Total Knee Replacement

These results are averages, remember that each case is individualised, depending on your general health, age, and attitude.

• 0 - 2 weeks after surgery: your activity level is usually limited, however, you will be able to walk independently, use the bathroom, and perform normal activities of daily living.
• 2 - 4 weeks you will be able to engage in moderate activities, i.e. driving a car and climbing stairs.
• Within 6 weeks, you will have resumed most of your normal activities. Squatting and kneeling come with time.
• Complete surgical healing takes 6 - 8 weeks. During this time some swelling and discomfort is normal and should be manageable with prescribed medications. After this time the knee tissue begins to soften and become more natural.
• Some patients may notice a small area of numbness on the lateral aspect (outside area) of the knee incision. This may or may not resolve over time. Some patients may require an injection of cortisone (after 5 - 6 weeks) to relieve tissue soreness due to inflammation from surgery and re-adjustment of the knee joint.

Results

Results of a knee replacement are classified as excellent, if activities of daily living can be performed without pain or restrictions. (This does not include running sports). Results are classified as good if occasional mild pain occurs, and only slight restrictions of movement are present.

For the past 5 years, studies have usually recorded 95% good to excellent results.

Your prosthetic knee can wear out or loosen and may require replacement if necessary. On the other hand, people live longer now, and you may outlive your new knee. Regular review is recommended.

A Positive Approach.

We are fortunate to live in an age when joints that have been worn out or used up can be replaced. It was not many years ago that all age groups had to accept a drastically restricted lifestyle with the failure of just one major joint. Although it is difficult sometimes for us to accept replacement surgery, because of the thought of losing our body part, a more positive approach is to realize that we are only losing a part that has been completely used up.

The improved lifestyle after joint replacement is well worth the risk and stress of surgery. The uphill battle that is necessary to come out ahead after surgery, is definitely preferable to the downhill struggle to maintain function that is the normal course of untreated arthritis.

We wish you the best and make the commitment to do our utmost to provide you with whatever you need to be the best you can be.

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