Knee Replacement Surgery, Recovery Time, Risks & Exercises

A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure whereby the diseased knee joint is replaced with artificial material.Source: iStock

Total knee replacement facts

Patients with severe destruction of the knee joint associated with progressive pain and impaired function may be candidates for total knee replacement.
Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for knee replacement operation in the U.S.
Risks of total knee replacement surgery have been identified.
Physical therapy is an essential part of rehabilitation after total knee replacement.
Patients with artificial joints are recommended to take antibiotics before, during, and after any elective invasive procedures (including dental work).

Surgical Treatment of Knee Pain

Partial knee replacement: The surgeon replaces the damaged portions of the knee with plastic and metal parts.

Total knee replacement: In this procedure, the knee is replaced with an artificial joint. It requires a major surgery and hospitalization.

Learn more about total knee replacement to treat knee pain »

What is a total knee replacement?

A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure whereby the diseased knee joint is replaced with artificial material. The knee is a hinge joint that provides motion at the point where the thigh meets the lower leg. The thighbone (or femur) abuts the large bone of the lower leg (tibia) at the knee joint.

Picture of a total knee replacement

During a total knee replacement, the end of the femur bone is removed and replaced with a metal shell. The end of the lower leg bone (tibia) is also removed and replaced with a channeled plastic piece with a metal stem. Depending on the condition of the kneecap portion of the knee joint, a plastic "button" may also be added under the kneecap surface. The artificial components of a total knee replacement are referred to as the prosthesis.

The posterior cruciate ligament is a tissue that normally stabilizes each side of the knee joint so that the lower leg cannot slide backward in relation to the thighbone. In total knee replacement surgery, this ligament is either retained, sacrificed, or substituted by a polyethylene post. Each of these various designs of total knee replacement has its own particular benefits and risks.

The most common reason for knee replacement in the United States is severe osteoarthritis of the knees.Source: Getty Images

What patients should consider a total knee replacement?

Total knee replacement surgery is considered for patients whose knee joints have been damaged by either progressive arthritis, trauma, or other rare destructive diseases of the joint. The most common reason for knee replacement in the United States is severe osteoarthritis of the knees.

Regardless of the cause of the damage to the joint, the resulting progressively increasing pain and stiffness and decreasing daily function lead the patient to consider total knee replacement. Decisions regarding whether or when to undergo knee replacement surgery are not easy. Patients should understand the risks as well as the benefits before making these decisions about knee replacement.

Risks of total knee replacement include Pulmonary embolism, bleeding, chronic knee pain, nerve damage, infection, and risks of anesthesia.Source: Getty Images

What are the risks of undergoing a total knee replacement?

Risks of total knee replacement include blood clots in the legs that can travel to the lungs (pulmonaryembolism).

Pulmonary embolism can cause
- shortness of breath,
- chest pain, and
- even shock.
Other risks include
- urinary tract infection,
- nausea and vomiting (usually related to pain medication),
- chronic knee pain and stiffness,
- bleeding into the knee joint,
- nerve damage,
- blood vessel injury, and
- infection of the knee which can require reoperation.
Furthermore, the risks of anesthesia include
- potential heart,
- lung,
- kidney, and
- liver damage.

Before knee replacement surgery, a doctor will also examine other joints. All tests and medications will be evaluated and recommended.Source: Getty Images

What is involved with the pre-operative evaluation for total knee replacement?

Before surgery, the joints adjacent to the diseased knee (hip and ankle) are carefully evaluated. This is important to ensure optimal outcome and recovery from the surgery. Replacing a knee joint that is adjacent to a severely damaged joint may not yield a significant improvement in function as the nearby joint may become more painful if it is abnormal.

Furthermore, all medications that the patient is taking are reviewed. Blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) and anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin may have to be adjusted or discontinued prior to knee replacement surgery.
Routine blood tests of liver and kidney function and urine tests are evaluated for signs of anemia, infection, or abnormal metabolism.
Chest X-ray and EKG are performed to exclude significant heart and lung disease that may preclude surgery or anesthesia.
Finally, a knee replacement surgery is less likely to have a good long-term outcome if the patient's weight is greater than 200 pounds. Excess body weight simply puts the replaced knee at an increased risk of loosening and/or dislocation and makes recovery more difficult.

Another risk is encountered in younger patients who may tend to be more active, thereby adding trauma to the replaced joint.

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When stabilized, patients are returned to their hospital room. A doctor, nurses, and physical therapist will monitor, treat your pain and help you to recover from the knee replacement surgery.Source: Getty Images

What happens in the post-operative period? What is involved in the recovery from surgery?

A total knee replacement generally requires between one and a half to three hours of operative time. Post-surgery, patients are taken to a recovery room, where vital organs are frequently monitored. When stabilized, patients are returned to their hospital room.

Passage of urine can be difficult in the immediate postoperative period, and this condition can be aggravated by pain medications. A catheter inserted into the urethra (a Foley catheter) allows free passage of urine until the patient becomes more mobile.
Physical therapy is an extremely important part of rehabilitation and requires full participation by the patient for optimal outcomes. Patients can begin physical therapy 48 hours after surgery.
Some degree of pain, discomfort, and stiffness can be expected during the early days of physical therapy.
Knee immobilizers are used to stabilize the knee while undergoing physical therapy, walking, and sleeping. They may be removed under the guidance of the physical therapist for various portions of physical therapy.
A unique device that can help speed recovery is the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. The CPM machine is first attached to the operated leg. The machine then constantly moves the knee through various degrees of range of motion for hours while the patient relaxes. This can help to improve circulation and minimize the risk of scarring and contracture of the tissues around the knee.
Patients will start walking using a walker and crutches. Eventually, patients will learn to walk up and downstairs and grades.
Several home exercises are given to strengthen the thigh and calf muscles.

Recovery from knee surgery requires medical supervision and physical therapy.Source: Getty Images

How does the patient continue to improve as an outpatient after discharge from the hospital? What are recommended exercises?

For an optimal outcome after total knee replacement surgery, it is important for patients to continue in an outpatient physical-therapy program along with home exercises during the healing process. Patients will be asked to continue exercising the muscles around the replaced joint to prevent scarring (and contracture) and maintain muscle strength for the purposes of joint stability. These exercises after surgery can reduce recovery time and lead to optimal strength and stability.

The wound will be monitored by the surgeon and his/her staff for healing. Patients also should watch for warning signs of infection, including abnormal redness, increasing warmth, swelling, or unusual pain. It is important to report any injury to the joint to the doctor immediately.

Future activities are generally limited to those that do not risk injuring the replaced joint. Sports that involve running or contact are avoided, in favor of leisure sports, such as golf, and swimming. Swimming is the ideal form of exercise, since the sport improves muscle strength and endurance without exerting any pressure or stress on the replaced joint.

Patients with joint replacements should alert their doctors and dentists that they have an artificial joint. These joints are at risk for infection by bacteria introduced by any invasive procedures such as surgery, dental or gum procedures, urological and endoscopic procedures, as well as from infections elsewhere in the body.

The treating physician will typically prescribe antibiotics before, during, and immediately after any elective procedures in order to prevent infection of the replaced joint.

Though infrequent, patients with total knee replacements can require a second operation years later. The second operation can be necessary because of loosening, fracture, or other complications of the replaced joint. Reoperations are generally not as successful as original operations and carry higher risks of complications. Future replacement devices and techniques will improve patient outcomes and lead to fewer complications.