Total Knee Replacement: What to Expect Before, During and After

Thinking about knee replacement surgery? Dr. Bhardwaj explains the procedure, recovery timeline and what makes a successful outcome.

Total Knee Replacement (TKR), also called Total Knee Arthroplasty, is one of the most successful surgical procedures in orthopaedics. It relieves pain and restores function for patients with severe knee arthritis.

Who Needs Knee Replacement?

TKR is recommended when: - Knee pain severely limits daily activities (walking, climbing stairs) - Knee pain persists at rest or disturbs sleep - Knee is deformed (bowed or knock-kneed) - Conservative treatment (medications, injections, physiotherapy) has failed - X-ray shows severe joint space loss (bone-on-bone arthritis)

Before Surgery — What to Expect

Pre-operative assessment: Blood tests, ECG, X-rays and sometimes MRI are done to assess your overall health and plan the surgery.

Medical optimisation: Any medical conditions (diabetes, blood pressure, anaemia) are controlled before surgery.

Pre-hab: Physiotherapy exercises before surgery improve outcomes significantly.

The Surgery

TKR typically takes 60–90 minutes under spinal anaesthesia (you are awake but feel nothing). The damaged knee surfaces are removed and replaced with metal and plastic implants that replicate the natural knee joint. At Shivneri Hospital, we use premium implants designed for long-term durability.

After Surgery — Recovery Timeline

Day 1: You will begin standing and walking with support on the day of surgery or the following day. The physiotherapist will start gentle exercises.

Days 2–5 (Hospital Stay): Walking is progressively increased. Swelling and pain are managed with medications and ice.

Weeks 1–6 (Home Recovery): Walking with a walker, then a stick. Most patients can climb stairs by week 3.

Months 2–3: Most patients are walking independently without aids.

Months 3–6: Return to most normal activities. Driving typically resumes at 6–8 weeks.

1 Year: Full recovery with maximum benefit from the surgery.

What Makes a Successful Outcome?

Choosing the right surgeon — Experience and fellowship training matter
Premium implants — Quality implants last 15–20+ years
Patient commitment — Consistent physiotherapy is essential
Early mobilisation — Getting up and moving early reduces complications
Realistic expectations — TKR relieves pain but high-impact sport is generally avoided

If you have severe knee pain limiting your life, book a consultation to discuss whether TKR is right for you.