Dr. Jonathan Franklin performs over 350 knee surgeries per year with total knee replacement (or total knee arthroplasty/aka TKA) being one of the most commonly performed knee surgeries. TKA is one of the most effective surgical procedure for end-stage knee arthritis and its count is estimated to rise to about 3.48 million procedures per year by 2030. Meticulous post-surgical care and rehab after knee replacement plays a crucial role in helping you get back on track and return to an active lifestyle faster. A well-designed post-op care ensures a speedy recovery, thus promoting early mobilization and increasing your chances for long-term success.
What to Expect?
After undergoing a knee replacement, you are monitored in an outpatient center recovery ward for less than 24 hours or monitored at the hospital as long as the stay requires. Medications will be given for adequate pain control. Cold therapy minimizes postoperative swelling and pain.
Knee exercises start a few hours after surgery under the supervision of a physical therapist. They will teach you the use of assistive devices such as crutches, walkers, or canes to help you move around safely until you are comfortable bearing your full weight on your operated joint.
On Day 1, patients are encouraged to use a toilet rather than a bedpan, climb a few stairs with the assistance of the medical staff, and work with PT to get the joint moving. All these measures enable early mobilization and shorten your outpatient or hospital stay.
Discharge
As a routine, most patients can leave the outpatient center on the same day or a hospital in 1 to 2 days. Dr. Franklin recommends discharge only when the patient has passed certain indicators and wound healing is satisfactory.
Dr. Franklin works with his patients to ascertain their discharge readiness and home care needs. At discharge, you should be able to do the following:
- Get out of the bed and move with the least possible external help using your assistive equipment
- Bend your knee — ideally to a 90-degree angle — that signifies your readiness to perform sit-to-stand transfers
- Use the toilet on your own
- Bath and dress on your own
- Be well – your health vitals are satisfactory by the medical staff
- Climb and descend a few flights of stairs using a cane, crutch or walker
- Start outpatient Physical Therapy (PT) within 3 days of surgery
- Demonstrate a good understanding of the exercises taught by your PT
What are Possible Issues?
The potential issues of knee replacement can be mild to severe. Nausea, vomiting, and constipation can be symptoms that arise from the anesthesia administered or pain medications issued after the surgery. Instructions are provided by the medical staff to help minimize these symptoms.
More serious and rare risks can include infection, blood clots and limited mobility. Dr. Franklin specifically recommends following strict preventive measures to avoid such complications.
What is the Recovery Duration?
Recovery for the operated knee may take 3 to 6 months before getting back to your normal daily functions. However, in most cases, you’ll be able to resume most activities after six weeks.
Here are the averages of commonly asked functions/task: walker/crutches 1-3 weeks, driving 2-6 weeks, “fun” travel 4-6 weeks, golf 3 months and “full-recovery” on average 6 months. Of course, these are averages and some patients will recover quicker, and others will take longer.
If you are thinking about knee replacement surgery, schedule a knee consultation with Dr. Franklin.
