Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery is really a cartilage replacement. The knee itself is not replaced, only the cartilage on the ends of the bones. Knee replacement implants include a metal alloy on the bottom of the thighbone and polyethylene (plastic) on the top of the tibia and underneath the kneecap. The implant is designed to create a new, smoothly functioning joint that prevents painful bone-on-bone contact. Your surgeon may elect to replace all or part of your knee, depending on your condition and the extent to which your knee is affected by arthritis.

A New Knee

If you opt for a new knee, your doctor will cut away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap, and then replace your old joint with an artificial one made of several parts. Generally, the surgery takes about two hours. For both knee and hip, patients can return to driving in four to six weeks. They are back to almost all activity in three months. Your hospital stay for knee surgery will typically last from three to seven days, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Before going home, you should be able to: Get in and out of bed by yourself, and extend your knee fully. You should practice the exercise program your physical therapist advises, and walk on a level surface or climb a few stairs with the help of a walker or crutches. Expect to return to your normal routine gradually. Chances are, you’ll need a walker or crutches for several weeks, and it may be six or eight weeks before you’re back at work. Naturally, you’ll want to do everything possible to make your new joint last. So even after you’ve fully recovered, you’re better off avoiding activities that stress your joint, such as skiing or jogging.

To find an orthopedic specialist near you, call 866-690-9355 (WELL).

Click here to read our Patient’s Guide to Joint Replacement Surgery.