Total Joint Replacements: What to Expect After Surgery

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson describes the process that many individuals experience following a total joint replacement such as a knee or hip replacement.

There are a lot of factors leading up to the decision of whether or not to undergo a total joint replacement, including a person’s age, pain level, severity of deficits caused by the arthritic changes, and overall quality of life. This is often a difficult choice as there never seems to be a good time to have surgery.

Before your surgery, you will meet with a surgeon to set a date for the procedure, undergo pre-operation testing, and possibly attend joint replacement classes. The completion of the surgery is often seen as the final destination; however, the surgery is just the start of your journey that will require a lot of hard work and dedication in rehabilitation to ensure that you reach your goals, one of which may be to improve your quality of life.

No two joint replacements are exactly alike, and the recovery process may vary. Sometimes recovery is smooth sailing with minimal barriers and other times it is slower and more painful.

Many factors affect a person’s surgical recovery, including:

• Overall health and activity level prior to the procedure
• The severity of deficits on the joint to be replaced and the surrounding area
• The ability to control pain and swelling following the operation
• Unexpected complications following the procedure

So, while it may be beneficial to talk to others who have undergone a joint replacement procedure, it is important to remember not to compare your recovery to theirs without knowing all of the factors that may be involved.  

Surgeons have their own protocols that they suggest their patients follow; however, here are some general things that you can expect after surgery:

• Time is always an important factor in healing, but it is often the most frustrating. We all want to be better yesterday and not tomorrow, but there is a natural process that we must go through in order to heal.
• There is very little that we can do to speed up the healing process, but there is a lot that we can do to slow it down. It is very important to follow guidelines from your surgeon and therapist.
• While admitted to the hospital or outpatient center after surgery, you will receive therapy and exercise program instructions to continue after discharge.
• Typically, it is recommended that you begin outpatient physical therapy within a few days after returning home in order to fully regain range of motion, strength, and mobility.
• In some cases, you may have a therapist come to your home to help with your mobility needs and guide you through an exercise program to increase strength and endurance until you are ready to begin an outpatient program.

Now that you are aware of some things to expect following surgery, here are some guidelines for returning to activity:

Driving: This is dependent upon your use of medication for pain management and having enough range of motion and strength to drive. You should not resume driving before being cleared to do so by your surgeon.

Exercise: Immediately after surgery, it is helpful to begin a daily exercise program. Early mobility is encouraged after all joint replacements and walking is one of the best exercises. It is important to continue an exercise program involving both strength and cardiovascular training for at least 3-4 months following surgery to ensure that you achieve your maximum functional outcome.  

Recreational activities: Likely, one of your main goals following a joint replacement is to return to all of your normal activities. More sedentary activities can be resumed 1-2 weeks after surgery and within 3-6 months, you will likely be able to resume all of your activities. Low-impact activities such as biking, dancing, walking, swimming, golf, and pickleball will help you continue to strengthen your muscles and protect your new joint. High-impact activities, however, such as running and jumping, or activities that require pivoting on the joint such as racquetball, basketball, or soccer, can damage or decrease the life of the new joint.

Work: Returning to work is highly dependent on the demands of your job. Typically, the more sedentary your work requirements, the sooner you can return to work. Jobs that require prolonged standing or walking and heavy lifting require a longer recovery time. Remember, returning to work is not a substitute for performing your exercises. It is important to continue your prescribed exercise program even if you are back at work.

The journey following a total joint replacement can seem long and there may be bumps along the way; however, your therapy and medical teams will help guide you through your recovery. Hard work and perseverance will allow you to arrive at the end your journey with maximal functional recovery.

If you or a loved one are planning a joint replacement, Sheltering Arms Institute can help. Visit www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com/contact-us or call (804) 764-1000 to make an appointment.