Knee Replacement Recovery: A Guide to a Stronger You

Knee replacement surgery, also known as total knee replacement or knee arthroplasty, is a common surgical procedure to relieve severe pain caused by osteoarthritis or joint damage. Many people elect to have this surgery to regain their mobility and improve their overall well-being. 

While the surgery itself is very effective, the real success of knee replacement is in the recovery. A structured recovery plan can make a big difference to your range of motion, pain relief, and how quickly you can get back to daily life.

By using Motive with your physical therapy program, you can strengthen your knee joint and get a smoother recovery.

In this article, we will go over the best practices for knee replacement recovery and how Motive can help support and speed up this journey to a stronger, healthier knee joint.

Immediate Post-Surgery Recovery

After total knee replacement surgery, the initial recovery starts in the hospital or outpatient recovery room. During this critical time, the focus is on pain management, starting rehab, and preventing complications like blood clots. 

Here’s what to expect. 

Hospital Stay: You’ll typically be in the hospital for a few days after knee joint replacement surgery and closely monitored by your medical team, including your orthopedic surgeon, to make sure there are no signs of infection and your new knee is working properly. 

Initial Rehab: Nurses will help you with early mobility exercises and your physical therapist will introduce basic movement to help with circulation and prevent blood clots.

Pain Management: Your healthcare provider may prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter options to manage discomfort. Some patients may also use anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling. Using assistive devices like crutches or walkers can take pressure off the knee joint and make the transition to mobility more comfortable.

Physical Therapy and Exercises: Early exercises will include bending and straightening your knee and moving your kneecap to keep the joint mobile. As you progress, the exercises will get more advanced and focus on building strength in the ligaments and surrounding muscles.

Precautions and Restrictions: Follow your surgeon’s instructions closely during this time. Avoid activities that put stress on your knee joint and be aware of potential complications like blood clots or infection. Handrails and other modifications at home can help with your recovery and make movement safer as you get mobile.

 

Pro-Tip: One of the best ways to make post-surgery recovery easier is to focus on your health and strength before surgery. Using Motive before your procedure can help you build stronger muscles around your knee. By strengthening your quadriceps before surgery you’ll be stronger and better prepared for rehabilitation afterward. 

Early Recovery Phase

The early stages of recovery after knee replacement surgery are key to getting strong, mobile, and independent. Here’s what it’ll include:

Gradual Weight-Bearing and Mobility: In the first few weeks after surgery, you will start to put weight on your new knee. Your orthopedic surgeon will tell you how much weight to bear and when to increase activity. Depending on your progress and type of surgery (total knee replacement or partial knee replacement), you will move from using assistive devices like crutches or walkers to standing and walking unassisted.

Listen to Your Body: and follow your healthcare team’s guidance. Rushing into full weight bearing can hinder recovery so take it slow to protect your artificial joint and avoid complications.

Home Exercises: These exercises target the key muscle groups, quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip flexors to support the knee joint. Examples of home exercises in early recovery may be straight leg raises to strengthen the quadriceps, knee bends to improve flexibility, and calf raises to build stability around the joint.

Pro-Tip: Using a tool like Motive in your home rehabilitation will help strengthen the muscles around your knee, reduce knee pain, and speed up recovery. Motive uses FDA-cleared electrical stimulation technology to target the muscles supporting your knee joint to improve function and increase strength – so you can get mobile faster.

Ongoing Physiotherapy Sessions: Your physiotherapist will monitor your progress and adjust exercises accordingly, increasing the difficulty as your activity level improves. These sessions are to ensure your knee joint is healing properly and you’re building muscle strength to support your prosthesis.

Keep in mind that early recovery can present some challenges:

• Pain and discomfort: Some pain is expected but persistent or increasing pain should be discussed with your orthopedic surgeon. Pain relief can come in the form of over-the-counter or prescription medication.
• Swelling: Swelling is common in the early stages of recovery. Elevate your leg, ice the joint, and use compression wraps to reduce swelling.
• Stiffness: If stiffness occurs, increase activity gradually and incorporate stretching and strengthening exercises into your daily routine.

Later Recovery Phase

As you get further along in your recovery journey after knee replacement surgery, your focus should turn to getting full mobility, strengthening your knee, and getting back to daily activities and hobbies. This phase is key to your overall recovery and long-term success.

Increasing Activity: At this point, you should be aiming for more range of motion and not overdoing it. Activities like walking, climbing stairs, and light cycling will keep your joints mobile and functional.

More Range of Motion: Range of motion goals include having the ability to bend your knee to at least 90 degrees. Stretching and continued movement will help and are important for daily activities like sitting, standing, and walking.

Strengthening Exercises: Strengthening the muscles around your knee joint, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteal muscles is important during this phase. Building muscle strength reduces stress on the knee, improves stability, and supports the healing of your prosthesis.

Exercises to do include: 

• Leg raises and calf raises to build lower body strength.
• Squats and lunges to improve knee stability and flexibility.
• Bridges and hip abductions to strengthen supporting muscles in the hips and thighs.

• Using Motive: Motive can support your recovery by targeting key quad muscles with  FDA-cleared neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) technology. When coupled with your rehab program, Motive can help build muscle strength faster.

Getting Back to Normal Activities and Hobbies: Whether it’s walking, gardening, or light sports, the goal is to get back to your daily life with less discomfort and more mobility. But ease back into these activities to avoid overuse or injury to your recovering knee. 

The Role of Motive in Knee Replacement Recovery

After total knee replacement or partial knee replacement, you need to focus on regaining strength in the surrounding muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. These muscles support the new knee and improve range of motion and stability.

Motive works by delivering gentle electrical impulses to these muscles, contracting the muscles without putting extra stress on the knee joint. This stimulation increases quad strength, reduces pain, and improves mobility. 

Using Motive as part of your recovery plan has several benefits:

• Targeted Muscle Strengthening: By activating muscles that would otherwise be difficult to engage due to post-surgery pain or immobility, Motive helps you strengthen your thigh muscles and ligaments around the knee.
• Better Mobility: Stronger muscles mean better stability and range of motion, so you can walk, climb stairs, and get back to normal activities sooner.
• Reduced Risk of Reinjury: Strengthening the muscles around the knee reduces the risk of falls and further injury as you progress through your rehab.
• At-home Use: Motive can be used at home, so you can use it between physical therapy sessions.

Studies have shown that electrical stimulation therapy like Motive can improve muscle strength, reduce post-operative swelling, and shorten recovery time after joint replacement surgery. Patients who use Motive have experienced these results. 

Dr. Coleman, an orthopedic surgeon and co-founder of Motive, has seen his patients recover faster and have less knee pain during post-surgery rehab. Jessica, a physical therapist, has seen her patients regain strength and get back to normal activities sooner after adding Motive to their rehab plan.

Motive FAQs

Is Motive safe to use after knee replacement surgery?
Yes, Motive’s FDA-cleared technology is safe for post-surgery use and is recommended by orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists alike. Motive is designed to work in conjunction with your rehab protocol to aid in recovery.

Can Motive replace physical therapy?
Motive is not meant to replace your physical therapy program. It enhances your recovery by targeting muscles that are hard to engage post-surgery. Using Motive in conjunction with physical therapy will get you the best results.

How often should I use Motive?
The frequency of use will depend on the stage of recovery and your healthcare provider’s guidance. Most patients use Motive daily, for 30 minutes to achieve optimal results.

Tips for a Successful Recovery

Below are key tips to help you get the best recovery results. 

Follow Physical Therapy Guidelines: Follow your physical therapist’s instructions to rebuild strength and improve range of motion. Be consistent with your exercises, attend all therapy sessions, and gradually increase your activity level as instructed for long-term success.

Proper Nutrition and Hydration: Feed your body the right nutrients to heal. Focus on a balanced diet high in protein, vitamins, and minerals to repair tissue and strengthen your muscles. Stay hydrated to keep your joints flexible and overall healthy.

Managing Pain and Discomfort: Pain management is part of your recovery. Along with prescribed pain medication or over-the-counter options, consider adding anti-inflammatory supplements (as recommended by your doctor) and using ice to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Emotional Well-Being and Support Systems: A positive attitude can make a big difference in your recovery. Lean on your support systems—family, friends, and healthcare providers—to help you stay motivated on tough days. Consider joining a support group where you can share with others who have had joint replacement surgery.

Realistic Expectations: Recovery is individualized. Set realistic goals so you don’t overdo it. Celebrate each step and remember progress takes time.

Strengthen Your Recovery with Motive

Motive is a powerful tool to support your rehab. By targeting the right muscle groups, improving mobility, and reducing the risk of re-injury, Motive helps you recover faster and better. 

To get the best results be sure to discuss your recovery plan including Motive with your healthcare provider or orthopedic surgeon. They can help you tailor your rehab to your individual needs and guide you on how to get the most out of Motive.

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