Knee Replacement Recovery

A traditional Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery (arthroplasty) involves replacing a damaged, worn or diseased knee with an artificial joint.

It's a routine operation for knee pain. Due to the significant trauma of the surgery alternatives can now be performed including resurfacing and a hemi (half) replacement. Conservative management by physiotherapists can prevent or delay the need for knee replacement. This type of surgery is generally conducted to relieve arthritic pain when physiotherapy has limited effect or to fix severe joint damage as part of knee fracture treatment.

Patient satisfaction, short and long term, varies widely. Once the TKR procedure is complete you are given some support to get up on your feet, to the toilet, to go up and down stairs, and to get home again. We often find that people need additional help to recover to a point that they are happy with the replacement and maintain their mobility / balance / strength.