FAQs

A:- You can return to playing low-impact sports.  This means sports that don’t put high stresses on your hip.  These include golf, bowling, cycling or swimming. 

A:- Although you will experience relief of your pre-operative pain quite soon after the operation, the return of full function can take much longer.  After three months, you will probably have regained some of the strength in the muscles in your leg, and range of movement will be improving.  However, it may take up to 18 months to feel the full benefits. 

A:- The lifetime of the joint replacement varies from person to person.  It can depend on many factors such as the patient’s activity level, body weight and surgical technique.  A replacement joint is not as strong or durable as a natural healthy joint.  There is no guarantee that a replacement joint will last the rest of a patient’s life.

A:- You are able to drive 6-12 weeks after the operation, providing there have been no problems in your rehabilitation.

A:- You are able to fly no sooner than 3 months after your operation.  Your risk of having a DVT (blood clot in the calf) is still high within this time period.

A:- The joint replacement is made of cobalt chrome and, in theory, shouldn’t set off the alarms.  If the alarm does go off, then the scar on your thigh will help confirm that you have had surgery.  If you are worried then you could ask your consultant for a letter to confirm you have had a joint replacement. 

A:- The majority of patients may well be pain free and no longer need painkillers.  About a third of patients will have some pain, but it should be much less than the pain they had before the operation.

A:- Generally, patients resume sexual activities as soon as they feel able, usually from 6 weeks onwards.  In the months following surgery, patients are generally advised to take it easy and modify their positioning to keep pressure off the affected joint whilst it is healing.

1. Keep active when you are on the ward.  It will be much easier to walk around with crutches at home rather than a frame.
2. Gradually increase the distances walked at home, as pain allows.

1. Bend the hip beyond 90º (a right angle) for the first 3 months.
2. Cross your legs, as this is a risk position for hip dislocation.
3. Twist and turn on your operated leg.  Make sure you lift your feet when turning.
4. Sit on a low chair, bed or toilet.

A:- You can return to playing low-impact sports. This means sports that don’t put high stresses on your knee. These include golf, bowling, cycling or swimming.

A:- Although you will experience relief of your pre-operative pain quite soon after the operation, the return of full function can take much longer. After three months, you will probably have regained some of the strength in the muscles around the knee, and range of movement will be improving. However, it may take up to 18 months to feel the full benefits.

A:- Research shows at 10 years 97% of knees are functioning satisfactorily this reduces to 95% at 15 years and 70% at 20 years.

A:- You are able to drive 6 weeks after the operation, providing there have been no problems in your rehabilitation. If you have an automatic car, and have had a left knee replacement, you could return to driving once the wound is healed, which is usually around 2 weeks post op.

A:- You are able to fly no sooner than 3 months after your operation.  Your risk of having a DVT (blood clot in the calf) is still high within this time period.

A:- The joint replacement is made of cobalt chrome and, in theory, shouldn’t set off the alarms.  If the alarm does go off, then the scar on your thigh will help confirm that you have had surgery.  If you are worried then you could ask your consultant for a letter to confirm you have had a joint replacement.

A:- Yes. This is the metal and plastic components moving over each other.

A:- A third of patients find this is difficult and painful to do following this type of surgery. Kneeling on hard surfaces is not recommended but special kneeling mats can sometimes help.

A:- On a few occasions, some patients may find their knee is very stiff even though they have tried hard to get it to bend. Your surgeon may then recommend a manipulation. This involves going back to theatre and being put to sleep again. The knee is then bent as far as it will go and you return to the ward. Your knee is then placed on a machine, which keeps the knee bending. There is no wound to heal like with the initial operation, but it is still hard work for you to maintain the movement that has been gained. Eventually, the knee replacement can wear out and another (revision) knee replacement may be needed.

A:- The majority of patients may well be pain free and no longer need painkillers. About a third of patients will have some pain, but it should be much less than the pain they had before the operation.