Total Knee Replacement (Knee Arthroplasty)

Modern knee implants are highly durable. For roughly 85% to 90% of patients, a total knee replacement functions well for 15 to 20 years, and often much longer, depending on the patient's activity level and weight.

Most patients begin walking with a walker within 24 hours of surgery.

Patients are usually encouraged to stand and walk (with a walker or crutches) the same day or the day after surgery. Basic daily activities are generally resumed within 3 to 6 weeks. It can take 3 to 6 months to achieve a full recovery and return to optimal strength and endurance.

You will be under anesthesia during the procedure (either general or spinal). Post-operative pain is expected but is aggressively managed with a combination of oral medications, nerve blocks, and sometimes localized pain pumps. Pain significantly decreases over the first few weeks as the knee heals.

While you can return to many activities like walking, swimming, golfing, and cycling, high-impact activities that put excessive stress on the new joint—such as jogging, jumping, or contact sports—are strongly discouraged to prevent premature wear or loosening of the implant.

Most patients can resume driving 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, provided they are no longer taking narcotic pain medications and have regained sufficient muscle control and reflex time to safely operate the pedals (especially if the right knee was replaced).