| Knee replacement surgery is a life changing decision, | | | | commitment to staying active and following the |
| especially for athletes. There are many factors to | | | | physical therapy routine laid out by their doctor. |
| consider and questions to be answered. How much a | | | | Recovery time for a knee replacement can take as |
| titanium knee replacement weighs, recovery time for | | | | little as 90 days and full range of motion in the knee |
| double knee replacement, the resulting range of | | | | can be achieved with regular stretching and |
| motion, are all important considerations. Additionally, | | | | strengthening exercises. |
| the duration of stiffness after total knee | | | | A limiting factor to the stretching and mobility is the |
| replacement and other long term complications of | | | | duration of stiffness after total knee replacement |
| knee replacement are things to fully understand | | | | surgery. In the first 3 -7 days there is very little |
| before an informed decision can be reached. | | | | mobility in the joint and the muscles will not regain |
| Knowing what to expect after surgery contributes to | | | | their normal flexibility without consistent range of |
| much more positive results during recovery. It is this | | | | motion exercises. As noted previously, within 90 days |
| positive mindset combined with realistic expectations | | | | full mobility can be achieved, but without continued |
| that enables an athlete to have a quicker recovery | | | | attention, the muscles can stiffen up again. Long |
| and the possibility of returning to as many normal | | | | term care is vital to keeping the knee as healthy as |
| activities as possible. | | | | possible and limiting the duration of stiffness after |
| Of the many questions that arise, one that occurs to | | | | knee surgery. |
| and affects athletes more than the typical patient, is: | | | | An important question to ask the surgeon is: "What |
| "How much does a titanium knee replacement | | | | are the long term complications of knee |
| weigh?" While the good news is the entire prosthesis | | | | replacement?" While this will vary from patient to |
| weighs less than a pound, it does weigh more than | | | | patient and is influenced to a large degree by overall |
| the natural bone and cartilage. Along with regaining | | | | physical health, there are a few problems that may |
| the flexibility in the joint, strength training will be | | | | occur. Usually long term complications affect less than |
| needed to increase the muscle strength beyond | | | | 5% of knee replacements according to Dr. Mervyn J. |
| what was needed before surgery. The recovery | | | | Cross the director of AIMS (The Australian Institute |
| time after knee replacement to achieve the desired | | | | of Musculo-Skeletal Research) and Director of |
| results will be more intensive for a dedicated athlete. | | | | Orthopaedics for the 2000 Olympics. He lists post |
| Recovery time for a double knee replacement is | | | | surgical infection, blood clots, loosening of the joint, |
| different for well trained and motivated athletes. | | | | Haemarthrosis which is bleeding within the joint, and |
| According to the Mayo clinic, three to six weeks of | | | | nerve injury as some of the possibilities. |
| total rest is required before resuming normal, low | | | | While there have been great advances in medical |
| impact activities. It can take as much as a month to | | | | technology, a successful outcome is determined by |
| regain the range of motion needed to drive a car. | | | | the patient's attitude and willingness to do the |
| These limitations apply to the typical patient: over 65, | | | | necessary therapy. Based on their experience, many |
| mostly sedentary and experiencing arthritis in the | | | | doctors have somewhat low expectations for |
| joint. New advances in procedures and pain | | | | recovery and may not be very encouraging. It is up |
| management techniques have allowed patients to | | | | to the patient to find and follow an exercise program |
| climb stairs within a week of the knee replacement | | | | that has already shown proven results. Equally |
| surgery. With the proper motivation, commitment to | | | | important is finding a trainer or mentor who has a |
| exercise, and a can-do attitude even better results | | | | positive attitude toward recovery from knee surgery |
| can be obtained, according to researchers at Brown | | | | and who can teach any athlete the same mindset. |
| University. | | | | Believing it can be done and working with someone |
| Knee replacement range of motion is a major | | | | who has already achieved the desired results is the |
| concern for anyone wishing to continue their athletic | | | | key to returning to normal activities and remaining |
| pursuits. The deciding factor is the patients own | | | | free from pain. |