Exercise like Pilates is excellent in strengthening and stabilising your joints. Whether you’ve had hip or knee surgery or not, you are likely to benefit from this form of exercise.
How to speed up your recovery after a hip or knee replacement surgery
My patients often ask if there’s anything they can do to recover more quickly after hip or knee replacement surgery. The good news is: yes, absolutely – but it’s a team effort. Recovery depends not just on the operation itself, but on everything that happens before, during and after the procedure.
In my practice, we follow a comprehensive, patient-focused approach – in line with international best practice – that starts well before surgery day and is designed to support a smooth, confident recovery every step of the way.
Before your surgery: Laying the groundwork for a strong recovery
A large part of recovery success starts in the weeks leading up to surgery. During this time, our goal is to make sure every patient is fully prepared – medically, physically and emotionally – and to identify anything that might delay or complicate recovery.
That’s why we take a team-based, holistic approach. Together with our clinic sister, physiotherapist, anaesthetists, and dietitian, I work closely with each patient to prepare them for surgery and beyond.
Here’s what to expect before your operation:
- Anaesthetic clinic: Every patient meets with an anaesthetist to discuss the risks and benefits of surgery. The anaesthetist will assess your overall health and suitability for anaesthesia. If there’s anything that could impact your recovery, we’ll work with you to address it – even if it means postponing your surgery slightly to optimise your condition.
- Pre-op physiotherapy: Our physiotherapist will meet with you to explain your rehabilitation journey and show you how to use crutches correctly. Understanding what to expect can help reduce anxiety and boost confidence.
- Nursing support: Our clinic sister is on hand before and after your procedure to answer questions, monitor your progress, and offer reassurance when you need it most.
- Nutritional guidance: If your BMI is high or there are other dietary concerns, our dietitian will work with you on a tailored eating plan to support healing and recovery.
On the day of the surgery
By the time your surgery day arrives, you should feel informed, confident and calm – and your loved ones should too.
- Staggered admissions: We schedule admissions carefully to reduce waiting times and minimise stress before your procedure.
- Surgical techniques to aid recovery: During the procedure, my team and I use techniques that reduce surgical trauma, swelling, and post-operative pain. This makes it easier for patients to begin moving sooner – which leads to better outcomes.
- Getting you moving early: With the help of our physiotherapist, most patients are up and walking on the same day as their surgery. There’s strong evidence that early mobility leads to faster and safer recoveries.
Does robotic-assisted surgery impact recovery time?
Many patients ask if robotic-assisted surgery shortens recovery time. While robotic tools can improve surgical precision, they don’t automatically lead to faster recovery – and not all patients are candidates for this approach.
What really makes the biggest difference? Preparation before the procedure and how committed you are to your rehabilitation plan afterwards. Whether or not robotic tools are used, every patient in our care receives high-quality, personalised treatment and support.
After surgery: Staying on track
We’ll work closely with you throughout your rehabilitation – from physiotherapy and dietary advice to ongoing monitoring. We also encourage you to prepare your home environment and support system in advance to make recovery easier.
For eligible patients, we offer access to the mymobility app (by Zimmer Biomet). This app supports you at home by:
- Tracking pain and progress
- Sending reminders and rehab tips
- Helping you stay in touch with our team
You’ll also continue to be supported by our clinic sister, who will monitor your progress and answer any questions – and by our physiotherapist and dietitian, as needed.
Most importantly, your active participation is key. Taking your pain medicine as prescribed, managing swelling, and sticking to your rehab plan are essential to getting the best results.
Recovery is a journey
Our holistic approach – with early preparation, a dedicated care team, personalised tools like mymobility, and patient commitment – leads to excellent outcomes for our patients.
But it’s important to keep your expectations realistic. Even with the best preparation and support, full recovery from hip or knee replacement surgery usually takes 6 to 9 months.
Visit our knowledge hub for more informative articles about what to expect from your knee or hip surgery: https://orthopaedichealth.co.za/knowledge-hub/
References
- https://www.bjaed.org/article/S1743-1816(17)30096-3/fulltext
- https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/1741-7015-11-37.pdf
- https://journaloei.scholasticahq.com/article/77444
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27940457/
Related articles
How the mymobility app supports your knee or hip replacement journey
Here’s what you need to know about infections after knee or hip replacement surgery
Top 5 concerns after knee or hip replacement surgery (and when they’re actually a problem)
Related Posts
