Knee Joint Replacement
Alternate Names : Knee Arthroplasty, Total Knee Replacement
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Knee Joint Replacement: Convalescence & Recovery
The hospital stay generally lasts 4-5 days, but the total recovery period varies from 2-3 months to a year. Walking and range-of-motion exercises will be started immediately after surgery. Some surgeons recommend using a machine that will bend the knee for the patient in bed.
Some patients require a short stay in a rehabilitation hospital to become safely independent in their activities of daily living. It may be necessary to use crutches or a walker for a few weeks or even months after surgery.
The physical therapy initiated in the hospital will continue after discharge until your strength and motion return. Contact sports should generally be avoided, but low impact activities, such as swimming and golf, are usually possible after full recovery from surgery.
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