Your care team will include a physical therapist and together with your doctor, the therapist will develop a plan that will begin immediately in the hospital, usually the day after surgery.
Initial, in-hospital therapy will likely be gentle, in-bed exercises designed to help regain range of motion in your new knee joint and to build muscle strength. You may use a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine as well which gently bends and straightens your knee, increasing range every day. Weight-bearing exercises will follow as prescribed by your therapist and depending upon your health and strength.
Therapy may be uncomfortable or even painful, and your legs and feet may be swollen. Progressive therapy will help decrease the swelling and may help avoid complications.
Make sure to discuss your post-hospital therapy needs and program with your doctor and in-hospital physical therapist.
Any stitches or staples that were used during your operation will be taken out around 7 to 14 days after surgery, unless dissolving stitches were used, which do not need to be removed.
You will visit your surgeon or nurse to have your stitches removed and to have a follow-up appointment to analyze your implant and healing.
