Total Joint Replacement — Total Knee Arthroplasty

Mountain Orthopaedics · Mountain Ortho Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with walker/crutches from DOS; advance to crutches when able; unprotected WB when no limp (wk 6+); D/C to cane if limp at wk 6

Key Restrictions

CPM 0-120 started DOS; ROM goals mandatory - notify MD immediately if not met (0-100 by DC, 0-110 wk 2, 0-120 wk 4); max expected ROM 0-135; extension emphasis equivalent to ACL rehab

Timeline & Phases

DOS (OOB to chair, WBAT walker/crutches, CPM 0-120, ankle pumps, quad sets, stair instructions, OT eval for home aids); POD 1-3 (OOB 2x/day, advance to crutches if able, CPM, ROM exercises, stair training); POD 6-30 (CKC, ROM: 0-110 wk 2, 0-120 wk 4); Wks 1-6 (crutch/cane per MD, stationary bike ASAP goal 15-20 min 3x/wk, aggressive CKC); Wks 6-24 (unprotected WB if no limp, gait training, stationary bike 20-30 min/day)

Notes

Comprehensive joint program; spinal anesthetic + femoral and sciatic nerve blocks; CPM started DOS; most patients DC POD 2; extension emphasized as aggressively as ACL; OT eval for home aids (reachers, toilet risers); stationary bike initiated ASAP

Surgeon / Author

Mountain Ortho Clinical Team