Walkers and/or crutches are used the first 3-4 weeks after total knee replacement surgery. You then will be progressed to a cane which again will be for 3-4 weeks. After that time, most patients do not need any support for walking.
Four to six weeks after surgery: Within four to six weeks of your surgery, you will likely be able to walk 10 minutes or more at a time without a walker, cane, crutches or other assistive device.
A total knee replacement patient is typically looking at a one year recovery period for things to fully settle down. I should stress that doesn't mean you'll be living with constant pain for a year. But the occasional twinge or moment of discomfort could well last 12 months. Occasionally it could be two years.
By the time you are reviewed by your surgeon, at around 6 weeks following surgery, you will probably still be walking with 1 stick outdoors. By 3 months the replaced knee should be quiet and reasonably supple and you should be comfortably walking long distances.
Don't Overdo It
Although exercise is the key to healing, you could be backpedaling progress by overworking your knee. Signs of over-exercising include swelling of the entire leg and lingering pain that stretches into the evening or into the next day.
Performing movements or exercises that are too intense can increase the chances of loosening or fracturing the bones around the implant. Pushing too much can also lead to increased pain and swelling around the knee, slowing down the rehabilitation process and making it more difficult to exercise.
The first week after a total knee replacement can be the toughest time period of the entire recovery process.
Walking. Proper walking is the best way to help your knee recover. At first, you will walk with a walker or crutches. Your surgeon or therapist will tell you how much weight to put on your leg.
Usually, about three weeks after the surgery, you'll be able to walk without crutches for about 10 minutes. Your physical therapist will push you to add more to your regimen. Generally, it takes about a year for everything to settle, the knee to regain its strength, and all normal activities to become possible again.
After 7–10 days, you should be able to fully extend your knee out straight. Your knee may be strong enough that you're not carrying weight on your walker anymore. Most people progress to using a cane or nothing at all by 2–3 weeks.
Immediately after surgery you will learn to climb stairs safely using crutches. As recovery continues and you work on flexion and extension of the new knee, you will be able to climb without crutches. With the help of physical therapy and building up the quadriceps muscles, stair climbing will be a breeze.
Surgeons have begun placing a mixture of pain medicines inside the soft tissue around the knee before sealing the new joint into place. "The first 2 days are the worst, but the level of pain is so much better than it was even 5 years ago," Lajam says.
You shouldn't downhill ski or play contact sports such as football and soccer. In general, avoid sports that require jerking, twisting, pulling, or running. You should be able to do lower-impact activities, such as hiking, gardening, swimming, playing tennis, and golfing.
The best way to sleep after knee surgery is on your back. This position makes it easy to keep your leg straight while sleeping, allowing proper blood flow to the surgery site. You can also prop your leg up using pillows while sleeping on your back.
As a surgeon, I recommend you exercise your knee joint at least two or three times daily after surgery. Remember, walking with purpose is a simple way to begin your exercise routine. After surgery, you should walk with purpose several times a day.
Results showed that patients undergoing knee replacement surgery should expect increased sleep disturbances in the short-run after the surgery (6 weeks), which will gradually decrease after three to 6 months.
Knee Stiffness
One of the most common problems people experience after knee replacement is a stiff knee joint. 1 This can cause difficulty with activities that require a lot of bending, including going down stairs, sitting in a chair, or getting out of a car.
Implants are made of an incredibly strong titanium or cobalt-chromium metal alloy along with a high-performance polyethylene. So they aren't easy to break. That said, 1 out of every 5 falls results in a serious injury.
Keep the Knee Straight
While it may not be incredibly comfortable, it's important that you keep your knee joint completely straight immediately after your surgery. You should minimize the amount of time you're on your feet, and be sure to use crutches or a wheelchair if you must move about.
Many patients ask this question when considering TKR and the consensus is that the spring and early fall are the best seasons. You'll want to wear as little clothing as possible during your recovery because it makes cleaning the wound and moving around easier.
Around the 6 week mark, once your physician gives you the greenlight, you may be able to return to sleeping in your preferred position (such as on your stomach or surgical side).
End of week 1: the goal is to reach at least 90° of knee flexion and be working towards full knee extension. Weeks 2-3: the goal is to achieve at least 100° knee flexion and full knee extension. Weeks 4-6: you should be approaching or have already achieved 110-120° of full knee flexion.
In a word, “yes.” The individual judgment of professional care planners should determine the settings for rehab, but research shows that seniors who live alone can return home safely after total knee replacements. In the United States, the rate of total knee replacements has increased 1100% (elevenfold) since 1980.
Pain is to be expected after the initial knee replacement, but it should not be severe. The first few days after surgery should include the highest level of pain, but your doctor will send you home with pain medication adequate for your pain level.