Total knee replacement recovery: How long can it take?
Total knee replacement recovery: How long can it take? https://phoenixspineandjoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/shutterstock_181679270.jpg 1000 667 Phoenix Spine & Joint https://phoenixspineandjoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/shutterstock_181679270.jpgSurgery isn’t usually the first option used when a patient has knee arthritis. In fact, there are several noninvasive treatment methods that are often used before surgery. This includes options like physical therapy and pain medication. However, noninvasive treatments may lose their effectiveness over time, and knee surgery may be the best option once this happens. One factor that patients may wonder about before their total knee replacement is how long it may take to recover after surgery.
What is total knee replacement?
Arthritis can cause damage to several parts of the knee joint. This includes important structures like the joint cartilage, the thigh bone, the shin bone and the kneecap. Total knee replacement is a minimally invasive procedure, and it’s designed to replace all parts of your knee.
This is accomplished using metal implants to replace the ends of the thigh and shin bone. In some cases the kneecap may also be replaced with an implant as well. In place of the joint cartilage, a specially formed plastic spacer is placed between the thigh and shin implants. To keep the spacer in place, special adhesives are used to attach it to the metal shin implant.
How long does it take to recover from a minimally invasive total knee replacement?
Minimally invasive techniques benefit patients who are undergoing a total knee replacement in several ways. For one thing, a smaller incision of about 4 inches can be used. These techniques can also help to reduce blood loss during surgery, and they’re intended to decrease the risk of post-surgical infection.
Possibly the biggest benefit of these techniques is that they help reduce recovery time. Less damage to the soft tissue, less blood loss and decreased risk of infection all play a part in this. In fact, many patients may be able to go back to doing low-impact activities in as little as three weeks. Every patient is different, though, and it can take up to six weeks for some patients to heal to this level.
Phoenix Spine & Joint offers total knee replacements designed to cut recovery times
At Phoenix Spine & Joint, our team is proud to use the most innovative minimally invasive techniques in total knee replacement surgeries. These techniques are designed to provide benefits such as:
- Reducing knee pain
- Decreasing in-surgery blood loss
- Reducing post-surgical infection risk
- Helping patients recover faster
- Improving quality of life
So many of our patients have been able to take advantage of these benefits that our team currently has a 99% patient satisfaction rating.
Are you worried about how long your total knee replacement recovery may take? Take the next step to reduce your pain and recover as fast as possible. Contact one of our care specialists today for more information or to schedule a free second opinion.
