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Frequently Asked Questions

This page provides a brief overview of knee replacement. It can help you make a list of questions to ask your doctor, but it is not meant to provide complete information. Check with your doctor’s office about more comprehensive resources and patient education materials.

What to expect from knee replacement surgery

What can I expect after knee replacement surgery?
How soon can I return to normal activities after surgery?
What about sex?
Will my knee replacement set off a metal detector?
How long will my knee replacement last?

What can I expect after knee replacement surgery?

When you are back in your hospital room, you will begin a rehabilitation program that will help you regain strength, balance, and range of movement in your knee. This program will be designed specifically for you. It may include a machine called a continuous passive motion machine that automatically moves your leg to help reduce stiffness.

Your physical therapist will help you perform appropriate exercises. You will be discharged as soon as your surgeon has determined that you have recovered sufficiently. Your bandages and sutures will usually be removed before you leave the hospital. At home, you will need to continue your exercises. Your physical therapist will instruct you about proper home care and may continue to work with you.

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How soon can I return to normal activities after surgery?

In most cases, successful joint replacement surgery will relieve your pain and stiffness and allow you to resume many of your normal daily activities within a few weeks. But even after you have fully recovered from your surgery, you will still have some restrictions. Normal daily activities do not include contact sports or activities that put excessive strain on your joints. Although your artificial joint can be replaced, a second implant is seldom as effective as the first.

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What about sex?

Doctors generally allow their patients to resume sexual activities as soon as they feel able. In the months following surgery, you will probably be advised to take it easy and modify your positioning to keep pressure off of your knee while it’s healing. As always, it is best to consult with your doctor about what’s safe for your particular condition.

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Will my knee replacement set off a metal detector?

Since knee implants are made of metal, there’s a chance they could set off metal detectors.  People have reported mixed experiences at airports: some detectors go off and some don’t. Your doctor can give you a special card to keep in your wallet explaining that you have a knee implant.

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How long will my knee replacement last?

Longevity of a knee implant varies from person to person. It depends on many factors, such as your physical condition, activity level, and weight, as well as the accuracy of implant placement during surgery. It is useful to keep in mind that prosthetic joints are not as strong or durable as natural, healthy joints, and there is no guarantee that a prosthetic joint will last the rest of your life.

Today, total knee replacement has become a common and predictable procedure. Many people enjoy improved function and relief from pain, compared with their status before surgery. As a result, some people may have unrealistic expectations about what the prosthetic knee can do and how much activity it can withstand. As with any mechanical joint, the knee components move against each other. Natural fluid in the joint space helps to lubricate the implants just as it lubricates the bones and cartilage in a natural joint. Still, the prosthetic components do wear as they roll and slide against each other during movement. As with car tires or brake pads, the rate of wear depends partly on how the knee joint is used. Activities that place a lot of stress on the joint implants, as may be the case with heavier and more active patients, may reduce the life of the prosthesis. Implant loosening and wear on the plastic portions of the implant can lead to the necessity for revision surgery to replace the worn components. Your doctor will be in the best position to discuss these issues with you.

Talk with your doctor about how the following points might affect the longevity and success of your knee replacement:

• Avoiding repetitive heavy lifting
• Avoiding excessive stair climbing
• Maintaining an appropriate weight
• Staying healthy and active
• Avoiding “impact loading” sports such as jogging, downhill skiing, and high-impact aerobics
• Consulting your surgeon before beginning any new sport or activity
• Thinking before you move
• Avoiding any physical activities involving quick stop-start motion, twisting, or impact stresses
• Avoiding excessive bending when weight bearing, like climbing steep stairs
• Not lifting or pushing heavy objects
• Not kneeling
• Avoiding low seating surfaces and chairs

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