Winter and knee replacement: how to look after your knee

What’s the best way to care for a newly replaced knee when there’s wintry weather around? YKC’s Dave Duffy offers some simple tips – and explodes a few myths.

As I write, there’s another cold snap heading towards Yorkshire. If you’ve recently had a knee replacement, icy weather does present some issues to be aware of – although they may not be the issues you imagine. So in this post, we’re looking at some facts and myths of managing your new knee in winter.

MYTH: Your new knee needs ‘bedding in’

We hear this quite a lot, but it’s not true. The moment you leave theatre your knee will be fixed in a solid way (we use a special cement) that securely connects the bone to the implant. It will be as strong as it will ever be and doesn’t need any bedding in.

It does, however, need physiotherapy.

Effectively, there are three stages of recovery from a knee replacement. There’s the period immediately after your operation. Then there’s a period of strength building. Finally, through building strength, you regain movement and function. Physio is absolutely essential to this process.

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FACT: You’re at a slightly higher risk of falling on ice

A knee replacement is a significant operation. It’s a very safe one, but for a period afterwards it does take a toll on the muscles around the joint and they might not perform as efficiently as usual. That means your reaction times might be a bit slower than usual too.

If you were to slip on an icy pavement under normal circumstances, you might be able to right yourself or take evasive action. As long as your muscles are in a slightly weakened state, however, they’re less likely to be able to come to the rescue if you slip.

Again, physiotherapy is vital to helping build back the muscle strength that is lost, so you’re better able to cope with ice.

MYTH: You’re at significantly greater risk of bone fracture with a knee implant

Not true. A fall presents a risk of fracture for anybody, especially if you have a degree of osteoporosis (weakening of the bones).

There is a type of fracture specific to implant patients called a periprosthetic fracture. This is a fracture of the bone around an implant. The overall risk is extremely low (roughly 0.3-1% over a lifetime).

Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to guard against falls, particularly when the ground is slippery. If you’re using crutches or walking sticks, don’t be tempted to discard them too soon, and particularly not when the conditions are icy.

Even if you feel the knee is strong enough to walk unaided, aids can be a valuable source of support in wintry conditions. They’re also a visual cue for those around you to give you a little extra time and space.

If you’re venturing out in icy conditions after a recent knee replacement, go steady and take your walking aids with you.

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