Joint Replacement
Recovery
In The Hospital
Knee replacement surgery usually requires an in-hospital stay of 2 to 3 days.
It is important to begin moving the new joint after surgery. A physical therapist will meet with you soon after your surgery and plan an exercise program for you. A You will be given an exercise plan to follow both in the hospital and after discharge.
You will be discharged home or to a rehabilitation center. In either case, your physician will arrange for continuation of physical therapy until you regain muscle strength and good range of motion.
At Home
Once you are home, it is important to keep the surgical area clean and dry. Your physician will give you specific bathing instructions. The stitches or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up office visit.
To help reduce swelling, you may be asked to elevate your leg or apply ice to the knee. Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your physician. Aspirin or certain other pain medications may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medications. Notify your physician to report any of the following:
• Fever
• Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other drainage from the incision site
• Increased pain around the incision site
You may resume your normal diet unless your physician advises you differently.
You should not drive until your physician tells you to. Other activity restrictions may apply. Full recovery from the surgery may take several months. It is important that you avoid falls after your knee replacement surgery, because a fall can result in damage to the new joint. Your therapist may recommend an assistive device (cane or walker) to help you walk until your strength and balance improve.
Making certain modifications to your home may help you during your recovery. These modifications include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Proper handrails along all stairs
- Safety handrails in the shower or bath
- Shower bench or chair
- Raised toilet seat
- Long-handled sponge and shower hose
- Dressing stick
- Sock aid
- Long-handled shoe horn
- Reaching stick to grab objects
- Removing loose carpets and electrical cords that may cause you to trip
- Avoiding stair-climbing until recommended by your physician
Your physician may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.
