Knee replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, is a procedure where damaged bone and cartilage in the knee are replaced with metal and plastic parts, which helps reduce discomfort and improve movement for people with severe knee problems.
The most common reasons people need knee replacement surgery are:
While most knee replacements are done for people between 50 and 80, younger people with knee joint issues may also be candidates for the surgery.
Knee replacement surgery can be done in two ways: total knee replacement or partial knee replacement.
Depending on your situation and preference, your surgeon may use robotic technology that can offer personalized fit and placement of your artificial joint.
Your surgeon may require you to have a physical exam from your primary care provider to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery. You may also need certain tests, such as an electrocardiogram to check heart function and blood and urine tests to check for infection and other conditions.
Your provider may recommend working with your primary care provider or specialist to manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, to help ensure you’re healthy enough for surgery.
You will also need to plan for your recovery. You might have difficulty getting around as you heal, and making modifications to your home in advance can help. This might include:
If necessary, a social worker can talk to you about whether you need inpatient rehab after surgery. Inpatient rehab may offer extra assistance if you live alone.
Recovery from knee replacement usually takes about a year, but most people can get back to everyday activities within six weeks. How long it takes to recover depends on your activity level, age and overall health.
Here are some general tips to help with your recovery:
Most people can drive again around four to six weeks after surgery, once your knee can bend enough to get in and out of the car comfortably and your muscles are strong enough to brake safely and accelerate.
Knee replacement surgery usually brings pain relief, better movement and an improved quality of life. After fully recovering, you can enjoy walking, swimming, golfing and biking. However, you may want to avoid high-impact activities like jogging or contact sports. Be sure to talk with your healthcare team about safe ways to stay active after surgery.
If you have surgery at Baylor Scott & White, the Total Knee and Hip Care Companion is a digital resource within the MyBSWHealth app that connects you to your surgeon and care team. If preferred, a loved one can serve as your proxy through Family Account Management. The Total Knee and Hip Care Companion provides pre and postsurgical tasks, records your recovery progress and keeps your healthcare team informed of your success, so you can feel confident healing at home.
Care Companion is available through most orthopedic surgeons on the medical staff. Check with your doctor’s office about service availability.
Like any surgery, knee replacement surgery comes with some risks. Possible complications include:
In some cases, the knee joint may not work as expected, or it may need to be replaced again in the future. There’s also a chance that nerves or blood vessels near the surgery site could be injured, leading to weakness or numbness. In rare cases, the surgery may not fully relieve the joint pain.
Other risks may depend on your health condition. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have before the procedure.
