If you achieve 90 degrees by one week, and continue to push forward after this, you will end up with excellent range of motion of your knee replacement. Most of our patients end up with 120 to 125 degrees of flexion.
End of week 1: the goal is to reach at least 90° of knee flexion and be working towards full knee extension. Weeks 2-3: the goal is to achieve at least 100° knee flexion and full knee extension. Weeks 4-6: you should be approaching or have already achieved 110-120° of full knee flexion.
Much of the lack of knee flexion immediately after surgery is not only due to pain, but also knee swelling or edema in response to the surgery. Inside of your knee is a joint capsule that surrounds the entire joint, imagine this joint capsule is shaped like a balloon.
Knee stiffness and pain that can occur after a knee replacement may be because of scar tissue and collagen attaching to the knee implant.
Everyone's different, so it very much depends on your own situation. A typical case might be 50-60° on day one, 60-70° on day two, and 80-90° on day three. But there's no need to panic if you don't follow this pattern.
After knee replacement surgery, you can gradually resume normal activities and there are no permanent restrictions, as long as you stay within your comfort level and follow the guidance of your healthcare team.
The biggest challenge in the early recovery of a TKR (up to 3 months postoperative) is the regaining of knee motion.
Knee stiffness is a complication that may occur. Treatment options include aggressive physical therapy, manipulation under anesthesia, surgical removal of scar tissue, and revision knee replacement. Your surgeon will decide which treatment is best for your unique needs.
Those with a long-term stiff knee may need about 2 months to feel better. Shelbourne Knee Center discharges patients from the Knee Rehabilitation Program for OA after 2–4 months. But patients need to continue the daily exercises and strengthening at least 3 times a week.
You shouldn't downhill ski or play contact sports such as football and soccer. In general, avoid sports that require jerking, twisting, pulling, or running. You should be able to do lower-impact activities, such as hiking, gardening, swimming, playing tennis, and golfing.
Stiffness: knee stiffness is a common problem where there is a loss of end range flexion and/or extension, reducing knee range of motion. Impingement: where something gets stuck inside the joint and blocks movement e.g. meniscus tear. Muscle Tightness: tight muscles may limit how much the knee can bend or straighten.
A total knee replacement patient is typically looking at a one year recovery period for things to fully settle down. I should stress that doesn't mean you'll be living with constant pain for a year. But the occasional twinge or moment of discomfort could well last 12 months. Occasionally it could be two years.
Don't Overdo It
Although exercise is the key to healing, you could be backpedaling progress by overworking your knee.
It is important to avoid crossing your legs after knee replacement surgery as this can put undue stress on the new joint and cause pain. Instead, keep your legs slightly apart and avoid any activities that require crossing them for at least six weeks.
Can you sleep on your side after knee replacement surgery? You can, but it's wise not to do so until at least a few weeks after surgery, when you can start bending your knee. Make sure you lay on your non-operative side. Sleeping this way makes sure no pressure falls on the knee you had surgery on.
If you have arthritis in your knee, walking can be a great way to relieve pain, stiffness and swelling. Moving your legs at even a gentle pace allows the muscles to stretch, which can help reduce arthritic knee pain.
Inflammation and swelling: Walking increases blood flow to the tissues, which can help reduce knee inflammation and swelling. Joint stiffness and weakness: Low impact activity helps build muscle strength and joint mobility.
Knee stiffness and knee instability commonly occur in older adults and individuals who exercise vigorously. This can be caused by a lack of flexibility or muscular imbalances in the legs. Knee stiffness can also be caused by injury or arthritis.
Sometimes prolonged stiffness in the knee can be caused by surgical errors. If the knee implant used for a knee replacement is not properly placed or the wrong size of an implant is used, prolonged stiffness in the knee might occur.
Walking. Proper walking is the best way to help your knee recover. At first, you will walk with a walker or crutches. Your surgeon or therapist will tell you how much weight to put on your leg.
Summary. The inability to bend or straighten the knee may be the result of a true locked knee (in which torn knee cartilage becomes wedged in the joint) or a pseudo-locked knee (in which severe knee pain triggers a defensive reaction that impedes knee movement).
Recovery is slow
While it's different for everyone and depends on the type of knee surgery you've had, many people are surprised by how long it takes to recover. The time it takes to start doing simple tasks around the home, get back to work and importantly bending your new and improved knee may catch you by surprise.
You're not alone. Having an orthopedic surgery can leave you feeling tired for weeks or months after the procedure. Here's a list of 7 main causes of fatigue after surgery: surgical stress, blood loss, medications, pain after surgery, energy of healing, dietary changes, and sleep disturbance.