Adam C. Young, MD
Alan C. League, MD
Albert Knuth, MD
Alejandra Rodriguez-Paez, MD
Alexander E. Michalow, MD
Alexander Gordon, MD
Alexander M. Crespo, MD
Alfonso Bello, MD
Ami Kothari, MD
Amy Jo Ptaszek, MD
Anand Vora, MD
Andrea S. Kramer, MD
Andrew J. Riff, MD
Angela R. Crowley, MD
Angelo Savino, MD
Anthony Savino, MD
Anuj S. Puppala, MD
Ari Kaz, MD
Ashraf H. Darwish, MD
Ashraf Hasan, MD
Bradley Dworsky, MD
Brian Clay, MD
Brian J. Burgess, DPM
Brian R. McCall, MD
Brian Schwartz, MD
Brian Weatherford, MD
Brooke Vanderby, MD
Bruce E. Noxon, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA
Bruce Summerville, MD
Bryan Waxman, MD
Bryant S. Ho, MD
Carey E. Ellis, MD
Carla Gamez, DPM
Cary R. Templin, MD
Charles L. Lettvin, MD
Charles M. Lieder, DO
Chinyoung Park, MD
Christ Pavlatos, MD
Christian Skjong, MD
Christopher C. Mahr, MD
Christopher J. Bergin, MD
Craig Cummins, MD
Craig Phillips, MD
Craig S. Williams, MD
Craig Westin, MD
Daniel M. Dean, MD
David Beigler, MD
David Guelich, MD
David H. Garelick, MD
David Hamming, MD
David Hoffman, MD
David M. Anderson, MD
David Raab, MD
David Schneider, DO
Djuro Petkovic, MD
Douglas Diekevers, DPM
Douglas Solway, DPM
E. Quinn Regan, MD
Eddie Jones Jr., MD
Edward J. Logue, MD
Ellis K. Nam, MD
Eric Chehab, MD
Eric L. Lee, MD
Evan A. Dougherty, MD
Garo Emerzian, DPM
Gary Shapiro, MD
Giridhar Burra, MD
Gregory Brebach, MD
Gregory J. Fahrenbach, MD
Gregory Portland, MD
Harpreet S. Basran, MD
Holly L. Brockman, MD
Inbar Kirson, MD, FACOG, Diplomate ABOM
Jacob M. Babu, MD, MHA
Jalaal Shah, DO
James M. Hill, MD
James R. Bresch, MD
Jason G. Hurbanek, MD
Jason Ghodasra, MD
Jason J. Shrouder-Henry, MD
Jeffrey Ackerman, MD
Jeffrey Goldstein, MD
Jeffrey Staron, MD
Jeffrey Visotsky, MD
Jeremy Oryhon, MD
Jing Liang, MD
John H. Lyon, MD
Jonathan Erulkar, MD
Jordan L. Goldstein, MD
Josephine H. Mo, MD
Juan Santiago-Palma, MD
Justin Gent, MD
Justin M. LaReau, MD
Kellie Gates, MD
Kermit Muhammad, MD
Kevin Chen, MD
Kris Alden MD, PhD
Leah R. Urbanosky, MD
Leigh-Anne Tu, MD
Leon Benson, MD
Lori Siegel, MD
Lynn Gettleman Chehab, MD, MPH, Diplomate ABOM
Marc Angerame, MD
Marc Breslow, MD
Marc R. Fajardo, MD
Marie Kirincic, MD
Mark Gonzalez, MD
Mark Gross, MD
Mark Hamming, MD
Mark Mikhael, MD
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Mehul H. Garala, MD
Michael C. Durkin, MD
Michael Chiu, MD
Michael J. Corcoran, MD
Michael O'Rourke, MD
Nathan G. Wetters, MD
Nikhil K. Chokshi, MD
Paul L. Goodman, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA
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Peter Thadani, MD
Phillip Ludkowski, MD
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Rhutav Parikh, MD
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Ronak M. Patel, MD
Scott Jacobsen, DPM
Sean A. Sutphen, DO
Serafin DeLeon, MD
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Steven M. Mardjetko, MD
Steven S. Louis, MD
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T. Andrew Ehmke, DO
Taizoon Baxamusa, MD
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Thomas Gleason, MD
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Todd Simmons, MD
Tom Antkowiak, MD, MS
Tomas Nemickas, MD
Van Stamos, MD
Wayne M. Goldstein, MD
Wesley E. Choy, MD
William P. Mosenthal, MD
William Vitello, MD

Knee Replacement Surgery – What to Expect When Recovering

IBJI

August 10, 2021  |  Blog

Knee Replacement Surgery: What to Expect When Recovering

This article is part of the Ultimate Guide to Knee Pain Relief and was updated in May 2021.

For the human knee to function normally three conditions need to be fulfilled: it should be pain-free, stable, and have a full range of motion. Certain diseases, like osteoarthritis, can lead to functional disorder in the knee, which is manifested by pain and instability. 

Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, can help provide relief for the common causes of knee pain, increase stability, and improve your mobility.

In the last decade, there has been a lot of progress in this kind of surgery, and patients are recovering faster than ever with this knee surgery.

Keep reading to learn more about what to expect during the surgery recovery process (and how you can help your body heal).

What to Expect After Knee Replacement Surgery?

Most people who have knee replacement surgery will experience reduced pain, increased range of motion, and greater stability. Overall, the improvements after surgery increase the quality of life as many patients can walk without crutches or walkers.

Immediately after surgery, there will be some general swelling from the surgery and some pain from the actual procedure.  It is essential to use your walker or crutches until your physician says you no longer need them.

How Long Does the Healing Process Take?

Typically, after four to six weeks, you may generally resume normal day-to-day activities, including walking, driving, and doing some light chores around the house. Total recovery time will be dependent on your situation and if you consistently follow your physical therapy plan.

Will I Need Physical Therapy After the Surgery?

Physical therapy is almost always recommended for knee replacement surgery patients to help them have a fuller and faster recovery. The exercises will help strengthen your knee and other muscles in your leg required to gain a full range of motion and maintain stability.

Some patients stop physical therapy once they begin to feel ready to do regular day-to-day activities, but it’s important to see a plan all the way through for best recovery results.

As soon as you start feeling pain, it is necessary to begin with analgesia. The same goes for the application of pain medication that you usually use.

The risks of arthroscopic knee surgery today are minimal. Most patients enjoy an increased quality of life due to decreased pain and an increase in overall mobility. Typically after four to six weeks, you should walk with assistance from crutches or a walker, but you must continue with your physical therapy until your plan is complete.

If your doctor has recommended knee replacement surgery or you think a knee surgery would help you. Make an appointment with one of our orthopedic knee specialists at IBJI to discuss the best options and treatment for you.

Trust IBJI When You Need Knee Replacement Surgery

Move better and live better with help from IBJI’s highly-trained knee surgeons, physical therapists, and orthopedic specialists. 

We are experts in knee replacement surgery. Our practice has 150 physicians, 100 locations in the Chicagoland area, expertise in surgical and non-surgical treatments for chronic knee pain and all other orthopedic specialties.

Request an Appointment with a Knee Surgeon →

*The blog is for general information and educational purposes only regarding musculoskeletal conditions. The information provided does not constitute the practice of medicine or other healthcare professional services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor-patient relationship is formed. Readers with musculoskeletal conditions should seek the advice of their healthcare professionals without delay for any condition they have. The use of the information is at the reader’s own risk. The content is not intended to replace diagnosis, treatment or medical advice from your treating healthcare professional.

Download the Ultimate Guide to Knee Pain Relief

IBJI

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Illinois Bone & Joint Institute provides a safe alternative to hospitals and emergency rooms for urgent and non-urgent orthopedic treatment and care. Learn more about the steps we are taking to keep all IBJI facilities safe for patients and staff.
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