Protecting Your New Knee Joint After Surgery

After knee replacement surgery, you’ll need to take some extra precautions.

When Sitting:

•  Use a firm chair with a straight back and armrests. Avoid soft chairs, sofas, rocking chairs, stools or chairs that are too low.

•  Sit with your feet and knees pointed straight ahead. Keep your knees stretched out or bent as instructed by your physical therapist.

•  Switch positions above every 45-60 minutes.

When rising from a chair, slide toward the edge and use the chair arms, your crutches or walker for support.

While Walking:

•  Use your walker or crutches until your surgeon or physical therapist gives you the OK to walk without them, and follow their instructions on how much weight to put on your new knee.

•  Start using a cane only when instructed by your provider or therapist.

•  Take small steps when turning and try not to pivot.

•  Wear shoes with nonskid soles.

•  Go slowly on wet or uneven surfaces.

Using Stairs:

•  Hold onto the banister or railing along the stairs for support. (Be sure these are in good condition.)

•  Going up: step first with the leg that did not have surgery.

•  Going down: step first with the leg that had surgery.

•  Avoid long flights of stairs for 2 months after surgery.

Lying in Bed:

•  Keep your knee straight when resting; raise or elevate your leg if needed.

•  Lying down is a good time to do your knee exercises.
 

Bathing or Showering:

•  It’s OK to stand or to sit in a tub seat or stable plastic chair. Do not sit down in the bottom of a bathtub.

•  Place a rubber mat on the tub or shower floor, and keep the bathroom floor clean, obstacle-free and dry.

•  Remember, NO bending, squatting or reaching for anything while showering.

•  Wash your body using a long-handled shower sponge. Have someone adjust faucet or spout controls and wash parts of your body that are hard to reach.

•  Make sure your toilet seat keeps your knees lower than your hips. (Use an elevated seat if necessary.)

Getting Dressed:

•  Sit on a chair or on the edge of a sturdy, stable bed. Do not stand.

•  Use a grabber, a device for putting socks on, a long-handled shoehorn and elastic shoe laces (that don’t need tying) to avoid bending and reaching.

•  Pull clothing on (or off) the leg that had surgery first, before dealing with the other leg.

Getting Into and Out of a Vehicle:

•  Do not drive until your surgeon or physical therapist says it’s OK (it may be 4–6 weeks).

•  When entering the car, get in from street level, not from the curb or doorstep.

•  Have the seat moved back as far as possible, and check beforehand to make sure you can slide easily on the car seat material.

•  As you enter the car, turn around so that the back of your knee is touching the seat, sit down and then shift your body in the seat to face front.

•  Sit on a pillow if your car seat is too low (your hips should be higher than your knees).

•  To get out of the car, turn your body to the door opening, lift your legs out, slide and then lean forward to stand up.

•  If driving a long distance, stop and walk around every 45–60 minutes.

This service is not intended to provide individual medical advice, which should only be obtained directly from a qualified physician or healthcare professional. Your personal information will never be used for any purpose other than to help educate and support you. You may opt out at any time with no effect to the delivery of your care or health benefits.