An estimated one in five Americans is expected to have a knee or a hip replaced at some point. I’ll be one of them as of December 4.
Recovery time varies; I hope to meet or better the average of three months for knee replacement. For the first three weeks after surgery, when a physical therapist will come to me, I probably won’t go out and may not stand for more than 10 minutes. After that I will go for orthopedic follow-up and physical therapy but don’t yet know what else I’ll be able to do.
The orthopedic surgeon provided a list of every medical to-do before knee surgery. I’m making another list of what I’ll need at home afterward. Here’s what I’ve thought of so far. If you’ve had a joint replaced, please tell me what else to take care of.