Walk with ease
A knee replacement can take the pain out of walking. When you're ready to take the next step, here's what to expect.
By Polly Turner
If you are hobbled by injury or arthritis of the knee, you may be a candidate for a total knee replacement. This procedure has helped countless people regain full, pain-free mobility - and a new lease on life. It's important to understand, however, that only half of any success you see may be credited to the surgery itself; the other half will be due to your own efforts, says Heather Carpenter, a physical therapist at UVa-HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, part of the University of Virginia Health System.
"Patient participation is key," Carpenter says. "If you do not do your post-surgery exercises, especially in the early stages, your muscles will get stiff and scar tissue will develop, making it hard to bend your knee."
Stick to the Plan
Knowing what to expect after surgery is an important step in ensuring you get the most out of your new knee. Discomfort early on is an investment in a pain-free future, Carpenter notes.
"If you can set a goal and stick to it, you're likely to do well," she says. "I had a patient who loved gardening, but her knees had gotten so bad she was using a cane and had to give up her job leading garden tours. After surgery and rehabilitation, she was able to resume the recreational activity she loved." Doctors and physical therapists at UVa work closely with patients to tailor recovery, adjusting medication and exercise regimens to ensure the best possible results.
Make It Last
The other key to a successful - and long-lasting - knee replacement, says Khaled Saleh, M.D., a UVa orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement, is getting one that fits your body type (see "Find the Perfect Fit"). It's also important to follow exactly the exercise plan that an experienced doctor or physical therapist prescribes for you.
"It's critical that you work with a surgeon who will help you optimize the function of your knee so you can walk and move with a normal range of motion," Saleh says.
Once you've healed from the surgery, expect to enjoy walking, swimming, stationary cycling or low-impact sports. You may also be advised to work with a personal trainer on a tailored exercise program. "The best activities are anything that strengthens the muscles around the knee," Saleh explains.
Adds Carpenter, "Muscle strength helps disperse the force that goes through your joint. The stronger you are, the longer your knee replacement will last." Regular exercise plus a healthy eating plan can also help in weight control - and put less stress on your new knee.
For optimal results, continue a general strength program in the years ahead. And have patience; "For every day you have arthritis, you need two days of rehabilitation," Saleh says. "Sometimes, it takes a year or two before your knee lets you fully enjoy all the bending and forces that it takes to do daily activities."
"Most important," Mihalko stresses, "the surgeon you choose should be doing a large number of these procedures each year (well more than 50), have an excellent track record, and be board certified. UVa surgeons meet all these qualities."
See other important quality indicators, like support services, available at UVA to ensure a successful total knee replacement.
This article appeared in the winter 2007 issue of Vim & Vigor, a family health magazine sponsored by UVA Health System. If you don't already receive it at home, sign up today. It's free.