October 15, 2019 —More than 1 million Americans have a hip or knee replacement every year. According to Dr. Savleen Juneja, Kendal at Lexington’s Director of Rehab, the prevalence of these common procedures is only expected to increase in the coming decade.

“The number of total knee replacements performed in the United States will increase by 673 percent by the year 2030, reaching 3.48 million every year. The demand for hip replacements will grow by an estimated 175 percent,” she says.

Due to longer life expectancies and older adults who stay active longer, these projections aren’t surprising. While hip and knee replacements are the most common type of joint replacement, shoulders, fingers, ankles and elbows can also be replaced. But let’s back up: what are the typical causes for joint replacements in older adults? And what can you expect from your recovery?

Reasons to Have a Joint Replacement

There are two common reasons why older adults need to have a hip or knee replacement: arthritis or an injury, most often from a fall.

Arthritis

As we age, arthritis — where the cartilage between bones wears down, causing inflammation — becomes more common. In addition to pain, this can also lead to difficulty performing daily tasks, as well as reduced strength and mobility.

Injury

Older adults are more susceptible to fractures when a fall occurs, and a hip or knee fracture will often lead to the need for a joint replacement. In some cases, the entire joint won’t need to be replaced and the surgeon can instead just replace the damaged portion.

Regardless of why you need a joint replacement — or how common the procedure may be — the prospect of recovery can still be intimidating. Here’s what you can expect.

What to Expect From Joint Replacement Recovery

While recovery specifics will vary depending on the patient, the typical length of a joint replacement hospital stay may surprise you. In fact, the entire recovery period is actually a lot shorter than many people may think.

“After surgery, the average hospital stay is between two to three days,” Savleen says. “Then, patients generally go to a skilled nursing center for acute and sub-acute rehabilitation.”

So, what role does the rehabilitation services at Kendal at Lexington play in joint replacement recovery?

“We either recommend home health, or if someone has high functionality, they can come back outpatient,” Savleen says. “For Kendal at Lexington residential living residents or assisted living residents, we have them come to our special rehabilitation gym.”

Though complete healing will likely take close to three months, Savleen says most joint replacement recovery patients will return to their previous level of activity within six to eight weeks. “When patients come here, the initial goal is to get them independent with their mobility, ambulation and gait training,” she says.

For the first two to six weeks post-op, recovery treatment focuses on controlling pain and swelling, building strength and improving range of motion. For instance, if you have a knee replacement, completely straightening the joint is likely to be uncomfortable at first, but it’s important to get your knee extension to zero degrees within the first few weeks.  While most patients will utilize a walker during this time period, high functioning patients may be able to move to using a cane if they can walk without gait deviation.

“After six to eight weeks, they should be able to resume activity and go back to daily living,” Savleen says, noting that treatment during this time period involves ensuring that your full range of motion has returned and your gait patterns have fully normalized. Most patients can then continue their recovery independently with a home exercise program.

Of course, throughout recovery, there are precautions and complications you will have to watch out for. “The most common for surgical complications would be recognizing a blood clot and preventing infection of the incision,” Savleen says, adding that patients also need to be cautious as they get used to moving around with their new joint. “A fall during the first few weeks after surgery can damage your hip or knee.”

Living With a Joint Replacement

Once past the initial recovery, most joint replacement patients return to normal activity and, in many cases, a better normal — particularly if they suffered in pain prior to surgery. And throughout every phase of recovery and transition back to normal life, the Kendal at Lexington Rehab Team has the expertise and training you need to navigate the process.

Have questions about therapy services at Kendal? Call 888-467-6115 or email kalextherapy@kalex.kendal.org for more information.

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