Three weeks after total knee replacement, you can typically walk for 10 minutes or more, potentially without a walker or cane, focusing on short, regular walks to build strength, but always listen to your body to avoid pain and swelling, gradually increasing distance as advised by your physical therapist. OrthoBethesda +3
Not walking after surgery can cause muscle weakness and joint stiffness. It can also lead to blood clots and deep vein thrombosis. Poor circulation and lung problems are also risks. Delayed healing and slower recovery are possible.
In most cases, patients can walk without help from assistive devices like crutches or a walker within six weeks after knee replacement surgery. That said, physical therapy continues after this time to help your knee and the surrounding muscles grow stronger and more flexible.
It's generally safe to start using an elliptical around 12 weeks post-surgery, but always check with your therapist first. Treadmill: Walking on a treadmill can be beneficial, but it's essential to start slow. Use a flat incline initially and gradually increase the duration and speed as your knee gets stronger.
Aside from physiotherapy exercises, walking is one of the most important activities you can do following a knee replacement. It increases mobility while strengthening the muscles around the new joint. Initially, you'll likely be given walking aids to help you, but after a week or so, you should be able to walk unaided.
Walking is generally considered a beneficial activity for individuals with knee replacements as it helps improve joint mobility, strength, and overall function. However, it is possible to overdo it and potentially cause damage to your knee replacement if you engage in excessive or high-impact activities.
Your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend that you exercise for 20 to 30 minutes daily, or even 2 to 3 times daily; and walk for 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times daily during your early recovery.
Touchdown or Toe-Touch Weight-Bearing: Only the toes can lightly touch the ground, akin to having a feather resting on the foot. The aim is not to bear weight but to maintain balance. Partial Weight-Bearing (PWB): A fraction of the body's weight (e.g., 20% or 50%) can be put on the affected limb.
It's important not to overextend yourself during the recovery process. If you experience persistent or increased knee pain, discomfort or swelling while doing any physical activity, it's best to ease off and seek medical advice. Walking is a relatively safe and accessible exercise during your recovery period.
After a TKA, you can expect approximately six to 10 weeks of Physical Therapy visits, usually two to three times per week.
Swelling of the knee and leg are normal after a total knee replacement. There are some things that you can do, however, to minimize this problem. Ice the knee frequently for the first two to three weeks after surgery. It is particularly helpful to ice after you have done your exercises or been on your feet for a while.
Walking is an effective low-impact workout, whether you're outside or on a treadmill. Treadmill and outdoor walking offer similar health benefits when the effort is the same. Two 15-minute walks can be just as effective as one 30-minute walk. Walking longer may be better than running shorter for many people.
Typical active recovery activities include walking, swimming, cycling, jogging, yoga, or active stretching (Ortiz et al. 2018). The key is to find an activity that's low-intensity and keeps your heart rate at 30-60% of your maximum heart rate.
When you return home after surgery, break up daily walks into shorter walks. Your goal is to walk 30 minutes a day. Increase your walking speed and time as you are able. You may want to create a daily walking schedule.
You may have been told you that you will be non-weight bearing on your operated leg after your surgery. This means you will have to hop on your good leg, with your operated leg not touching the floor. The time you will be non-weight bearing varies, but is usually for 2 weeks.
Physicians routinely prescribe partial weight bearing in a walking boot following fractures of the lower limbs in order to produce the needed mechanical environment to facilitate healing.
Weight-Bearing/Low Impact Activities: Walking. Treadmill walking. Cross-country ski machines.
Doing too much too soon is a common workout mistake. And it's a recipe for injuries and overtraining. Start with shorter walks at a slower pace, and slowly increase your distance and intensity as you get fitter.
Note: Side sleeping is usually an option several weeks into recovery, not immediately after surgery. Always check with your physical therapist or surgeon before trying this position.
As the weeks go by you should notice your pain lessens and your range of movement improves. By the second or third week after surgery, you may be able to get around with just a walking stick or nothing at all. During this period, you may experience swelling and discomfort. This should gradually improve.
The gym offers many options to help strengthen your legs after a knee replacement. Stick to machines like the stationary bike and leg press, while avoiding activities like jumping or running, which can put too much stress on your joint.
It's low-impact, easy on the joints, and can be done almost anywhere. But, can walking too much lead to knee pain? The answer is yes. Excessive walking can lead to overuse injuries such as runner's knee, IT band syndrome, and osteoarthritis which can cause pain, discomfort, and even long-term damage to the knee joint.
Non-operative treatments can include activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications, and knee joint injections. Surgeons have performed knee replacements for over three decades generally with excellent results; most reports have ten-year success rates in excess of 90 percent.