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 1. Home
 2. Knee Articles
 3. Recovering from Joint Replacement Surgery

Recovery


RECOVERING FROM JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Our expectations about how we’ll feel after joint surgery play a big role in the
actual outcome. In this article, Dr. Aleto shares what he tells his patients to
help them realistically prepare for what’s to come.
July 5, 2020 | 7 min read

The number of joint replacements performed across the globe each year is high.
With the aging of the baby boomers, and the growing demand for improved mobility
and quality of life, the number of procedures performed yearly is projected to
increase considerably in the future. Thus, making joint replacement surgery one
of the most common elective procedures in the coming decades.

For most patients, hip or knee replacement surgery is indicated when you have
daily pain that is unresponsive to non-operative treatment. This is typically
due to end stage, bone-on-bone arthritis. While these types of surgeries are
typically successful, like any operation, there are risks involved.

If these procedures are typically successful, why are some people still
unsatisfied with their outcome? While there are many reasons for this, the
expectations we have regarding the outcome of the surgery, realistic or not, are
a common cause of dissatisfaction. So, it’s important to have a thorough and
realistic understanding of what to expect after hip or knee replacement surgery,
both in regard to recovery as well as long term results. 


GENERAL EXPECTATIONS AFTER HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

In general, most patients find hip replacement recovery to be easier and faster
than total knee replacement. This is primarily because of the differences
between the joints. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint and does not get as
stiff after surgery like the knee joint, which is more of a hinged joint. As a
result, knee replacement requires much more therapy following surgery to regain
the range of motion in the joint. This unfortunately takes more time and effort
from a patient’s perspective. 



In contrast to what you may expect, younger patients commonly have a slower and
more painful recovery than older patients. This is normal, and likely because,
younger patients typically have more muscle mass than older patients due to the
natural process of aging.

 * Try not to compare yourself to other patients. Every patient recovers at a
   different rate and responds to surgery and pain differently. The key to
   recovery is to focus on the daily and weekly improvements during the first
   two to three months after surgery. Most patients notice continuing
   improvement throughout the first year after surgery as their new joint heals
   and the muscles around the joint are reconditioned.
 * Most patients feel exhausted after joint replacement surgery. Remember this
   is a major operation and requires a lot of your energy to heal. Fatigue is
   just part of the normal recovery process.
 * Most patients report pain that is worse at night and inability to sleep well
   for more than two to three hours at a time. Until this improves, it’s
   important to use your pain medication, and follow all of your doctor’s orders
   regarding ice, movement, and activity as prescribed. Post-op Pain Management
   Strategies for Orthopedic Patients
 * Stiffness after prolonged periods of sitting or inactivity is common. This
   may be present for several months after your surgery even once your pain has
   resolved. This is a result of the inflammatory process that is part of normal
   healing. This same inflammation also causes your joint to be warm and swell
   with activity during the first year of recovery. As your new joint continues
   to heal, you’ll notice that these symptoms should resolve. Ask your doctor
   about excessive swelling, stiffness or warmth, which could signal an
   infection or other complication.
 * Some patients can bear full weight on their new joint after surgery, but will
   likely need help walking. You’ll start with a walker, then progress to a
   cane, and ultimately walk without assistance. For some patients, this may
   take place over the matter of days while others this may take weeks. It’s
   critical that you don’t fall after surgery. This is a high risk that could
   result in damaging your joint.
 * Your activity after joint replacement is primarily limited by how your joint
   responds. If you’re overactive, you might notice increased pain and swelling.
   Your doctor may place temporary, or even permanent, restrictions on certain
   activities depending on your individual circumstances.
 * The pain caused from bone-on-bone should be gone after surgery. But, there
   are multiple factors that could cause pain and impact your functional
   ability. If your functional ability is limited by factors other than pain,
   this may have an impact on your overall recovery.


WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT

 * Pain and some swelling are typical after surgery. Elevation, ice, and taking
   your pain medications as prescribed by your surgeon are critical early in the
   postoperative period.
 * The primary goal after surgery is to regain your knee range of motion (ROM).
   Most patients find this to be the most challenging aspect of knee replacement
   surgery. This generally requires six to eight weeks of physical therapy.
 * Failure to regain your ROM after surgery can limit the function of your new
   joint. This is time sensitive and, in general, you should have full ROM
   within the first eight to twelve weeks after surgery. If you are not
   progressing as anticipated, you may require a manipulation under anesthesia
   to break up the scar tissue that develops after surgery.
 * Some patients hear a click or noise when they move their knee following joint
   replacement. Remember, the knee is resurfaced with metal and plastic implants
   during surgery. This noise generally becomes less apparent with time.
 * It’s typical to have pain on the inside of your knee and numbness on the
   outside. This numbness may persist for several months but generally improves
   with time and is a result of the superficial skin incision.
 * Most patients have discomfort with kneeling. Ask your surgeon for specific
   instruction about kneeling.
 * Stairs may be painful and difficult for several months after surgery. This
   specific activity puts high demand on your new knee and requires significant
   strength, which takes time to rebuild after surgery. This should improve with
   time and continued use. 


WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HIP REPLACEMENT

 * Pain and some swelling are typical after surgery. Elevation, ice, and taking
   your pain medications as prescribed by your surgeon are critical early in the
   postoperative period.
 * The primary goal after hip surgery is to be able to walk without assistance
   as tolerated. Range of motion is typically regained with normal use, unlike
   knee replacement that requires specific therapy.
 * You will likely be required to follow certain hip precautions after surgery,
   so your hip does not dislocate. The risk of this is unlikely, but is greatest
   in the first two to three months while your hip is healing. Your doctor may
   place temporary, or even permanent, restrictions on certain activities
   depending on your individual circumstances.
 * Your leg is not too long. This is a common sensation after hip replacement
   surgery and generally corrects with time as your pelvis adjusts to your new
   hip.
 * Your limp will go away with time and use. The longer you limped before
   surgery the longer it will take to condition your hip muscles and unlearn
   your previous walking pattern.

It’s important to remember that joint replacement is a treatment for arthritis.
It’s not a magic solution that will turn back the clock of time. If you have
questions, or are uncertain about what you should expect from your procedure,
talk to your doctor. They will be able to provide guidance based on your
specific condition.

A person’s body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat, in an adult, as
described by the National Institutes of Health. It’s calculated using your
height and weight, which can easily be obtained during a clinic visit.  Your BMI
is used to categorize adults in groups; underweight (BMI <18.5), normal weight
(BMI 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI 25-29.9), obese (BMI >30).  The obese category
has further sub-groups: moderately obese (BMI 30-34.9), severely obese (BMI 35-
39.9), very severely obese (BMI 40-44.9), morbidly obese (BMI 45-49.9), super
obese (BMI 50-59.9), and hyper obese (BMI 60 and above).

Your BMI can have a profound impact on your ability to have surgery, as well as
your ability to tolerate surgery… especially in the obese category sub-groups. 
Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of complications during many
types of surgery, but the most heavily studied has been in relation to joint
replacement surgery.  

A review of several papers published on this topic show that obese patients (BMI
>30) who underwent joint replacement surgery were 1.7x more likely to have
complications than patients with a BMI <30.1-3  This has been looked at further
in sub-groups of obesity.  Patients with a BMI >35 are 2.2x more likely to have
complications.1-3 Patients with a BMI >40 are 3.7x more likely. And, patients
with a BMI >50 are 21x more likely to have complications.1-3

Now, you may be wondering what kind of complications we’re talking about? These
complications can include problems during or after your surgery like infection,
wound healing problems, intra-operative fracture, nerve injury, and even an
increased risk of developing a blood clot.  Complications can continue to occur
long after your surgery and might include hip dislocation, late infection,
loosening of the prosthesis, and an increased risk of additional surgeries.

This is extremely important as some of these complications may have a tremendous
impact on your recovery and success from joint replacement surgery.  They can
lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased need for additional medications and
services, and even the need to return to the operating room.  An infection in a
total joint replacement will likely require a return to the operating room and,
in many cases, may require an additional surgery to take the implant out for a
period of time to rid your body of the infection, and then another surgery to
put a joint replacement back in.  Unfortunately, in an obese patient, it can be
more difficult to get rid of the infection and may make the need for additional
surgery more likely.

Due to these increased risks of performing joint replacement surgery in obese
patients, many surgeons, hospitals, and health systems may have adopted policies
concerning the appropriateness of surgery based on BMI.  It’s important to talk
with your surgeon about your BMI and how it may influence your ability to safely
undergo joint replacement surgery.  Your doctor has your best interest at heart
so try not to be discouraged if they suggest addressing your BMI prior to
proceeding with joint replacement surgery.  They may offer guidance on the best
ways for you to reduce your weight.  They may also guide you on managing other
medical conditions, such as making sure that your diabetes is well controlled,
that your anemia is corrected, and that your nutrition is optimized.

BMI can have an impact on your ability to undergo an uncomplicated joint
replacement surgery.  However, working with your surgeon and his or her team
should allow you to reduce these risks and ultimately to achieve the same
quality of life benefits that all patients hope to achieve through successful
joint replacement surgery.

REFERENCES

Written by Dr. Thomas Aleto who received remuneration as a Zimmer Biomet
consultant for writing this article

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NEXT STEPS


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Recovery

INCISION CARE AFTER JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Complications such as infection or dislocation can occur after joint replacement
surgery. It’s important to notify your doctor about symptoms that could indicate
a potential complication.


RELATED TOPICS


Surgery

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY


Diagnosis and Options

TOO YOUNG FOR HIP PAIN?


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