Your surgeon's choice of prostheses and techniques will depend upon many factors, including your age and size, the nature of your disease or injury, the condition of your bones, and your activity level. Joint replacement is major surgery, but don't expect lots of bed rest after the procedure. Physical therapy will be a must, and at first you'll rely on a walker or crutches, then graduate to a cane. By three months, you'll start to feel like your old self, and within six months to a year you will probably forget you've had surgery at all. With their new joints, people who previously found sitting or walking painful can not only move with ease but also enjoy sports such as bicycling, swimming, bowling, and golfing.
Doctors caution, however, against high-impact activities such as running, football, and basketball.
Successful as they are, replacement joints are still not as durable and friction-free as their healthy, natural counterparts. Over time, the replacements can wear out, necessitating a repeat procedure for younger, more active patients.