Life After Knee Replacement Surgery

Maintaining a healthy weight is also beneficial because excess body weight increases the load placed on the knee during everyday activities.

The AAOS notes that body weight affects stress on a replacement joint, making weight management an important part of long-term joint care.

Things to Avoid After Knee Replacement

A new knee is designed to restore mobility, but it still needs appropriate care.

Avoid:

• High-impact exercise without medical clearance
• Sudden twisting movements
• Overtraining during recovery
• Ignoring persistent pain or swelling
• Skipping physiotherapy
• Returning to demanding activities too quickly
• Smoking, which can interfere with healing
• Excessive weight gain

You should also follow your surgeon's instructions regarding wound care, medication, exercise, and follow-up appointments.

How Long Does a Knee Replacement Last?

Modern knee replacements can provide long-term function, but the lifespan of an implant varies between patients.

Factors that can affect implant longevity include:

• Activity level
• Body weight
• Implant type
• Surgical factors
• Overall health
• Injury or trauma
• Wear over time

Bharath Orthopaedics states that many knee replacements are designed to last approximately 15 to 25 years, although individual outcomes vary.