According to the National Association of Homebuilders, over half of the houses built in the U.S. are two stories tall. Many of these homes feature bedrooms, bathrooms, and other important areas on the second floor that may not be accessible when a weight-bearing joint is recovering from an invasive procedure, leading many people to wonder, “When can I climb stairs after total knee replacement surgery?”
Many people love running as a stress reliever, and the thought of having to miss out after surgery can be disappointing to say the least. You may be able to run after knee replacement surgery, but only after a significant and careful recovery period.
A total knee replacement can dramatically reduce pain caused by arthritis or joint damage, resulting in an average decrease of 5.35 on the visual analog scale, a psychometric tool that allows patients to rate their pain from 0 to 10.
Getting a 2nd knee replacement may be necessary if you have experienced degeneration or loosening from wear, complications such as infection or improper alignment, or changes in joint health.
Surgeons must create an incision during knee replacement surgeries to access the deteriorated joint and replace it with a state-of-the-art prosthesis. This means scars from knee replacement procedures are unavoidable, whether the patient undergoes traditional or minimally invasive surgery.
After knee replacement surgery, patients are expected to balance pain management, mobility work from physical therapy, and swelling control. To facilitate these aspects of recovery, patients should use supportive tools, such as compression garments, when approved by their medical provider.
