Knee replacement surgery is usually the last option in dealing with problems of osteoarthritis. Symptoms like swelling and agonizing pain do merit a knee replacement surgery. This surgery eliminates the joint lining which is damaged. This is then replaced with metal and plastic implants which functions just like a normal knee. Before discussing the recovery time for knee replacement surgery, it is important to know first the two types of knee replacement surgeries. The two types are partial knee replacement and total knee replacement. Read further on for details.
Partial Knee Replacement. Also known as Unicompartmental Arthroplasty is a procedure that involves the elimination of only the damage areas in the knees instead of removing the whole cartilage. It also involves smaller cuts thus less blood loss. This is a good option for those who are suffering from osteoarthritis. Besides partial knee replacement is an advantage to patients since it is less invasive thus requires less days in the hospitals which means less cost too (The Knee 2009).
Total Knee Replacement. This procedure involves removing the whole knee cartilage and replaced with a plastic or metal. This is usually suggested for patients who suffer from severe osteoarthritis. This is the last option in treating extreme inflammation and pain one feels in the knees.
Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery Time
Recovery time for knee replacement surgery depends on several factors like the kind of knee replacement surgery you are undergoing, how prepared are you physically and mentally and how religious are you to follow your physiotherapy.
Hospital Recovery. Generally patient will have to stay in the hospital for about three to five days. For partial knee replacement surgery, stay in the hospital may be shortened. If the patient can already bear the weight then they are now allowed to walk using a walker for a couple of days.
Home Recovery. The home is where you spend most of your times recovering which could mean several weeks after you are release from the hospital. First stage of rehabilitation at home starts off with your Physiotherapy and strength building exercise for about three to six weeks. After that you can go back to your routine activities gradually. After you are use to your regular activities, you try driving but that really depends on how much you can bend your knees. The total time of recovery assuming there are no complications is about two to three months.