"Will I be able to walk? How long will I be in bed? Will it hurt?" These are the questions every patient and family asks before a knee replacement. Here is what actually happens.
Before surgery
About a week before the operation you will have:
- Blood tests, ECG, chest X-ray and, if needed, an echo of the heart
- A check-up by a physician to control sugar and blood pressure
- A meeting with the physiotherapist to learn the first exercises
Stop blood-thinners only if your doctor tells you to, and get any dental infection treated first.
The day of surgery
You are admitted in the morning, fasting. The operation is done under spinal anaesthesia — the lower half of the body is numb, you breathe on your own, and many patients choose to sleep through it with light sedation. A nerve block around the knee keeps pain under control for the first day.
The surgery itself takes about 1½ hours per knee. The worn surfaces are removed and replaced with metal and a special plastic that act as the new, smooth joint.
Day 1: standing up
This surprises most people. Within 24 hours you stand and walk a few steps with a walker, supported by the physiotherapist. Early walking reduces the risk of clots, chest infection and stiffness.
Days 2–4: going home
You practise walking to the toilet, bending the knee and climbing a few steps. When you can do these safely, usually by day 3 or 4, you go home with:
- Medicines for pain and to prevent clots
- A written home exercise programme
- A date for stitch removal (around day 14)
The first six weeks
| Week | What you can expect |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Walker, ice packs, exercises 3 times a day |
| 3–4 | Walking stick; short walks inside the house |
| 5–6 | Walking without support; stairs one at a time |
Swelling and warmth around the knee are normal for up to three months.
Life after knee replacement
By three months, most patients walk comfortably, climb stairs, travel and enjoy daily life without arthritis pain. A modern knee replacement lasts 20 years or more in most people.
Choosing the right time matters. If knee pain is stopping you from walking to the market or sleeping at night, it is time to talk about it.
