What to expect 5 months after knee replacement?

Almost 90% of the patients (a majority) of patients can recovery mostly after 3 months. 5 months after knee replacement you can expect 100% recovery, but sometimes it may be up to 6 months or longer before you can recovery 100%.

Some patients can recover after 3 weeks – especially those who did knee-strengthening exercises while preparing for the surgery.

People with comorbid conditions, who are old and smoke may take longer time to recover.

Patients who are older, smoke, or have other medical conditions may take longer to heal.

3 months after total knee replacement

Many people at this stage are up on their feet as they enjoy playing games, bicycling and dancing. The complete recovery at this time depends on your rehabilitation and commitment. You can also enjoy a complete range of motions in your knee. You will not have any pain at all even with recreational exercises and normal activities.

What not to do after knee replacement?

Do not sit in a regular bathtub because you will find it difficult to get up safely from there.

While taking shover do not reach to anything by squatting, bending.

While lying down, keep your knee straight and rest. Do not put a pillow or pad behind your knee when lying down.

Do not carry or lift heavy stuff – such as large pets, tool boxes, garbage bags, laundry items or grocery bags – this will put excess stress on your new knee.

What to wear after knee replacement surgery?

Ensure that the footwear that you are wearing is with non-skid soles. Do not wear slippery footwear or shoes. Do not wear flip-flops as well. Avoid slippery surfaces. Go slowly when walking on wet or uneven surfaces.

Equipment needed after knee replacement

Assistive devices include walkers, crutches, and canes.

Doctors recommend you to use crutches, walkers and canes as assistive devices. When you stand on both legs use walker or crutches that help you stand up. You can ask your orthopedic surgeon as to when can you drive. Usually, you may have to wait for up to 4 weeks after surgery to resume driving.

You may use a continuous passive motion machine (CPM) machine. It will help you in moving your joint gently and slowly after surgery. It is helpful in preventing joint stiffness and scar tissues formation and build-up of fluid. You will use this machine in the hospital and possibly at home as well.

How to sleep after knee replacement?

When you sleep, take rest or when lying down ensure that you keep your leg straight. Do not bend your leg or keep a pillow or support behind your knee while sleeping or taking rest. If you need to raise or elevate your leg, keep your knee straight.

How to take care of your new knee joint?

Precautions after knee replacement

Sitting

Don’t sit in a chair in the same position for more than 50 minutes or an hour. Sit in a chair with armrests and a straight back. Don’t use rocking chairs, sofas, soft chairs or stools and also the chairs that are too low.

Do not get up abruptly from the chair – instead take the support of armrest and slide towards the edge of the chair – use crutches or walker or arms of the chair for support to get up.

When getting up from a chair, slide toward the edge of the chair, and use the arms of the chair, your walker, or crutches for support to get up.

When you are getting dressed:

Don’t dressed up while standing. It is better to sit on the edge of the bed and get dressed without bending too much. While removing clothes remove them from the surgery side last and put on socks and pants first on the leg that you had surgery done.

While Using stairs take the following precautions:

While going up stairs use the leg that did not have surgery first. While getting down, first step with the leg that did have surgery. Take one step at a time slowly until your muscles develop endurance and power. Use side railing or banister while steeping up and down stairs. Do not take long flights of stairs for at least up to two months.