Can you sleep on your side after knee replacement surgery? You can, but it's wise not to do so until at least a few weeks after surgery, when you can start bending your knee. Make sure you lay on your non-operative side. Sleeping this way makes sure no pressure falls on the knee you had surgery on.
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).
What's the best sleeping position after a knee replacement? To begin with, probably on your back. There's usually no reason to avoid lying on the side or stomach after a knee replacement, but most people find it's more comfortable to be on their back at first. The key thing is to keep your leg straight.
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.
It's common to have trouble sleeping because of pain. One of the most common complaints after total joint replacement is difficulty sleeping. The most common cause of sleep disruption is pain. It has been reported that more than half of patients wake up with pain after joint replacement.
Most patients can start walking while still in the hospital. Walking helps deliver important nutrients to your knee to help you heal and recover. You can expect to use a walker for the first couple of weeks. Most patients can walk on their own roughly four to eight weeks after knee replacement.
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.
Most patients are able to walk out of the surgery center with the assistance of a device such as crutches or a walker. It makes sense that you want to get back on your feet as soon as you can, but you also need to be careful not to overdo it. Too much strain and you'll have more pain than necessary.
Within 7 to 10 days after your knee replacement, you should be able to get your knee entirely straight/full extension (Fig. 1) (no space between the back of your knee and the table) and you should be able to bend/flex your knee to at least 90 degrees (Fig. 2). 90 degrees is the same thing as a right angle.
Regardless of the amount, loss of blood can result in fatigue after the procedure, as well as a generalized sense of weakness. It can take several weeks for the body to rebuild the blood supply back to normal after surgery.
Expect to do some form of physical therapy (in-person or app-based) two to three times per week for up to six weeks, then follow a prescribed exercise plan for the remaining months of recovery. The goal is to fully extend and bend the leg to at least 110 degrees within the first three months.
In fact, one of the first recommended activities following your knee replacement is on a stationary bike. This is because cycling puts minimal stress and strain on the knee. To start with, your doctor or physio will likely recommend turning the pedals until you can complete a full revolution.
Walking is important. It helps to prevent blood clots, it will help reduce swelling, and it is good for the lungs after surgery. Walking is just not sufficient to obtain an excellent result following knee replacement.
Taking steps for the prevention and treatment of blood clots after hip and knee replacement surgery is an important part of your recovery. Joint replacement patients are at highest risk for developing a DVT two to 10 days after surgery, and remain at risk for approximately three months.
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.
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.
To minimize the swelling in your leg, you need to elevate your operative leg above the level of your heart. This should be done at least three times per day for 30 minutes each time. Place your leg on the top of several pillows while you lie on your back.
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.
You will be using a walker for the first 2-3 weeks to get around. You can transition to a cane or no supportive devices per physician orders. A majority of people are doing well and getting back to most activities by 3 months, but it can take 6 months to a year to fully recover depending on many conditions.
Four to six weeks after surgery
After about a month, your knee strength will improve. Plus, you'll feel more comfortable as your knee pain and swelling decreases. Depending on the type of knee replacement you had and how your recovery has been going, you may rely less or not at all on certain assistive devices.