Knee replacement surgery significantly improves mobility and reduces discomfort. Patients often wonder about appropriate activity levels, especially walking, during recovery. While movement is crucial for regaining function, finding the right balance is essential to prevent complications and ensure a successful outcome.
The Role of Movement in Recovery
Controlled movement, including walking, is a cornerstone of recovery following knee replacement surgery. Early mobilization prevents joint stiffness, allowing the knee to bend and straighten fully. Physical activity also promotes healthy blood circulation, reducing the risk of blood clots.
Regular, gentle walking strengthens muscles around the new knee joint, providing better support and stability. This progressive strengthening is crucial for regaining confidence and independence in daily activities. Physical therapy often incorporates walking as a primary exercise to facilitate rehabilitation and improve range of motion.
Recognizing Signs of Overexertion
While movement is beneficial, pushing the new knee beyond its current capacity can hinder recovery. A common sign of overexertion is increased pain that extends beyond the expected post-operative discomfort. This pain might feel sharp, throbbing, or persistently worse than before the activity.
Significant swelling around the knee or lower leg, especially if it worsens after activity or doesn’t improve with rest, indicates tissue inflammation. The knee might also feel warmer or appear redder than usual. These are signals for more rest and reduced activity.
Persistent fatigue or a noticeable decrease in the knee’s range of motion can also be indicators of overdoing it. If the knee feels stiffer or harder to move after a period of activity, it suggests that the tissues are reacting negatively to the strain. Paying close attention to these bodily signals allows for timely adjustments to activity levels.
Navigating Activity Levels
Gradually increasing walking and activity levels is a key aspect of post-knee replacement rehabilitation. Following the prescribed physical therapy plan is important, as it provides a structured approach to progressive loading, ensuring the new joint adapts safely. Physical therapists guide patients on how to start walking, often recommending short, frequent sessions using assistive devices like walkers or canes initially.
As strength and stability improve, the duration and intensity of walks can be slowly increased. For instance, many patients can start walking for 10 minutes or more at a time without an assistive device within four to six weeks post-surgery. Listening to the body’s responses and adjusting activity based on pain and swelling is more important than adhering strictly to a timeline, as individual recovery rates vary significantly.
Assistive devices play a supportive role in the early stages, providing stability and reducing stress on the healing joint. Patients are typically encouraged to use these aids until they can walk without discomfort or a limp. Continued communication with healthcare providers ensures that activity levels are appropriate for the specific stage of recovery.
When to Seek Medical Guidance
Certain symptoms after knee replacement surgery warrant immediate medical attention, as they may indicate a complication beyond typical overexertion. Severe, unmanageable pain that does not subside with rest or prescribed medication is a concerning sign. This type of pain might suggest issues with the implant or surrounding bone.
Signs of infection, such as a fever over 101°F (38.5°C), chills, or pus/foul-smelling drainage from the incision site, require prompt evaluation. Increased redness, warmth, and tenderness around the knee that worsens over time can also signal an infection.
Other red flag symptoms include new or worsening pain in the calf, ankle, or foot, which could indicate a blood clot, or sudden instability of the knee. Any unexpected or significant changes in the knee’s function, or symptoms that cause concern, should be reported to a doctor or physical therapist without delay.