The ‘New Knee’

It is normal to feel some numbness in the skin around the incision. You may also feel some stiffness, particularly with excessive bending activities. Improvement of knee motion is a goal of total knee replacement, but restoration of full motion is uncommon. The motion of your knee replacement after surgery depends on the motion of your knee prior to surgery. Most patients can expect to nearly fully straighten the replaced knee and to bend the knee sufficiently to go up and down stairs and get in and out of a car. Kneeling is sometimes uncomfortable, but it is not harmful. Occasionally, you may feel some soft clicking of the metal and plastic with knee bending or walking. These differences often diminish with time. Your new knee may activate metal detectors required for security in airports and some buildings.

After surgery, make sure you do the following:

• Participate in regular light exercise programs to maintain proper strength and mobility of your new knee.
• Take precautions to avoid falls and injuries. Individuals who have undergone total knee replacement surgery and suffer a fracture may require more surgery.
• Notify your dentist that you had a knee replacement. You should be given antibiotics before all dental procedures.
• See your orthopedic surgeon periodically for a routine follow-up examination and X-rays. Usually for two years, and then every two or three years, to monitor for wear of the prosthesis at your surgeon’s discretion.

 

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