HOW LONG IS KNEE REPLACEMENT RECOVERY?
It can take up to two years for a full knee replacement recovery, but you should be able to resume normal daily activities within six weeks. Any pain and swelling you’ve been experiencing should settle within three months. Your leg may be swollen for up to a year.
How long will it be before I feel normal?
It can take up to two years for your knee to recover, but you should be able to resume normal daily activities within 6 weeks. Any pain and swelling you’ve been experiencing should settle within 3 months. Your leg may be swollen for up to a year.
Most people are able to drive again after 6 to 8 weeks, but you should check with your surgeon before attempting this.
WHEN CAN I GO BACK TO WORK?
If you have a desk-based job, you should be able to return after six to eight weeks. However, if your job requires any heavy lifting or manual labour, you may need to wait for around 12 weeks before returning to work.
You should be able to get back to most daily activities, including light chores, after six weeks, although you should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for around 3 months following your operation.
WHAT SHOULDN’T I DO AFTER KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
We recommend gradually building up to any activity during your recovery period, though there are some activities we advise you to avoid completely – even after your recovery.
You should certainly avoid high-impact sports such as running, contact sports or weightlifting. Your surgeon will be able to advise you further as to which sports you can participate in. For instance, they may recommend that you avoid tennis, squash and skiing, but that you carry out gentle exercise like cycling, dancing and golf instead.
How soon can I fly after knee replacement surgery?
You should discuss flying timescales with your GP, as your chance of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases after surgery. Airlines also have their own regulations relating to passengers who have recently had surgery, so you should check this beforehand.
WHAT DOES THE KNEE REPLACEMENT RECOVERY PROCESS INVOLVE?
After your knee replacement surgery, you’ll be encouraged to get up and go for a short, assisted walk as quickly as possible. This can be done with the help of our care team and a walker or crutches.
Once you return home, you’ll need someone with you for at least a week to help you with shopping, cooking, cleaning and other daily activities. You will be prescribed pain medication that should help ease any discomfort. It’s important to try to get up and walk as soon as you’re able, either with the help of a walker, cane or crutches.
You will need to take at least six weeks off work after your private knee replacement and you won’t be able to drive for this time. You should avoid any strenuous activity or exercise for six to 12 weeks and try to be as gentle as you can with your new joint. For the first six weeks, you should avoid sitting with your legs crossed, twisting your knee or kneeling on the affected leg.
After six to eight weeks, you should be walking normally and can continue with gentle exercise like swimming. Within a year, you should expect to feel comfortable with your new knee, but you should continue to avoid any extreme sports or any activities that put a lot of strain on your joints.
You should be able to get back to most daily activities, including light chores, six weeks into your knee replacement recovery. However, you should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for around three months following your operation.
You should discuss flying timescales with your GP, as your chance of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases after surgery. Airlines also have their own regulations relating to passengers who have recently had surgery, so you should check this beforehand.
HOW LONG DOES KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY TAKE?
Typically, knee replacement surgery takes between one to three hours to complete, with total knee replacements taking longer than partial operations. Your surgeon will talk to you regarding how much time your procedure may take.
IS KNEE REPLACEMENT PAINFUL?
Your knee replacement surgery will be painless during the procedure as you will be under general anaesthetic. There may be some pain during and after recovery, but you will be advised on how to control this with medication. Long-term sensitivity around the incision is possible too.
ARE THERE ANY IMPORTANT EXERCISES TO PERFORM AFTER A KNEE REPLACEMENT?
There are several exercises you can try during your knee replacement recovery, but the exact ones you try will be discussed with you by your surgeon. That’s because different exercises are better for different procedures and points during your recovery.
WHAT CAN CAUSE THE KNEE TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT?
Knee replacements are typically performed on people suffering from chronic and severe knee pain that prevents normal movement.
The causes of this pain are varied, including arthritis (osteoarthritis specifically), a new injury to the knee bones or cartilage, an old knee injury that has degraded over time, gout, haemophilia, bone growth diseases or a knee deformity.
