| Many patients are eager to know when they can | | | | requirements. Patients with physically demanding jobs |
| return to work and resume their normal activities | | | | are often out of work for three to six months. |
| after knee replacement surgery. While the desire for | | | | Patients who hold desk jobs or administrative |
| a speedy recovery is nearly universal among patients, | | | | positions may return to work within six weeks, but |
| less understood and appreciated is the value of | | | | this is the minimum. Going back to work too soon |
| recovery time itself. Provided a patient's recovery is | | | | hinders long term recovery. Your pain needs to be at |
| uncomplicated, patients can return to office or similar | | | | a manageable level and you should be able to get |
| light work at six weeks. Return to work should be | | | | around independently. Under these criteria, most |
| phased, however, with three half-days in the first | | | | patients are able to return to work within the one to |
| week, two full days in the second week, five | | | | two month period. |
| half-days in the third week, and full-time by week | | | | Here is what some of the patients at the |
| four. | | | | BoneSmart.org knee replacement forum are saying |
| Recovery from knee replacement surgery takes a | | | | about their recoveries: |
| minimum of three months, but most likely six. A full | | | | "5 weeks post TKR today and things going very well. |
| recovery can take around eight to ten months. The | | | | Walking without crutches or cane, driving again |
| degree of improvement during rehabilitation often | | | | (although 30 mins is about as much as I can do at |
| depends on the strength of your body before | | | | the moment). ROM Aproaching 120 degrees. The |
| surgery, your body weight, and your ability to | | | | exercise bike is fantastic . . . I would have been lost |
| manage pain. Other variables that factor into | | | | without it. Doing 2 X 30 mins sessions a day on it and |
| recovery time include the type of surgery and the | | | | lowering the saddle height about every 4 -5 days. |
| age of the patient. | | | | Really feel much stronger so back to work on the |
| If you want to return to work as soon as possible, | | | | 23rd . . Thank God!" |
| recognize physical therapy as your number one aim. | | | | "With having both knees replaced at the same time, |
| The exercises that are given to you by a post-op | | | | the legs recovered equally and in a reasonable |
| specialist will help lay the foundation for a successful | | | | amount of time. I was back 9 weeks post op from |
| and speedy recovery. You will still find yourself with | | | | BTKR, working full time on my own (without the help |
| lots of downtime, but it is important to give your | | | | of another person) caring for 6 preschool children. I |
| body the rest it needs. Within a few weeks, most | | | | operate a licensed family child-care in my home. I did |
| patients can resume their normal daily activities. | | | | have 9 children (6 preschool age children and 3 school |
| Driving is often a question among patients who | | | | age children) enrolled 12 days post op with the help |
| undergo knee replacement surgery. Because every | | | | of one of the parents who is a teacher and was off |
| individual will recover at a different rate, it is hard to | | | | for the summer months. She stayed with me for 7 |
| pinpoint the exact time before you will be able to use | | | | weeks during the summer running my business as I |
| a vehicle. To drive again, you must have regained | | | | rested and did PT and rode my stationary bike." |
| your normal strength and reflexes and you can no | | | | In cases of extreme pain or stiffness, patients may |
| longer be on narcotics or other pain medications. A | | | | want to delay return to full time work. Rehabilitation, |
| good rule of thumb is to ask your doctor when you | | | | recovery, and return to work should not be rushed, |
| should be able to drive. Most doctors recommend | | | | but instead done in accordance with a doctor's or |
| about six weeks. | | | | post-op specialist's instructions. |
| Your ability to return to work depends on your job | | | | |