Patient Education: Knee Replacement (Arthroplasty)

1. Understanding Knee Replacement

What it is:
Knee replacement (also called knee arthroplasty) is surgery to replace a damaged or worn-out knee joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis).

Why it’s needed:

To relieve pain from arthritis or injury
To improve knee movement and function
To allow daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, and standing

Types of knee replacement:

Total knee replacement: The entire knee joint is replaced
Partial knee replacement: Only the damaged part of the knee is replaced

Location and severity:

Surgery involves the knee joint
Severity depends on how damaged the knee is and how much pain or mobility limitation it causes

Cause / Risk Factors:

Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
Injury or fracture to the knee
Age-related wear and tear
Obesity increasing stress on the knee
Previous knee surgery

2. Symptoms to Watch For

After surgery, monitor for:

Redness, warmth, or swelling at the incision site
Pus or unusual drainage
Fever
Increasing pain not relieved by medication

Delayed complications may include:

Infection
Blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis)
Stiffness or limited range of motion
Loosening of the artificial joint (rare)

3. Post-Hospitalization Information

Take all prescribed medications, including pain medicine and blood thinners
Attend follow-up appointments to check healing and knee function
Use assistive devices (walker, cane) as instructed

4. Home Management & Recovery

Pain management:

Take pain medications as prescribed
Ice packs can reduce swelling and discomfort

Mobility:

Begin gentle walking as soon as recommended
Perform knee exercises as instructed by your physical therapist
Avoid twisting, bending too far, or high-impact activities

Wound care:

Keep the incision clean and dry
Follow your physician’s dressing instructions
Contact your doctor or home health nurse if there are signs of infection

Rest and rehabilitation:

Rest often but also do exercises to regain strength
Physical therapy helps restore motion and function

5. Prevention of Complications

Infection prevention:

Wash hands before touching the incision
Keep dressings clean and dry
Avoid swimming or soaking until your doctor allows

Fall prevention:

Remove loose rugs and obstacles
Use proper lighting and handrails
Use assistive devices properly

Monitoring for delayed symptoms:

Watch for redness, swelling, pus, fever, or unusual knee pain
Contact your healthcare provider if any of these occur

6. When to Contact Home Health vs ER

Contact home health or your doctor if:

Mild swelling, redness, or tenderness
Questions about medications or wound care
Mild knee stiffness or discomfort

Go to the ER immediately if:

Sudden severe knee pain or swelling
Redness spreading quickly, pus, or heavy bleeding
Fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
Shortness of breath, chest pain, or calf pain/swelling (possible blood clot)

Patient Homework / Assessment: True or False (20 Questions)

Instructions: Read each statement. Circle or mark whether it is TRUE or FALSE.

TRUE or FALSE: Knee replacement surgery replaces a damaged knee joint with an artificial one.
TRUE or FALSE: Knee replacement is done on the shoulder joint.
TRUE or FALSE: Surgery can relieve pain caused by arthritis.
TRUE or FALSE: Total knee replacement replaces only part of the knee.
TRUE or FALSE: Partial knee replacement replaces only the damaged part of the knee.
TRUE or FALSE: Age and previous injury can increase the risk of needing knee replacement.
TRUE or FALSE: Redness, swelling, or pus may indicate infection.
TRUE or FALSE: Fever after surgery should be ignored.
TRUE or FALSE: Ice packs can help reduce pain and swelling.
TRUE or FALSE: Gentle walking is encouraged after surgery.
TRUE or FALSE: Twisting or high-impact activity should be avoided until cleared.
TRUE or FALSE: Wounds should be kept clean and dry.
TRUE or FALSE: Physical therapy helps restore knee motion and strength.
TRUE or FALSE: Falls are not a concern after knee replacement.
TRUE or FALSE: Blood clots are a possible complication.
TRUE or FALSE: Follow-up appointments are important for recovery.
TRUE or FALSE: Home health can help with mild swelling or questions about care.
TRUE or FALSE: Sudden severe knee pain or redness spreading quickly requires ER care.
TRUE or FALSE: Avoid swimming until your doctor says it is safe.
TRUE or FALSE: Exercises and rest are both important for recovery.

Answer Key with Explanations

TRUE – Knee replacement replaces a damaged joint with an artificial one.
FALSE – Surgery is done on the knee, not the shoulder.
TRUE – Surgery relieves pain caused by arthritis or injury.
FALSE – Total knee replacement replaces the entire knee joint.
TRUE – Partial replacement replaces only the damaged portion.
TRUE – Age, injury, or arthritis increases the risk of needing surgery.
TRUE – Redness, swelling, or pus may indicate infection.
FALSE – Fever may signal infection and should be checked.
TRUE – Ice packs can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
TRUE – Gentle walking prevents stiffness and improves circulation.
TRUE – Twisting and high-impact activity can damage the new joint.
TRUE – Keeping wounds clean and dry helps prevent infection.
TRUE – Physical therapy restores strength and motion.
FALSE – Falls can cause injury to the new joint; prevention is important.
TRUE – Blood clots can form in the legs (DVT) after surgery.
TRUE – Follow-up appointments monitor healing and joint function.
TRUE – Home health can assist with mild swelling, wound care, or questions.
TRUE – Sudden severe pain, redness, or swelling may indicate an emergency.
TRUE – Swimming may increase infection risk until cleared.
TRUE – Both exercises and rest are important for proper recovery.