By the time total knee replacement is on the table, you have likely tried exercises, medicines, and injections, and your knee still sets the pace of your day. Walking into your consultation with the right questions can turn a big decision into a clear plan. Whether you are coming from Naples, Fort Myers, or Bonita Springs, these are the questions to ask your knee surgeon before total knee replacement.
Why Is Total Knee Replacement the Right Option for My Knee?
Start by asking what your exam and X-rays show and why surgery makes sense now. Total knee replacement is commonly considered when severe pain or stiffness limits walking, stairs, or getting in and out of chairs, when pain continues at rest, and when medications, injections, and physical therapy no longer bring enough relief.1 Recommendations are based on your pain and disability rather than your age.1
Would a Partial Knee Replacement Work Instead?
If arthritis is confined to a single compartment of your knee, a partial knee replacement that replaces only the damaged section may be an option. When arthritis involves more of the joint, total knee replacement resurfaces the worn ends of the thighbone and shinbone, and often the back of the kneecap. Ask which pattern your imaging shows and why one approach suits you better.
Which Implants Will You Use?
A total knee replacement is really a resurfacing. Damaged cartilage and a small amount of bone are removed and replaced with metal components that may be cemented or press fit, with a medical grade plastic spacer between them for smooth gliding.1 Some surgeons resurface the kneecap with a plastic button and some do not, depending on the case.1 Ask what materials we plan to use and how your activity level may affect implant wear.
Is Robotic Assisted Surgery an Option for Me?
With robotic assisted knee replacement, CT scans are used to build a virtual model of your knee, and a robotic arm helps your surgeon place the new components. Potential benefits include smaller incisions and precise placement of the implant. Ask whether this technique suits your knee and how it would shape your surgery.
How Should I Prepare My Home and Health?
We may ask you to see your primary care doctor several weeks before surgery to confirm you are healthy enough for the operation and recovery.1 Major dental procedures should be completed beforehand to lower your infection risk.1 At home, a stable chair with a firm seat, two arms, and a footstool, plus a temporary living space on one floor, can make early recovery easier.1
What Will Recovery and Physical Therapy Involve?
You can often begin exercising your knee within hours of surgery, guided by a physical therapist who teaches you how to strengthen your leg and restore motion.1 You will walk with a cane, crutches, or a walker at first, and you may need help with cooking, shopping, bathing, and laundry for several weeks.1
Ask how long swelling may last; mild to moderate swelling can continue for about 3 to 6 months.2 Plan to keep doing your prescribed exercises for at least 2 months.2 Building strength beforehand with knee strengthening exercises may also help you feel more prepared.
Which Activities Can I Return To?
Share your goals and ask how they fit. Unlimited walking, swimming, golf, driving, light hiking, biking, ballroom dancing, and other low impact sports are realistic after total knee replacement, while running, jumping, and other high impact sports are usually discouraged.1 Lower impact choices such as golf, cycling, and pickleball can help your new knee last longer.2 Total knee replacement will not let you do more than you could before arthritis developed, so clear expectations matter.1
What Are the Risks, and How Will We Reduce Them?
Serious complications such as joint infection occur in fewer than 2% of cases, and blood clots in the leg veins are among the more common complications.1 Scarring occasionally limits motion, which usually improves with physical therapy and range of motion exercises.1 Ask what prevention plan we will follow for clots and infection, and what warning signs should prompt a call to our office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does total knee replacement surgery take?
The procedure usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Afterward, you spend several hours in the recovery room while your recovery from anesthesia is monitored.1
When can you drive after total knee replacement?
You can usually drive once you no longer take opioid pain medicine and your strength and reflexes have returned to a more normal state. We will help you decide when it is safe.2
Can you kneel after total knee replacement?
Yes, kneeling is allowed, though it is sometimes uncomfortable. It is not harmful to your new knee.1
How long will your knee stay swollen after surgery?
Mild to moderate swelling can last about 3 to 6 months. More noticeable swelling is common in the first few days or weeks.2
Where can you meet with a knee surgeon in Naples, FL?
Our office is at the Orthopedic Center of Florida, 3530 Kraft Road, Suite 201, in Naples. We welcome you from Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and surrounding communities.
Preparing for Your Knee Replacement Consultation in Naples
Writing down your questions before your visit helps you leave with answers instead of uncertainty. When you are ready to talk through total knee replacement, you can request an appointment at our Naples office, and we will build a plan around your knee and your goals.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Total Knee Replacement. OrthoInfo.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Activities After Knee Replacement. OrthoInfo.
About
Courtney Bell, M.D. is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and hip and knee joint replacement specialist at the Orthopedic Center of Florida in Naples, FL. She earned her medical degree and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Oregon Health & Science University, then a fellowship in Adult Reconstruction at The Rothman Orthopedic Institute. Her care includes the direct anterior approach for hip replacement and fracture care for Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and surrounding communities.
