There are a few physical differences between your new knee and your old knee. For one thing, you may feel a little numbness and stiffness around your new knee. Excessive bending may tend to increase the stiffness. Your new knee may not have quite the ROM (range of motion) your old knee had. Nonetheless, you are sure to find your new knee is an improvement over your old knee.
You may find kneeling difficult, but rest assured, kneeling will not hurt your new knee. You may also hear a bit of quiet clicking from time to time. This is caused by the flexion of the metal and plastic as you walk and bend. This will lessen as time passes. Most patients have no problem adjusting to it. Surely they find it less distressing than the pain and restricted activities they suffered with their old knee.
You will probably be about as active after your surgery as before, and your ability to move will be about the same. You should be able to straighten your knee as needed and bend it well enough to climb stairs and get in and out of your car.
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Metal detectors may sound when you try to enter federal buildings and the airport. Be sure to let the security guards know about your new knee so there wont be any misunderstandings.
Here are some steps to follow after your surgery:
Dont get injured or fall. A fracture following surgery will lead to more surgery.
Trust your orthopedist. He or she is also a medical doctor. Therefore, a lot of training backs up his or her diagnosis and treatment plan. Your orthopedist is familiar with the musculoskeletal system (bones, nerves, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons) and fully capable of determining both surgical and non-surgical treatments.
Anytime you have dental work done, be sure to inform your dentist about your knee replacement. You will need to take preventative antibiotics to avoid infection. This will be a lifelong necessity.
Participate in light exercise regularly from now on. This will keep your new knee strong and flexible.
Visit your orthopedic surgeon every year. He or she will want to follow up with x-rays and an annual examination.
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, arthroscopic surgeon and torn ACL surgery.
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