Knee surgery can restore mobility and reduce pain, but the recovery process requires proper care. Understanding what to expect after surgery helps you prepare for the healing process. Here is more information on the basics of knee surgery, why it’s performed, the types available, and what you can expect during recovery:
What Is Knee Surgery?
Knee surgery refers to medical procedures performed to treat damage, injury, or disease in the knee joint. Surgeons may repair or replace damaged tissues, bones, or cartilage to restore function and alleviate discomfort. The procedure ranges from minimally invasive techniques to more extensive reconstructions, and each approach is tailored to address specific conditions.
Why Is It Conducted?
Doctors recommend knee surgery when conservative treatments like physical therapy, medication, or injections fail to provide relief. Common reasons for surgery include severe arthritis, torn ligaments or cartilage, fractures, and chronic instability that affects daily activities. Surgery may be necessary when damage limits your ability to walk, climb stairs, or perform routine tasks without significant discomfort, and a specialist will determine your eligibility.
What Are the Different Types?
Several types of knee surgery address specific conditions and levels of damage. Partial knee replacement involves replacing only the damaged portion of the knee, while total knee replacement replaces the entire joint. Arthroscopy uses small incisions and a camera to diagnose and treat conditions such as torn menisci or cartilage damage, enabling quicker recovery times.
Instability surgery repairs or reconstructs ligaments to restore stability to the knee joint. Knee resurfacing smooths damaged cartilage surfaces without replacing the entire joint, preserving more of the natural knee structure. Meniscal repair stitches torn meniscus tissue back together to maintain knee cushioning, while fracture repair uses plates, screws, or pins to stabilize broken bones and promote healing.
How Is Surgery Beneficial?
Knee surgery can significantly improve quality of life by reducing pain and restoring mobility. Patients potentially experience an increased range of motion and can return to activities they previously avoided due to discomfort. Surgery addresses the root cause of knee problems rather than just managing symptoms, and it provides a long-term solution.
The procedure can also prevent further damage to the knee joint and surrounding structures. Repairing torn ligaments or cartilage helps maintain joint stability, and it prevents additional wear that may lead to more severe complications. For those with advanced arthritis, joint replacement eliminates bone-on-bone contact that causes chronic pain and limits movement.
What Is Recovery Like?
Recovery begins immediately after surgery with pain management and initial physical therapy exercises. You may start moving the knee within 24 hours to prevent stiffness and promote circulation, and physical therapists guide you through gentle movements that protect the healing tissues. The first few weeks focus on managing swelling, protecting the surgical site, and gradually increasing mobility.
Physical therapy plays a central role in recovery and typically continues for several months. Therapists design exercise programs to rebuild strength, improve flexibility, and restore normal movement patterns. The timeline varies depending on the type of surgery, and following your surgeon’s instructions closely supports healing.
Navigate Your Recovery Process
Knee surgery can improve mobility and reduce pain when other treatments have not provided relief. Understanding the different types of procedures and what recovery involves helps you set realistic expectations and prepare for the healing process. Consult a specialist and learn more about the recovery process today.