General information only. Not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for an assessment.

What is it?

A joint replacement is an operation to replace a worn or damaged knee or hip with a man-made joint.

Exercise starts soon after the operation. Most people can do everyday activities after about 6 weeks, but it can take a year or more to feel the full benefit. Every person is different.

Common causes

The most common reason for a replacement is osteoarthritis. This is when a joint becomes stiff and painful as the surfaces wear down
Other reasons include injury, or other types of arthritis

When to get urgent help

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

you have pain and swelling in your leg, and you find it hard to breathe or have chest pain — this could be a blood clot in the lungs
your new hip suddenly becomes very painful, your leg looks shorter or turned, and you cannot stand on it

Do not drive yourself. Ask someone to drive you, or call 999 for an ambulance.

Do not drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to drive you, or call 999 for an ambulance.

Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:

your calf is painful, swollen, warm or red — this can be a sign of a blood clot
your wound is red, hot, swollen, very sore, or leaking fluid
you have a high temperature, or feel hot and shivery
your pain is getting much worse instead of slowly better

You can call 111 or get help from NHS 111 online. You can also contact the hospital team who did your operation.

How physio can help

Following your surgeon's instructions, and building on your hospital exercises
Helping you get stronger and walk further, and move from crutches to a stick to no aid when ready
Practising everyday tasks, like stairs and getting in and out of the car
Home visits if travelling is hard in the early weeks

Everyone is different. We'll talk through what is likely to help you, and be honest if something else would suit you better.

What you can do at home

Do the exercises your hospital team gave you, little and often.
Get up and walk around for a few minutes every hour during the day.
Raise your leg and use ice packs (wrapped in a towel) if your team has said this is OK.
Follow your surgeon's advice about driving and returning to work.
Take the medicines you were given in the way the hospital told you.

Stop anything that makes your pain much worse, and get advice if you're not sure. Don't stop taking any medicine you've been prescribed without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Treatments that may help

Pre- and post-surgery rehab — 45 minutes, £60
Home visits — 60 minutes, £95
Initial assessment — 50 minutes, £65