Recovering After Hip or Knee Replacement

Recovering from your surgery can be a long process and you will be improving for up to one year after your surgery.  You can expect to initially feel down and with low energy.  Pain and swelling is common and you can expect aches and swelling for three months after your surgery.  Your new joint replacement will be with you for the rest of your life so it is important that you take care of it.  It is important to know that the joint replacement is not the knee or hip you had when you were younger and will always be different than your old joint.  They can click and make sounds and will feel different than your old knee.  The goal of your knee replacement is to be able to walk and perform your daily activities without pain and it is important that when you have surgery your goals are aligned with this.