Total Knee replacement(TKR) operation is done with a spinal anaesthetic, supplemented by a sedative so you are asleep, but wake up quickly, clear headed, and with pain controlled. Special operating room conditions, precautions and prophylactic anti-biotics are among procedures used to make your operation safe and uncomplicated.

After the operation a special oral pain control protocol with tablets, is used, to minimise pain, but keep you alert and not nauseated. Supplementary stronger pain-killers are available when required. Ice is used to reduce pain and swelling in the knee, special stockings and foot pumps are used to stop DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). A Drain tube is in place and blood drainage may be filtered and re-infused from this if necessary. Physiotherapy begins next day with breathing and leg excercises, you can get out of bed then and sit , and begin walking with supervision 2-3 days after operation. You are able to shower and use the lavatory one or two days after operation.

Our physiotherapy department supervise recovery of muscle power, knee flexion range, and progressive mobilisation, firstly with a frame and then progressing to crutches. Once you are making satisfactory progress, requiring minimal analgesia, and are independent with  personal activities, transfer home or to a rehabilitation unit occurs. If you have good support at home, then discharge home is preferred, with outpatient visits for your physiotherapy to our clinic therapists. You will be able to travel by car by 2 weeks,, but not drive for 6 weeks( depending which knee has been replaced). You will be able to progress to one crutch or a stick by 4 to 6 weeks from operation.

Follow up appointments are made at 2 weeks for removal of sutures, and supervision of physiotherapy progress, and at 6 weeks. You should be returning to most usual daily activities between 6 and 12 weeks from operation, however, knee swelling may continue for some months. No treatment is usually needed and it subsides sponteneously, and should not be a great concern.

Regular later follow up is reccommended, because knee replacements, like any mechanical device, may give troubles. If you develop any symptoms relating to your TKR, you should contact your surgeon promptly to check this. Re-examination, and X-ray review is done 1 year from operation, then about 5 and 10 years post-operatively, and more frequently after that time, depending on knee function, and X-ray appearances. Everybody, and every operation will be a little different, so this information serves only as a guide for you on progress after a TKR.

Dental Work or Other Surgery: If have dental work, or any other surgery, even minor, let your dentist or surgeon know about your TKR prosthesis. You will need to take prophylactic anti-biotics prior to and after the procedure to reduce the risk of an infection around the prostheseis.  Such infections may be devastating, requiring removal of the prosthesis.