When fully recovered, most patients can expect to return to work — unless your type of work is not advisable for people with artificial joints. Examples of these include construction work, certain types of carpentry, and occupations that involve repeated high climbing or lifting. You should discuss your situation with your doctor.
You may also be advised to avoid certain activities, including some athletics, as they may place excessive stress your new joint. Examples of these activities include:

Hip/Knee

• Skiing (snow or water)
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Contact sports
• Distance running
• Frequent jumping

Shoulder

• Any activity involving lifting or pushing heavy objects
• Any activity that places excessive stress on your shoulder joint
• Hammering and other forceful arm/shoulder movements
• Boxing and other arm/shoulder impact sports

After Joint Replacement, a Good Rule of Thumb is that Acceptable Physical Activities Should:

• Not cause pain, including pain felt later
• Not jar the joint
• Not place the joint in the extremes of its range of motion
• Be pleasurable

The success of your joint replacement will strongly depend on how well you follow your orthopaedic surgeon’s instructions. As time passes, you will potentially experience a dramatic reduction in joint pain and a significant improvement in your ability to participate in daily activities. Remember, however, that joint replacement surgery will not allow you to do more than you could before you developed your joint problems.

It’s important to have realistic expectations. For example, artificial joints have limitations:

• Excessive joint “loading” because of the patient being overweight or strenuous activity, such as running and hiking, may injure the artificial joint.
• The artificial joint will not restore function to the same level as normal, healthy bone.
• The life span of the artificial joint is not infinite. It cannot be expected to equal that of normal, healthy bone.
• Adverse effects may result in a need for additional surgery, including revision or removal of the artificial joint.

Life After Total Joint Replacement

Total joint replacements of the hip, knee, and shoulder have been performed since the 1960s. Today, these procedures have been found to result in significant restoration of function and reduction of pain in 90% to 95% of patients.

However, joint replacement surgery will not allow patients to do more than they could before joint problems developed. Each patient’s physician will recommend the most appropriate level of activity for the patient following joint replacement surgery.

In the weeks following total joint replacement, certain limitations are placed on every patient’s activities. Using a cane or walker may be necessary for several weeks. Kneeling, bending, and jumping will likely be forbidden for the first month. It may be 6 weeks before driving is permitted. The orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist will provide specific recommendations.

When fully recovered, most patients can return to work, although some types of work — such as construction work, certain types of carpentry, and occupations that involve repeated or high climbing — may not be advisable for individuals with a joint replacement. Also, athletic activities that place excessive stress on the joint replacement, such as skiing, basketball, baseball, contact sports, distance running, and frequent jumping, should be avoided.

After joint replacement, a good rule of thumb is that acceptable physical activities should:

• Not cause pain, including pain felt later
• Not jar the joint, as happens with running or jumping
• Not place the joint in the extremes of its range of motion
• Be pleasurable