Immediately after surgery

After the operation, you will be taken to the recovery room, where staff will monitor you as you wake from the anaesthetic. You will then return to your hospital room.

Early mobilisation is important. On the day of surgery or the following morning, a physiotherapist will guide you through exercises to begin your recovery. Continuing these exercises in hospital and at home is essential to maximise your result and prevent stiffness.

Patients typically stay in hospital for around five days before returning home or transferring to a rehabilitation facility. A rehabilitation coordinator will discuss your options during your admission.

You will also be taught safe techniques for everyday activities such as bending, sitting, and using stairs.

Mobility and walking aids

You will initially use two crutches or a frame until you can safely progress to one crutch and walk without a limp.

Typical timeline:

• Two crutches: approximately 3–4 weeks

• One crutch (opposite hand): 4–6 weeks

Caring for your wounds

Your dressing must remain clean, dry, and intact for the first two weeks.

• Wash but do not to get the dressing wet.

• If the edges lift, tape them down.

• A small amount of blood staining is normal.

• You may shower but avoid baths or swimming until four weeks after your operation.

• Swelling in the knee and leg is expected—rest, elevate, and ice the knee to help reduce it.

Mr Patten will advise what type of stitches you have. Some require removal at around two weeks; others dissolve on their own.

Managing pain after surgery

Pain is a normal part of the healing process and will gradually improve.

In the early days:

• rest and elevate the leg

• apply ice regularly

• take pain relief as prescribed

You will be discharged with pain medication. For ongoing pain management, please arrange a review with your GP.

If you are worried about your level of pain, contact our rooms for reassurance and to rule out rare complications.

Recovery timeline

• 4 weeks: generally comfortable

• 3 months: mostly recovered

• 12 months: knee may feel fully “normal”

Returning to work

• Desk‑based work: 3–4 weeks

• Manual or labour‑intensive work: 6–8 weeks

Driving

• Right knee replacement: approximately 6 weeks

• Left knee replacement: 3–6 weeks (depending on manual vs automatic car)

Dental work

Before any invasive dental work (fillings, extractions, etc.), advise your dentist that you have a joint replacement, as antibiotic cover is recommended. Your dentist will follow their own antibiotic protocol.

You may not need antibiotics for a routine scale and clean.

Risks and complications

Complications are uncommon but can include:

• superficial wound infection

• blood clots

• persistent knee pain.

Rare complications include:

• injury to nerves or blood vessels

• infection within the joint.

95% of knee replacements last at 20 years. However, over time a knee replacement may:

• wear out

• come loose

• experience a fracture of the bone around the implant.