What to Expect During the First Month of Joint Replacement Recovery

Joint replacement surgery is a major procedure that can have a huge impact on your life. It can also be intimidating, as it’s difficult to know what to expect during the recovery process. Just know that there is an over 90 percent success rate for knee and hip replacements – two of the most common procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons. Since the surgery can be performed using a minimally invasive technique, patients are having a shorter and more comfortable recovery from these procedures.

Here’s an overview of what you can expect during the first month after undergoing a joint replacement.

Immediately After Surgery

Some patients can go home on the day of the surgery. This is more common for knee replacement, shoulder replacement, and elbow replacement patients. However, hip replacement patients may need a hospital stay. It really depends on the condition of the patient before surgery and whether there are complications during surgery.

Physical therapy starts as soon as you wake up from the anesthesia. A physical therapist will visit you, have you perform passive exercises, and teach you how to move safely with the use of assistive devices. There are physical therapy exercises that you should continue even while at home, which will help you regain strength and mobility in your new joint.

Pain management is also important at this stage. Your doctor will prescribe medications that will help you manage the pain during recovery.

Going Home After Surgery

Knee replacement patients and hip replacement patients should be able to walk immediately after surgery with assistance. Elbow and shoulder replacement patients will be wearing a soft splint, while shoulder replacement patients will have their arms in a splint.

For many patients, moving a new joint using a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine is important to prevent stiffness and scar tissue build-up. However, you should still plan on taking things slowly at first and keep your recovery area on the first floor of your home. For hip and knee replacement patients, avoid stairs and get plenty of rest.

Regardless of the surgery type, you are going to need assistance, especially during the first week. Errands, meal-planning, and other household chores need to be arranged with loved ones beforehand. Showering or dressing can be challenging, so make sure you have assistive devices in your bathroom and bedroom for a more comfortable recovery. This goes for all joint replacement patients.

Return to Work and Mobility

After two weeks, many patients start feeling stronger and less fatigued than they did immediately following surgery. Some stiffness and soreness may still be present at this point due to swelling around the joint area. This should improve greatly six weeks after surgery. Patients with light desk jobs are usually able to return to work after two weeks, while people with more physically demanding jobs that require heavy use of their new joint may need to wait until 8 to 12 weeks have passed. Shoulder replacement patients should avoid certain arm movements and not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds until their doctor has cleared it.

Most hip and knee joint replacement patients are able to walk without assistance three to six weeks after surgery. Most joint replacement patients can drive four weeks after surgery. After several weeks, you may be able to progress to more intense, low-impact exercises such as longer walks, swimming, and cycling.

Everyone progresses at their own rate after a joint replacement. Your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist will guide you through your recovery and help optimize your outcomes. If any issues arise during the first month or at any point during your recovery, let your doctor/physical therapist know. Work closely with them to be completely safe and to have a successful recovery from a joint replacement.

Joint Replacement Surgeon in St. Peters, O’Fallon, & Wentzville Missouri

The orthopedic surgeons at Advanced Bone & Joint regularly treat patients with advanced bone and joint issues. Our physicians are trained in the latest surgical techniques that help improve the outcomes of knee replacement, hip replacement, elbow replacement, and shoulder replacement patients. We are dedicated to helping patients get back to normal function and no longer be severely limited by their joint problems. To schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, call our office today at (636) 229-4222, or use our convenient online request form.