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  • Possible Complications of Surgery
  • What to Expect When You're Fully Recovered
  • Life After Joint Replacement

• Animation of Normal Knee
• Arthritis: The Leading Cause of Knee Pain
• Conventional Knee Replacement
• Animation of Knee Replacement
• Knee Replacement Surgery

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• Hip Replacement FAQ

• 10 Questions to Ask
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• You Don't Have to Live with Joint Pain
• What You Need to Know About Joint Replacement Surgery

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Home / About the Knee /

Knee Replacement Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Replacement

What is knee replacement?

Knee joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which certain parts of an arthritic or damaged knee joint are removed and replaced with a prosthesis, or artificial joint. The artificial joint is designed to move just like a normal, healthy joint and allows you to get back to enjoying normal, everyday activities without pain.

How "bad" does my joint pain have to get before I should consider having joint replacement?

This is a very personal decision that only you can make with the help of an orthopaedic specialist's evaluation of your pain and its effects on your daily life. For example, experiencing knee pain day after day without relief can lead to "staying off" the joint — which often weakens the muscles around it, so it becomes even more difficult to move.

When other more conservative treatment options — including medication and physical therapy — no longer provide pain relief, joint replacement may be recommended.

What will I need to know about postoperative recovery in the hospital?

Following joint replacement surgery, hospital stays vary depending on insurance coverage and individual medical status. A total of four days (including the day of the surgery) is typical. On the first day after your surgery, you will likely get out of bed and begin physical and occupational therapy, typically several brief sessions a day.

Usually a case manager is assigned to work with you as you move through your rehabilitation routines. When you're ready for discharge, the decision will be made concerning whether you can best continue to recover at home (the usual procedure) or in another facility where you may receive specialized rehabilitative help. If you do go to another facility, the goal will be to return you to your home, able to move about with a safe level of independence, within three to five days.

What can I expect in the first days after I'm discharged?

You shouldn't be surprised if you feel a little shaky and uncertain for the first day or two after you're discharged. But soon you may get a routine going and gain confidence in your new joint — the start of a new life with less pain. (As with any surgery, you'll probably take pain medication for a few days while you are healing.) Be aware that you'll probably need a walker and/or crutches for about six weeks, then use a cane for another six weeks or so. You'll be in touch with your doctor or orthopaedic specialist as well as your case manager, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions or discuss concerns as well as to report your progress.

When will I be able to go back to a normal daily routine, such as going to work or driving a car?

This is a decision that only you and your doctor or orthopaedic specialist can make. Be sure to follow your doctor's or orthopaedic surgeon's advice and recommendations. Individual results may vary.

How long does a knee replacement last?

As successful as most of these procedures are, over the years the artificial joint can become loose or wear out, requiring a revision (repeat) surgery. How long it will last depends not only on a person's age, but also on a patient's activity level. These issues — together with the fact that increasing numbers of younger and more active people are receiving total joint replacement — have challenged the orthopaedic industry to try to extend the life cycle of total joint replacements.

How can I find an orthopaedic specialist near me?

You can find an orthopaedic specialist near you by attending our free joint pain seminar. Register here, or call our joint pain educator at (602) 248-5301.