Your surgeon will encourage you to use your “new” joint shortly after your operation. After knee replacement, you will often stand and begin walking the day after surgery. Initially, you will use a frame for assistance but quickly progress to using a cane or walking stick.
Some patients have some temporary pain in the replaced joint because the surrounding muscles are weak from inactivity and the tissues are healing, but it will end in a few weeks or months.
Exercise is an important part of the recovery process. Your orthopaedic surgeon or the staff will discuss an exercise program for you after surgery.
After your surgery, you may be permitted to play golf, walk and dance. However, more strenuous sports, such as tennis or running, may be discouraged.
The motion of your joint will generally improve after surgery. The extent of improvement will depend on how stiff your joint was before the surgery