Dr. Dan Albright, Orthopedic Surgeon from Raleigh, North Carolina, discusses the precautions a patient must take after knee replacement surgery. Precautions are different for partial replacement and full replacement. Watch the video to find out the restrictions.
For a consultation with Dr. Dan Albright click here or call 919-863-6808.
Summary of video:
Dr. Dan Albright discusses the precautions you’ll need to take after knee replacement surgery.
Transcript of video:
There are two types of knee replacement surgeries: partial and total.
Recovery is simpler for partial knee replacements. There are no critical precautions after the surgery. Hip replacement surgery by contrast you worry about dislocations, but dislocation is not a problem with knee replacement surgery. So for partial knees you should walk as much as you can. Squatting can be a problem after a knee replacement, but other than that there are no restrictions.
Now for a total knee replacement the short term precautions after surgery are the same as a partial knee replacement – walking as much as you can tolerate and no squatting. Long term precautions: no running, no jumping. These actions will wear out your knee replacement much quicker. An artificial knee can last 20 years or more, but will only last 5 years if you do a lot of running and jumping. You can swim, bike, golf, hike, walk, elliptical trainer, low-impact things. Not basketball, not pounding and jumping. It’s just common sense, it’s an artificial joint.
These are durable, strong joints that are meant to last.
