Joint replacement techniques have come a long way in the last few decades, but make no mistake, the operation and recovery period is a significant undertaking for any individual. Your recovery timeline will be measured in weeks and months, not days, so know that you’ll need to pursue physical therapy and other rehabilitation techniques for an extended period if you hope to make the strongest recovery possible. All joint replacement procedures are complex and ask a lot of the patient during the recovery phases, but which joint replacement recovery is considered easier or harder than others? In today’s blog, we break down different joint replacement procedures and explain why some recoveries may be easier than others.
Ranking Joint Replacement Recovery Difficulty
Let’s take a closer look at four different joint replacement procedures – ankle, hip, knee and shoulder – and talk about what makes recovery from these surgeries simpler or more challenging than others. Let’s start with the easiest and work our way up to the hardest.
- Hip Replacement – Of the four joint procedures listed, hip replacement surgery is generally considered the easiest of the bunch to recover from. One of the main reasons behind this belief is that early weight bearing and motion is actually encouraged when you have a hip replaced. Most patients can leave the surgery center the same day, and modern surgical techniques have greatly reduced the risk of dislocation (as long as you follow your surgeon’s post-op movement instructions). That’s not to say that recovery will be a breeze, because you will have discomfort and stiffness for weeks as your hip recovers and you slowly regain strength and function in the joint. Compared to knees, ankles and shoulders, hip replacement is commonly viewed as the easiest recovery of them all.
- Ankle Replacement – Ankle replacement surgery isn’t as common as a hip or knee replacement, but when it is performed, the rehabilitation period isn’t all that daunting. You will have to be non-weight bearing for several weeks, which can make getting around a little challenging after the procedure, and you’ll want to aggressively pursue physical therapy when approved to resolve stiffness that can set in after surgery. Discomfort isn’t as significant as it can be with knee or shoulder surgery recovery, and because ankle replacement restores more motion than a fusion, many patients regain significant function once they’ve progressed through their rehab period.
- Shoulder Replacement – There is some disagreement about whether a shoulder replacement or a knee replacement procedure is more challenging, but the fact of the matter is they both present unique challenges and opportunities. For example, the shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body, meaning it needs to be immobilized in a cast or a sling for weeks during the early stages of healing. The shoulder has the longest immobilization period of any replaced joint, so while you can still be upright and moving on your feet, you’ll find that it may be challenging to have one arm immobilized for such an extended period. Also, because your shoulder is the least stable and most mobile joint, the recovery period is typically longer in order to restore as much of this function as possible. Total recovery can take anywhere from 6-12 months or longer.
- Knee Replacement – Knee replacement is probably considered the most challenging recovery of the four named procedures because of the aggressive nature of the rehab period. Most surgeons will have you upright and bearing weight soon after your procedure, and that’s going to be uncomfortable, but it’s also critical for establishing motion and stability in the joint. We’re going to push you during physical therapy to reestablish as much strength and function as possible, and you probably won’t like it, but know that it will be worth it in the end. Total knee replacement surgery recovery is typically shorter than shoulder surgery. Patients are typically back to normal activities by the 3-month mark, so you should recover sooner than some other procedures on this list!
Dr. Botero specializes in knee and hip replacement, and he’ll do everything in his power to make your recovery as comfortable as possible while also working to maximize your results. For more information, or to connect with him about a specific issue, reach out to his office today at (865) 558-4444.
