Total Knee Replacement

Knee arthritis progresses gradually, and most patients spend months or years managing symptoms with non-surgical care before reaching the threshold for surgery. You may be a candidate for TKA if you are experiencing:

• Severe knee pain that limits daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, rising from a chair, or getting in and out of a car
• Pain at rest or at night that disrupts sleep and prevents comfortable sitting or lying down
• Failure of conservative treatments — including physical therapy, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections — to provide lasting relief
• Chronic knee stiffness that restricts range of motion and makes the joint feel locked or difficult to bend and straighten
• Visible deformity — a bowlegged or knock-kneed appearance caused by uneven cartilage loss
• Inability to walk reasonable distances without stopping due to pain, limiting participation in work, social activities, and exercise
• Declining quality of life and independence despite ongoing non-surgical management

If these symptoms sound familiar, call MOS at (301) 515-0900 to schedule a consultation with one of our adult reconstruction specialists. The decision to proceed with TKA is always made collaboratively with your surgeon. There is no single right time, and we will help you determine when surgery makes sense for your life and goals.

Modern Rapid-Recovery Protocols

The era of multi-day bed rest after TKA is over. Today's evidence-based Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols start before your admission and continue through your return to full activity:

• Day of surgery — Most patients stand and take their first steps with a physical therapist on the same day as surgery, or by the morning after at the latest. Early mobilization reduces clot risk, accelerates muscle recovery, and improves long-term outcomes.
• First two weeks: Wound monitoring, swelling management, progressive range-of-motion exercises, and gait training. Most patients are walking with a cane or walker and can return to driving at approximately two weeks (right-knee patients operating automatic vehicles; left-knee patients often sooner).
• Six weeks: The majority of activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, cooking, light errands, and office work, are well within reach. Many patients transition off walking aids.
• Three months: Most recreational activities including walking, cycling, swimming, and light hiking are feasible. Pain is substantially reduced and function continues to improve.
• One year — Full recovery is typically complete at 12 months, though many patients feel dramatically better well before that milestone.

MOS In-House Physical Therapy

Maryland Orthopedic Specialists offers in-house physical therapy coordinated directly with your surgical team. Your PT program is tailored to your procedure, your baseline function, and your recovery goals: no referral lag, no communication gaps.

How Long Will Your Implant Last?

Modern TKA implants are extraordinarily durable. Registry data and long-term cohort studies consistently show survival rates of 90% or greater at 20 years, meaning the large majority of patients never require revision surgery. Survival is even higher in older patients; younger, higher-demand patients face modestly greater cumulative revision risk over a lifetime. This is a factor your surgeon will discuss with you. Following activity guidelines, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active all protect your implant.