What to Expect:

• Preoperative: Comprehensive assessment including imaging studies and lab tests.
• Procedure: The surgeon removes the old implant, addresses any underlying issues, and inserts new prosthetic components.
• Recovery: Recovery time can be longer compared to primary replacement. Intensive physical therapy is required.

Most knee replacements are done as a day surgery but some patients may require an overnight stay in the hospital. On the day of your surgery, you will begin mobilizing with a physiotherapist, starting with transfers to a chair. You can bear full weight on your operated leg once the nerve blocks from anesthesia wear off.

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in your recovery. The more you move and work on your range of motion, the better your overall outcome will be.

Once you are safe and comfortable, you will be discharged home with prescriptions for painkillers, blood thinners, and anti-inflammatories. You will have a follow-up appointment with your family doctor 10-14 days after surgery to examine your wound and check your progress. At the 6 week mark you’ll have your first follow-up with Dr. Dessouki which will include a clinical check and x-rays. Leading up to that appointment, you always have the ability to reach out to Dr. Dessouki’s office if any issues arise. 

During your recovery, you will likely need a walker or cane for the first 4-6 weeks. You can expect about 50% improvement at six weeks and 80% at twelve weeks. The final phase of recovery focuses on endurance training to reduce fatigue and stiffness, which can take up to a year. Common post-operative complaints include stiffness, ache, and swelling in the front of the knee. While the deep arthritic pain should be gone immediately after surgery, post-surgical pain can be significant.

This question varies a lot on what you do, and any accommodations that can be made for you at work and at home. Most importantly is depends on you – your expectations, drive and recovery are all variable. Most “desk” type jobs can be resumed around 8-12 weeks later, sooner in some cases. Most physical jobs will need a stronger recovery, typically 3-4 months.

You may drive when:

1) You are no longer taking narcotic pain medication
2) You have full power and function to engage in emergency braking of your car if necessary.

This usually takes a minimum of 6 weeks.

Once your knee replacement has healed, you can resume all day-to-day activities. For recreational activities, you may return to skating, skiing, light weight lifting, swimming, bowling, golfing, tennis, squash, biking, and using an elliptical trainer. The only restriction is on high-impact activities like jumping and running. While there is no direct medical evidence that these activities cause early implant failure, they generate very high joint reactive forces, which are believed to potentially lead to earlier wear of the implant.

Kneeling after a total knee replacement is possible for about half of the patients. While the cemented prosthesis can withstand the pressure, the scar tissue that often develops can make kneeling uncomfortable for some individuals.

Ideally, flying and long-distance travel should be postponed until six weeks after surgery. Short flights and travel can be undertaken 2-3 days post-surgery, but it’s important to get up and move every hour and to use a prescribed blood thinner.

Your physical condition is the biggest factor affecting your travel. You may still need a walker or cane to move safely and navigating crowded areas can be challenging. Planes, buses, and trains are often cramped, and sitting for extended periods can cause stiffness and knee pain.

In summary, if you can delay travel for the first six weeks, you will likely enjoy your trip more. Short flights, especially those necessary for returning home after surgery, should not be taken before 2-3 days and will require a prescribed blood thinner.