If you’re considering total or partial knee replacement surgery after being diagnosed with severe knee problems, you could be worried about what you can expect after surgery. But recovery time after total knee replacement surgery varies significantly from patient to patient, and several factors affect the length of your recovery. The length of the recovery is also affected by how well you follow the postoperative care instructions provided by your doctor.
In this article, we’ll look at some factors that can affect recovery time after total and partial knee replacement surgery. First, we will cover a few basics about each surgery and what to expect after surgery in each case. Then, we will mention some recommendations that are the same after total and partial knee replacement surgery.
Recovery time of total knee replacement surgery
Total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the most common surgeries done in the United States. It replaces the damaged or worn-out parts of the knee joint, allowing the patient to walk and live without knee pain.
The success rate of the surgery varies depending on many factors, including the patient’s age, weight, and knee condition. The success rate is also determined by the type of knee prosthesis used. So, the following factors can affect your recovery time after total knee replacement surgery:
- The type of TKR that is used: More sophisticated surgeries are usually required for very extensive damage. Thus, these patients may need a recovery time.
- The surgical approach to the knee: Minimally invasive procedures are associated with shorter recovery times than traditional approaches.
- Other factors: There are plenty of additional factors, for example, the amount of scar tissue that remains after surgery, whether a drain is used, how well the patient can use the knee before surgery, the overall health of the patient, and the patient’s age, weight, and overall physical condition.
Still, in most cases, the recovery time after total knee replacement surgery is 6-8 weeks. Many patients feel much better in less than six weeks, while others take more than eight weeks to recover, especially if they experience complications. To speed up your recovery, physical therapy and exercises will be prescribed.
Physical therapy is almost the same as total and partial knee replacement surgery. Thus, we will cover that aspect of your recovery later in this article.