How will I recover following the operation?

Postoperative treatment plays a key role in the success of a knee prosthesis operation. With your active cooperation, you can help to achieve this goal as quickly as possible!

Question: Why are patients mobilised so quickly after the operation?: Nowadays, knee prosthesis operations are not followed by several weeks of bed rest. The importance of early mobilisation cannot be understated: it helps prevent complications such as thromboses and adhesions and accelerates the healing process.

The first few days after the operation

As soon as the first day after the operation, you will be mobilised by a physiotherapist. A so-called knee CPM device is used, on which the operated knee joint is thoroughly moved to an adjusted extent.

With assistance from the physiotherapist you soon learn what movements you can perform and how. The physiotherapist will practice with you every day how to manage normal daily movements such as getting up, sitting down, walking and climbing the stairs. Physiotherapy promotes muscle development, coordination and mobility.

Preventing thromboses

To prevent thromboses and embolisms, the patient must wear compression stockings or a bandage on the operated leg for six weeks. After this time, you will usually be able to subject your leg to normal loads again and will no longer require walking aids.

Rehabilitation

As a rule, your stay at hospital is followed by a rehabilitation period lasting several weeks. This can be either as an outpatient at your home or as an inpatient at a rehabilitation clinic.

Since in the majority of cases knee prosthesis operations are elective interventions, you can discuss the type and location of rehabilitation with your doctor either before or at the latest shortly after the operation. Your doctor will explain all the details to you and complete the relevant applications. It may be necessary to make enquiries with your health insurer. Even after the rehabilitation period is over, you should continue to regularly do the exercises you have learnt at home!

Follow-up examinations

After a knee prosthesis operation, you should go to your doctor at regular, fixed intervals for follow-up examinations. He will make a clinical assessment of the knee joint and arrange for an X-ray to be taken. He will therefore be able to recognise and treat any complications early on which may occur without you noticing. Your prosthesis pass will help you remember your appointments.

Question: Which movements should I avoid as the wearer of a knee endoprosthesis?: Since the muscles are not strong enough to adequately protect the joint from incorrect movements until 2 months after the operation, particular care should be taken in the first few weeks to avoid certain movements. Your physiotherapist will be able to explain this in detail and offer specific training.
In the long term too, certain movements should be avoided which could cause the prosthesis to become loose. In particular, these include
- squatting and kneeling down, when gardening for example;
- lifting and carrying heavy loads;
- crossing the legs whilst seated;
- raising the operated leg while stretched;
- sports where high loads are involved and there is a risk of falling.