Planning for Down Time
One of the most important factors for people considering knee replacement surgery on one or both knees is the amount of time that will be required to regain one's normal ability to get around again. This is an especially important consideration for those who live alone. There is no universal rule for the amount of downtime required for the patient. It depends not only on the success of the surgery, but also on the patient's ability and willingness to follow through on the post-surgical rehabilitation. Here are some of the factors that typically affect the time required to regain full function after knee replacements.
The First Few Days
Following knee replacement surgery, the patient will normally spend three to five days in the hospital. The hospital staff will usually have the patient stand up the day after surgery. The surgeon leaves instructions for caring for the knee, including what to eat and how to exercise. Much of the pain that necessitated the knee replacement is typically relieved immediately by the hardware inserted during the actual surgery. With residual knee and leg pain alleviated by medications, the patient will be asked to exercise the ankle and foot from time to time to promote good circulation, limit swelling and avoid blood clots. In addition to a machine that is attached to gently move the knee in a passive manner, a physical therapist will visit the patient to begin an exercise program. Patients may use parallel bars, a walker and/or crutches as recovery progresses. Patients may be sent directly home after a few days or else sent to a rehabilitation facility to continue working until they are able to go home (this is usually after a week or slightly longer).
The Next Several Weeks
After the patient is sent home, he or she is responsible for following a graduated walking program that will eventually include the light use of stairs. A therapist will normally visit on a regular basis at first, after which time outpatient physical therapy continues at a hospital for several weeks. Strength-building exercises given by the therapist also need to be followed faithfully at home each day. The usual amount of time for the first phase of this program (beginning with the day of surgery) is three to six weeks, after which many regular daily activities can be resumed at a light pace. One's ability to drive a car, which may come a week or two later, depends on the bendability of the knee and the patient's progress in regaining strength in the joint. Kneeling and squatting will be discouraged for the first few weeks, as well as twisting or pivoting on the replaced knee.
Total Time of Recovery
Recovery time is greatly influenced by the general physical ability and fitness of the patient, as well as the extent of his or her dedication to the exercise program. Once recovery is complete, some activities may be designated as forever off-limits. These will typically be high-impact sports that involve running, jumping, and landing hard on the knee or knees. However, many low-impact activities such as bicycling, golf, swimming or walking will likely be allowed. For a great many people who have knee replacement surgery, barring complications or other health issues, the main part of recovery is finished after about eight weeks.
