What happens during knee replacement surgery?

With total knee replacement, your doctor is replacing the joint surfaces of your knees, not the bone. Total knee replacement surgery involves replacing one or more of the knee’s three compartments (inside, outside and underneath the kneecap) with a man-made surface of metal and plastic. With partial knee replacement, your surgeon replaces only one part of your knee joint, most commonly the inside or medial compartment.

Our leading-edge surgical knee reconstruction treatment options include:

• Tibial osteotomy: some patients may be candidates for this non-replacement procedure that realigns the limb and preserves knee function 
• Knee arthroplasty: surgical replacement of the surface of the knee joint to decrease pain and increase mobility
• MAKOplasty: an innovative robotic partial and total knee replacement surgery that targets the specific disease area and preserves bone, soft tissue and ligaments for more natural knee function post-surgery

Knee replacement recovery

You can expect to spend one to two days in the hospital after knee replacement. Some patients may be candidates for outpatient surgery, with a return home the same day as surgery without overnight recovery time in the hospital.

You will be on your feet bearing weight the day of surgery. Most patients have a home health care nurse and physical therapist come to their house three times a week. This is a vital part of the recovery process to help you regain your strength and mobility. You’ll engage in therapy for six to 12 weeks after surgery and will be off work for at least six weeks.

What happens during hip replacement surgery?

With hip arthroplasty (hip replacement surgery), your surgeon will remove damaged cartilage and bone from your hip joint and replace them with new, man-made parts. Your specific situation will determine how to best access the hip joint. The incision may be on the back (posterior), right or left side (lateral) or front (anterior) side of the hip.

Hip replacement recovery

You can expect to spend one to two days in the hospital, and will be bearing weight and walking the day of surgery. Some patients may be candidates for outpatient surgery, with a return home the same day as surgery without overnight recovery time in the hospital.

Our surgeons utilize a variety of different surgical approaches including posterior, direct anterior, and direct lateral. The approach is specifically selected for each patient depending on various factors including patient anatomy, activity level, etc. The outcomes for these three approaches to hip replacement are similar by three to six months following the operation. You should expect to be off work for six weeks and will require six to 12 weeks of physical therapy to ensure a full recovery.  

Why choose Ohio State for joint replacement surgery?

Comprehensive Care: As an academic medical center, we have access to the full range of medical specialists and can coordinate all of your care. Our orthopedists also manage a large volume of post-operative complications following total joint replacement performed at outside facilities throughout the state of Ohio. 

Pioneers in Technology: We were the first hospital in Ohio to offer surgery using robotic-assisted technology. MAKOplasty® utilizes a robotic arm system that helps doctors achieve a new level of precision in knee or hip replacement surgery. Patients who have this surgery at Ohio State benefit from smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, less physical therapy and quicker recovery time. 

Diagnostic Expertise: We have trained experts who collaborate as an entire team, including physicians, clinicians and researchers from Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, Imaging, Sports Medicine, Nutrition and any other departments that can play a role in your treatment. We provide patients the best, most personalized treatment options available for hip and knee pain.

Access to a Digital Health Coach: You can easily follow your joint replacement care plan using Care Companion, an interactive, personalized MyChart feature available through the Ohio State MyHealth mobile app.It notifies you with medication reminders, health-tracking tasks, educational content and periodic check-ins. A to-do list helps you manage tasks and stay on track.

Research: Through collaborations with Ohio State researchers and medical device manufacturers, our physicians design and develop hip and knee replacement components, including a more flexible structural device for total hip arthroplasty. We also lead clinical trials and scientific research projects that look for new and better ways to treat osteoarthritis and other degenerative conditions.

Care Companion Program

This service has an interactive, individualized care plan available with MyChart.

Learn more