{"id":1903,"date":"2018-10-09T10:00:59","date_gmt":"2018-10-09T10:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happy-hospitals.com\/blog\/?p=1903"},"modified":"2019-01-30T05:53:44","modified_gmt":"2019-01-30T05:53:44","slug":"recovering-from-knee-replacement-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happy-hospitals.com\/blog\/recovering-from-knee-replacement-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Recovering From Knee Replacement Surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\nMore and more people are having knee replacement surgery to relieve knee pain. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 500,000 total knee replacement surgeries are performed in the United States each year, usually because of severe arthritis. That\u2019s why Terri Hartman, age 62, chose to have knee replacement surgery last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI could hardly walk without knee pain due my osteoarthritis,\u201d says Hartman, who lives in St. Petersburg, Fla. Now she\u2019s able to get around without a hint of knee pain. But recovery from surgery wasn\u2019t exactly a walk in the park. \u201cComplete recovery from the knee replacement surgery took three months of rehab and focusing on my knee,\u201d says Hartman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing what to expect and planning ahead can make recovering from the surgery easier. Use this guide to prepare for post-surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Surgery for Knee Pain: What You Can Expect at the Hospital<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Expect to stay in the hospital for three to five days. Knee movement is important for recovery and will begin immediately after the surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many patients will have a device called a continuous passive motion (CPM) exercise machine placed on the artificial knee within a few hours after surgery. The device automatically moves the muscles of the legs to decrease swelling and improve range of motion of the knee. You can begin exercising your knee on your own soon after surgery. \u201cMost people are able to put weight on the knee and walk down the hall with the aid of a walker the first day,\u201d says Steven Stuchin, MD, director of orthopedic surgery at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. A physical therapist will typically visit you the day after surgery to teach you specific exercises to strengthen your knee muscles and improve your range of motion. You can do many of these exercises on your own at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Surgery for Knee Pain: What You Can Expect at Home<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Most knee replacement patients need a walker to get around for about two weeks, and a cane for two weeks following that. After a month, you should be able to get around without walking aids. Making your home recovery-friendly ahead of time can be very helpful. To prepare your home and ease your life after surgery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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