Patient Information
Frequently Asked Questions
At Total Joint Care, we know that preparing for knee surgery and navigating your recovery can raise a lot of questions. We are here to guide and support you every step of the way, from your first consultation to full recovery.
Here are some of the most common questions we receive from our patients:
General guidelines regarding length of stay are provided below:
- ACL reconstruction: Same day discharge or overnight (< 24 hours) stay
- Knee arthroscopy: Same day discharge
- Knee replacement
- Partial knee replacement: Majority discharged day after operation
- Total knee replacement: Majority discharged day after operation
- Meniscal repair: Day surgery
- Patella stabilisation: Same day discharge or overnight (< 24 hours) stay
- Realignment osteotomy: Overnight to 2 day stay
After surgery, you will spend 1–2 hours in the recovery room, where you’ll be closely monitored. Once stable, you’ll be moved to the ward. Begin walking (with assistance) the same day or day after surgery using a frame.
- Progress to crutches or sticks when you're ready.
- Work with physiotherapists to start early rehabilitation.
Our team will ensure you are well-supported, comfortable, and confident at every step.
Yes, your surgical wound will be covered with a dressing.
- The dressing usually stays in place for about 10–14 days and we recommend you to keep the dressings/wound dry during this time.
- At your first post-operative review (around 2 weeks after surgery), the dressing will be removed, your wound will be checked and stitches removed if appropriate.
Keeping your dressing intact and dry helps ensure a smooth healing process.
Managing your comfort is a priority. You will receive:
- Regular pain medications while in hospital.
- Ice therapy to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Advice to elevate your leg whenever you are resting.
Upon discharge, you will be provided with pain relief medications and instructed on how to take them. Don not worry — you will never be sent home without clear instructions for staying comfortable.
Physiotherapy starts the day of or the day after surgery. Initially, it will focus on:
- Walking safely with aids.
- entle knee bending and straightening exercises.
Once home, outpatient physiotherapy continues for several weeks and possibly months depending on the operation.
Early, consistent physiotherapy is key to excellent long-term results.
Knee surgery will affect your brake response time whilst driving. After your surgery, you may be prescribed strong painkillers (opioids), which may make you drowsy and impair your ability to drive safely.
A safe return to driving depends on the operation being performed, which knee was operated on and whether you drive and automatic or manual car. General guidelines are provided below.
- Knee arthroscopy: 2 weeks
- ACL reconstruction: 6 weeks
- Osteotomy: 6 weeks
- Knee replacement: 6 weeks
In addition to the timeframes provided above, you must be able to mobilise without gait aids (crutches, walking sticks), not be taking strong painkillers and have a good, relatively pain-free range of motion in the affected knee. You should be able to perform emergency manoeuvres.
This depends on the nature of your job:
- Desk-based work: generally around 6–8 weeks post-surgery.
- Manual or physical work: may require up to 12 weeks or more.
We will discuss your individual situation at your follow-up visits to ensure a safe and sustainable return to work.
Swelling is expected and can persist for up to 3 months, gradually reducing over time. You can help manage swelling by:
- Using ice packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Elevating your leg regularly.
- Wearing compression stockings if recommended.
Swelling is a normal part of healing — we will show you how to manage it and monitor your progress closely.
- Short-haul flights (under 4 hours) are generally safe after 6 weeks.
- Long-haul flights (over 4 hours) should be avoided for at least 3 months post-op.
When you are ready to travel, we will advise you on important precautions to minimise the risk of blood clots.
Contact us immediately or seek medical care if you notice:
- Redness, warmth, or drainage from the wound.
- Fever above 38°C.
- Severe calf pain or swelling (which may suggest a blood clot).
- Sudden chest pain or shortness of breath (urgent emergency).
You will have a detailed follow-up schedule:
- First review around 10–14 days after surgery to check the wound and overall recovery.
- Further reviews at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months to assess your progress and adjust your rehab as needed.
Each appointment is an important milestone on your path to a full recovery.
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At Total Joint Care, your journey to recovery is our priority. With leading orthopaedic expertise, personalised care plans, and genuine support, we will help you get back to doing what you love — faster and stronger.
our range of cutting-edge treatment options designed to get you back to living life without knee pain.