Do's And Don'ts
Total Knee Replacement Guide for Your Return Home
Dos and Don'ts
Allowed activities
- Walking
- Slow Dancing
- Stationary or Non-stationary Bicycle
- Bowling
- Golf
- Low-impact Aerobics
- Croquet
- Swimming
- Shuffleboard
- Horseshoes
Allowed Activities With Some Experience
- Hiking (mild to moderate)
- Rowing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Stationary Skiing (Nordic Trac)
- Faster walking
- Tennis (non-competitive)
- Certain Weight Machines
- Ice Skating
Activities Not Recommended
- Handball
- Squash
- Rock Climbing
- Soccer
- Singles Tennis
- Volleyball
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Lacrosse
- Hockey
- Basketball
- Jogging
- Running
Probably Not Recommended
- Roller Blading
- Inline Skating
- Downhill Skiing
The reason that most orthopedic surgeons strongly discourage jogging and running after total knee replacement is that tremendous forces are placed on the knee during these activities. This stress across the joint on the polyethylene bearings can lead to catastrophic failure of the polyethylene material.
References
Total Knee Replacement Equipment
- If you are being discharged to a sub acute rehab center, they will supply you with equipment
- If you are going home, we would recommend the following:
-
Lower Extremity Dressing Kit
- Dressing Stick, 27"
- Elastic Shoelaces
- whiteSock-Assist™
- Plastic Shoehorn, 18"
- Raised Toilet Seat
- Wheeled Walker
- Aluminum Adjustable Cane
