how active you were before your surgery, and whether there are any complications during your surgery or recovery.
In this article, we’ll look at a general timeline for recovering from knee replacement surgery. This will give you a better idea of what to expect during your recovery.
How can I prepare for my recovery from knee replacement surgery?
Recovery is a gradual process that normally takes between three months and a year. You will need to prepare for your recovery before your surgery.
Rehabilitation and physiotherapy are major factors in recovering from knee replacement surgery, and you will need to take an active role in your rehabilitation after your surgery.
Your physiotherapist will discuss your rehabilitation before your knee replacement surgery. They may show you some of the exercises that you will need to do after your surgery. By showing you these exercises before your operation, you will have a chance to practice them before your surgery.
After your surgery, you will not be able to get around or do as many things as you could for a while, so it’s a good idea to prepare your home in advance.
- If possible, move your living space and sleeping area downstairs as climbing stairs can be difficult after surgery
- Install a raised toilet seat with arms
- Install handrails on the stairs and in the shower or bath
- Get a secure bench or chair to sit on when you take a shower
- Move any items you could trip over in your home, such as rugs, cables, magazine racks, or low tables
- Get a firm chair with a supportive cushion, and a footstool to elevate your leg
- Stock up on food and prepare easy meals that are ready to heat up
- Keep things you use frequently, like books, medication, or the TV remote control within easy reach
- Arrange for someone to help you with activities like cooking, shopping, and housework for the first few weeks after your surgery
Immediately after your surgery
When your operation is over, you will be taken to the recovery room, where you will be monitored carefully until you are ready to go to your room.
If you’ve had a general anaesthetic, it’s common to feel sick or woozy as the anaesthetic wears off. If this happens to you, tell the nurse looking after you and they can get you some medication to help you feel better.
If you had a spinal anaesthetic, you may not be able to feel or move your legs for up to four hours after your surgery.
When you are ready, you will be moved to your hospital room.
After your surgery, you will be positioned sitting upright with a pillow under your knees. This is to keep your back and hips straight and to minimise any pain or stiffness in your spine.
You may be wearing tight stockings called compression stockings to reduce the risk of blood clots developing in your legs. You’ll need to wear these stockings for around four to six weeks and may also need to take tablets or injections every day to help prevent blood clots.
Your knee will be covered by a large dressing, and you will have drains in place to drain any fluid from the wound. These will be removed after a day or two.
Will I be in pain after my surgery?
Knee replacement surgery is a major operation, and it’s normal to experience some pain after your surgery.
Your healthcare team will give you regular pain medication to manage your pain, but tell a member of the nursing staff if you have any pain or discomfort. Pain is normally worse on movement, but you must keep moving your knee as shown by your physiotherapist during the first few days. Keeping your knee moving will greatly help your recovery.
When can I move my knee after my surgery?
Moving your knee as soon as possible after your knee replacement surgery will help your recovery and reduce swelling. On the day of your surgery, your physiotherapist will show you some exercises you can do in bed. If you are able, they may help you to get out of bed and move around your room with a walking frame.
On the day after your knee replacement surgery, you’ll have an X-ray to check the position of your prosthesis (artificial knee) and you’ll continue to practice walking with your frame.
When you are ready, normally after a few days, your physiotherapist will help you to transfer from using a walking frame to crutches and eventually a stick. They’ll give you a programme of exercises to do at home and show you how to take a shower safely after your knee replacement surgery.
How many nights will I stay in hospital?
After knee replacement surgery, the average stay in hospital is three to seven days, but this may vary depending on your general health and individual needs.
Going home
When you are ready to be discharged from the hospital, the nurses will advise you on caring for your surgical wound at home. They will also make follow-up appointments for you to see your consultant and have your stitches removed. This is normally ten to twelve days after your surgery.
You’ll be seen by an occupational therapist who will teach you skills that you can use for day-to-day activities such as washing, getting dressed, and cooking, as well as skills you can use when you return to work.
Make sure you arrange for someone to collect you from the hospital when you are discharged, as you will not be able to drive yourself home from the hospital.
During the first few weeks at home, physiotherapy exercises are vital to build strength in your new knee, improve your flexibility, and increase your range of motion.
Recovering from knee replacement surgery at home
Recovering from knee replacement surgery is a gradual process that doesn’t stop when you leave the hospital. Let’s take a look at what to expect during your recovery at home.
The first 3 weeks after your surgery
The first three weeks after your surgery are normally the most difficult. Following the instructions given by your consultant and physiotherapist during this time will help to make your recovery easier and faster. It will also reduce the risk of post-surgery complications.
Pain, swelling and stiffness
You will probably have some pain, swelling and stiffness in the first 3 weeks after your surgery. You can help manage this by:
- Elevating your leg above the level of your heart to reduce swelling (place the pillow under your calf or ankle, not directly under your knee)
- Applying an ice pack to your knee to reduce swelling
- Taking your pain medication regularly, as directed by your consultant
Physiotherapy
During the first few weeks at home, physiotherapy exercises are vital to build strength in your new knee, improve your flexibility, and increase your range of motion.
Diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is vital during your recovery, though you may feel less hungry than usual. Try eating small, easy to eat meals throughout the day, and make sure you drink plenty of fluids such as water, broth, or juices.
Constipation may also occur in the weeks following knee replacement surgery. This may be due to the painkilling medication, and not moving around as much as usual. Eating a high fibre diet and drinking lots of water can help. Talk to your consultant if you experience constipation after your surgery.
Rest
It’s normal to feel more tired than usual for the first few weeks after your knee replacement surgery. Go at your own pace and make sure you are getting enough rest. Stop when you feel tired.
Hygiene and wound care
Talk to your healthcare team about when you can take a shower after your surgery. You should avoid immersing your surgical site in water for at least the first 3 weeks after your knee replacement surgery.
Keep your wound dressing clean and dry. Your healthcare team will show you how to care for your wound before you leave the hospital.
Your incision site may feel numb for the first few weeks after your surgery. This normally gets better with time.
Three to six weeks after your surgery
After the first three weeks, you should gradually start to feel better and have less pain and greater mobility.
Pain and swelling
You may continue to have some pain and swelling three to six weeks after your surgery, but this should start to improve. Continue with your physiotherapy exercises and apply an ice pack to your knee if it is swollen. Most people do not need to take regular pain medication at this point in their recovery. If you still need to take painkillers, your pain is getting worse, or you have new pain, speak to your consultant.
Resuming activities
If you get the all-clear from your consultant, you may be able to resume certain activities, such as:
- Increased walking with a walking aid
- Driving (you must be off all pain medication before you can drive after your surgery)
- Light activities around the house
- Returning to work (depending on the type of job you do)
- Sexual activity (speak to your consultant on how to do this safely and any positions to avoid)
Ten to twelve weeks after your surgery
By 10 to 12 weeks after your surgery, you should be able to resume most normal activities, and most people no longer need to use a walking aid. Make sure you get the go ahead from your consultant before starting any activities, and follow any advice or precautions they give you.
Three to six months after your surgery
Between three and six months, strength and flexibility in your knee should be improving. Continue with your physiotherapy exercises and activities you enjoy, such as walking, golf, dancing, and cycling.
You should still avoid heavy lifting, high-impact activities at this stage to avoid damaging your knee or the surrounding tissues. Some activities to avoid include:
- Running
- Jumping
- Football
- Basketball
- Aerobics
- Intensive cycling
- Skiing
You may have a follow-up appointment with your consultant six months after your surgery to discuss how your recovery is going.
Six to twelve months after your surgery
At this stage of your recovery, you should be experiencing very little pain. You may still have discomfort when doing certain activities, such as going up and down stairs or sitting in one position for too long.
It’s important to keep active during this stage of recovering while continuing to avoid high-impact exercises that put pressure on your knee.
Long-term recovery from knee replacement surgery
Most knee replacements last for between 10 and 20 years. Keeping physically active and maintaining a healthy weight can help to ensure that your knee replacement lasts as long as possible.
Keep in touch with your healthcare team and contact the hospital if you are worried about your new knee or have symptoms such as:
- New, increased, or severe pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Difficulty moving your knee
- Your knee joint feels unstable
Summary
Having a knee replacement is a major decision that requires active participation from you in the months following surgery. However, long term, the benefits of greater mobility, relief from knee pain, and a return to the activities you once enjoyed normally far outweigh the commitment needed during your recovery.
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How do I book an appointment?
If you're concerned about symptoms you're experiencing or require further information on this subject, talk to a GP or see an expert consultant at your local Circle Hospital.