How long does it take to recuperate from knee replacement surgery?

Question

both my knees need to be replaced because of osteoarthritis and I am in horrific pain but I can hardly afford to not be working,I do NOT get paid for sick days and will lose my job if I take too long off. what is the SHORTEST lenggth of time for recuperation, and can I use cruttches right away to get around if I MUST at least go to work?

Answer 1

MOST people take about 3 months off from work...especially when having both knees done at the same time. This is also highly dependend on your line of work. If you have any degree of having to get up and move around, I would definetely recommend taking the whole 3 months. There is a great disruption to your entire system after this surgery, you will be dealing not just with pain, but also disturbed sleep, possibly loss of appetite and fatigue...not to mention that you will most likely be on pain medication that will make you drowsy. 3 months seems to be the "magic turn around time" in terms of having better pain control, increase in energy and attaining restorative sleep and getting off the sedative medications.

I have had 2 people return to work after about 6 weeks, but they primarily had desk jobs...and to be quite honest...they were quite miserable...and only had one knee done at a time. Yet, you can use crutches from the first day...if you are coordinated enough...most opt for the walker.

You need to discuss your line of work with your surgeon and set an prospetive goal for return to work. If your employer offers short term disability...use it.

Best wishes...it is a highly effective surgery, but give your body time to heal.

Answer 2

If your the same one from a few days ago, I told you, the day they let you out, you can start walking around but, working, com'mon you got to have a short recovery period. After all, you do have a new knee, they only do one at a time.

Answer 3

The price of knee joint replacement surgery is very low in India as compared to USA, UK and Canada. My cousin also got her hip replacement surgery in India through the forerunners healthcare .She is more than very happy with the results. She is totally pain free now. She just paid 25% of the amount she was quoted in USA and is all praise for this forerunners healthcare company.


Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines. I have read a lot of their patient stories also. They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low price, as all joint surgery is not covered by insurance in USA or by NHS in the UK. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that your surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.