Activity After Total Knee Joint Replacement - General Knowledge Post-Surgery

If you are about to have a total knee joint replacement surgery, you are on your way to a new lease on life! Replacing a knee that has been worn down and causes intense pain is a major surgery and you will probably have many questions the doctor will be happy to answer. However, for this piece, we're going to talk about what happens after the replacement has taken place and discuss activity after a total knee joint replacement surgery and what you can expect as far as rehab and venturing back into your daily routines. Let's begin will immediately after surgery.

After surgery you're going to wake up and think there is no way I can do anything with this knee. It hurts. However, your doctors, nurses, and physical therapists will all work with you to find the right amount of pain management for your individual needs. And, it's important that even though you want to rest your leg that you get moving. In the hospital, a machine called a CPM (continuous passive motion) will do this for you anywhere from 4 to 6 hours a day. A physical therapist will visit you the day after your surgery to get your started on other rehab exercises. Again, everyone is going to stress to you which activity after a total knee joint replacement is appropriate.

Before you are allowed to go home, most doctors will require that you meet certain criteria, these include getting out of bed on your own, being able to bend your knee at a 90 degree angle or show appropriate progress for your situation. You should be able to extend your knee fully, be able to walk with crutches or a walker on a level surface and even be able to walk up a step or two. Remember, these activities may be tailored to your needs. You will also have to demonstrate your willingness to do at home exercises. Other activities after a total knee joint replacement that can be done at home will be explained, as well as those you must avoid until your knee has healed.

Resuming normal activities after a total knee joint replacement is going to take a while and will generally follow a pattern. If you had a left knee replaced, driving may begin as early as 1 week after surgery if you are off all narcotic pain medication. If the right knee was replaced, expect it to take 4-6 weeks before you can drive, right along with sexual activity. You can sleep on your side, your stomach, or your back safely after you return home from the hospital. Expect to be able to resume working, if you do so, within 6-8 weeks post-surgery and remember that while walking, biking, and swimming are encouraged, stay away from activities that jar the knee, like jumping and jogging, as well as heavy lifting.