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Understanding Knee Replacement
Underneath your surgical dressing is a marvel of modern medicine - smooth plastic and metal components have replaced the worn and diseased bone and cartilage in your problem knee, allowing the knee joint to move more smoothly and comfortably. As your new knee heals and your post-operative pain subsides, you should find that your knee pain and stiffness have either disappeared or been significantly diminished.

Rehabilitation
Congratulations! Now that your knee replacement surgery is over, you're ready to begin your return to an active lifestyle. Rehabilitation time will vary depending the state of your health before the operation, how quickly you heal, and how well you follow the rehab regimen created by your doctor and therapists.

Be cautious with your new knee and avoid overly strenuous or prohibited activities. And be patient - your recovery will take some time and effort. But if you conscientiously do your exercises and follow your doctor's instructions, you should again be able to enjoy most of the same activities you did before hip pain made them impossible.

Using Crutches
Crutches require a considerable amount of upper body strength, so their use is advisable only for certain patients. If your doctor agrees that they're right for you, start by moving the crutches in place and then leaning on your hands - not your armpits. Keeping your injured leg lined up with the crutches, move both leg and crutches forward. Look straight ahead as you "step through" the crutches with your other leg. To turn, take small steps.

Using a Walker
Start slowly by moving the walker a few inches in front of you. Lean on it, letting it support most of your weight, and step into the center of the walker with the injured leg. Taking care not to twist that leg, step once with your other leg. As your rehabilitation progresses, you'll be able to move the walker in time with your steps. Try to take small, even steps.

Exercises
Your physical therapist will show you several exercises designed to help you strengthen your muscles and increase your range of motion. Your rehabilitation program will include:

• Bending your knee
• Straightening your knee
• Getting in and out of bed
• Walking with crutches or a walker
• Walking up and down stairs
• Following your home exercise program
• Resuming your normal day-to-day activities

• Make sure your seat in the vehicle is not too low - the driver may need to place a pillow in the seat.
• The driver can also put a plastic bag down to help you slide across the seat, especially when you have a coat on.
• Your seat should slide back as far as it can so you can get the most room.
• Vans, as an option, are usually easier to get out of.
  

Call Your Doctor:

• If you experience swelling around the incision or in your calf or leg.
• If you have unusual pain, tingling or numbness in your foot, leg or knee.
• If you see fluid leaking from the incision.
• If you have trouble breathing or experience chest pains, coughing or severe nausea or vomiting.
• If you notice signs of infection, including chills and fever over 101º Fahrenheit for more than 24 hours.
• If your toes, foot or leg appear chalky white, blue or black.
• If you experience pain, burning, unusual urgency or frequency of urination, or see persistent blood in the urine.
  

Next: Post Operative Exercises and Goals

You want your prosthesis to wear less. Wright prides itself in being responsive to surgeon's design recommendations, and working closely with them while choosing advanced bearing materials that are intended to wear less / last longer.