Joint Replacement Recovery: What Experts Want You To Know

If you’re considering joint replacement surgery, it’s important to know what the recovery process is like. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions around surgery and recovery. These myths can make it difficult to determine if joint repair or replacement is right for you. It can also affect your outcome.

You have the most vital role in your healing. Together with your orthopaedic surgeon and care team, you can prepare and make the most of your recovery. Here’s what joint replacement experts want you to know.

Preparing for Knee, Hip or Shoulder Surgery

Your recovery process starts before your surgery. Preparing yourself and your environment will make a difference in your recovery. Work with your orthopaedic surgeon to develop a recovery plan. Here are some things to consider:

Work with a physical therapist to prepare your body for surgery. Your overall health before surgery affects your outcome after surgery. Having an active lifestyle and increasing muscle strength may help your body adapt.

If you smoke, you should stop at least four to six weeks before surgery. Smoking affects your body’s immune system. It also makes it harder for your body to heal. If you smoke, it’s important to quit before surgery to give your body the best chance for healing and success.

Prepare your home for your recovery after surgery. Using stairs, taking showers, cooking meals and doing chores are all things that will be challenging right after surgery. Make it easier on yourself by having a post operative plan in place.

Movement is Essential After Surgery

Downtime after surgery is one of the misconceptions many people have about joint replacement surgery. If you’re worried about spending days in the hospital or being on bedrest, that’s not the case for typical patients.

“Most patients are walking the same day after their hip or knee surgery. We do it safely, using assistive devices, such walkers and canes,” says ProMedica Physicians orthopaedic surgeon Gage Trott, MD. “We have to get you moving to begin your recovery.”

Movement increases blood flow, which is necessary for healing. Joint replacement rehabilitation will also help you build strength and increase range of motion.

“After your surgical procedure, you’ll work with a physical therapist starting on the day of surgery” explains Dr. Trott. “We’ll make sure you’re able to safely move around and things are going well. You’ll generally begin with in-home physical therapy after leaving the hospital and eventually outpatient therapy as you continue to recover and get stronger.”

After the hospital, you’ll work with a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) or physical therapist (PT) to develop a care plan. The goal will be to increase your ability to move safely and help your joint heal.

Building Strength and Improving Range of Motion

After joint replacement surgery, physical therapists work with patients on building strength and improving range of motion. These are key to a successful recovery and getting back to the activities you enjoy.

Physical therapist Bryon Renwand, DPT, says that recovery is an active process. Healthy joint movement is essential.

“In outpatient rehab, we will initially focus on regaining your range of motion. This means how far your joint can move in different directions,” Bryon explains. “We’ll also work on strengthening your muscles within the joint’s range of motion.”

Movement and muscle-strengthening exercises are important to improve circulation and muscle tone around your joint. If you don’t do this soon after surgery, it will be much harder to achieve later. This is especially important for those who have had a total knee replacement. Early range of motion and strength exercises will help you gain full extension of the joint.

Your physical therapist will also give you home exercises as part of your treatment plan. “Think of these exercises as your part-time job,” says Bryon. “You will have a better recovery if you stay motivated through this process. Set goals for yourself to continue progressing.”

Managing Swelling and Pain after Joint Replacement Surgery

Swelling is normal after joint replacement surgery and can last for months. Your body is trying to help you heal with extra blood and fluid. You can manage this swelling with ice and elevation.

“You should also expect some pain following surgery,” says Bryon. “This pain is different from arthritis pain. Muscle soreness isn’t a bad thing; it’s expected when you recover. But there are ways to relieve the pain.”

Your orthopaedic surgeon will typically write a prescription for pain medication. You may need these medications for several weeks after surgery. Remember, safely increasing your movement and strength will help with pain, too.

“There may also be slight alterations to your anatomy. It may not feel exactly the same as before your surgery,” explains Dr. Trott.

After a total hip replacement, you shouldn’t bend the hip past 90 degrees. You should avoid crossing your legs or twisting or pivoting on your operated leg. After a total knee replacement, you shouldn’t kneel on your operated knee. You should also avoid twisting or hopping activities. Avoiding these activities is vital after surgery. Everyone is different, so talk with your orthopaedic surgeon about if and when you may be able to do these kinds of movements again safely.

Knowing if You’re a Good Candidate for Surgery

Your orthopaedic surgeon will likely encourage conservative treatments to help with joint pain first. This may include physical therapy, topical treatments or injection treatments.

“If conservative treatments stop helping, it’s time for a candid discussion to consider surgery,” says Dr. Trott. “Many of my patients have told me that the tipping point for them is when the pain affects their normal, everyday life. It affects their ability to walk, sleep comfortably, enjoy leisure activities and work.”

There’s a misconception that a person’s age influences their ability to have a successful joint replacement surgery. Dr. Trott says that’s not always the case.

“I oftentimes rely on overall health and health conditions rather than age,” he says.

Each year, there are almost 800,000 knee replacements in the United States. There are up to 550,000 hip replacements annually. Whether it’s a partial or total joint replacement, or due to degenerative joints or injury, these procedures have helped many.

“Across the board, most people do well after joint replacement surgery. The success rates of these surgeries are quite high,” says Dr. Trott. “While there may be mild limitations, the vast majority of patients are generally happy with the results.”

Gage Trott, MD, is a board-certified, sports medicine trained orthopaedic surgeon. He delivers care at ProMedica Physicians Orthopaedic Surgery in Monroe, Mich. For more information, view his profile.