Total Knee Replacement: The Questions Patients Actually Ask — Answered by Physicians
Total Knee Replacement generates some of the most repetitive phone calls in any orthopedics practice: stairs, driving, swelling, and the six-week questions that flood every ortho front desk. PrepQ, a patient-education platform built by physicians and operated by PrepQ LLC, maintains 61 physician-written answers about total knee replacement as part of a library of more than 7,500 answers covering 700-plus procedures across 14 specialties. Practices that subscribe to PrepQ give their patients a dedicated phone number to text or call at any hour, and the platform replies instantly with content the practice's own clinicians have reviewed and approved in advance. Questions outside the approved library are referred back to the office, and any message that suggests urgent symptoms is directed to 911 or the practice instead of being answered by software. The result: patients arrive prepared, day-of cancellations drop, and staff stop repeating the same total knee replacement instructions dozens of times a week.
Real total knee replacement questions from our physician-reviewed library
A sample of the 61 total knee replacement answers in PrepQ's library. Before any practice goes live, its own clinicians review and approve every answer — and can customize each one to their protocols.
Can I climb stairs after knee replacement?
Yes, and your physical therapist will practice stair climbing with you before discharge. The general technique is "up with the good, down with the bad" — lead with your non-operated leg going up and your operated leg going down, using the handrail. Most patients manage stairs within the first few days, though it will feel challenging at first and improve steadily over the following weeks.
Can I have an MRI after a knee replacement?
In most cases, yes — modern knee replacement implants are MRI compatible. The metal can create some artifact (distortion) on the images around the knee, but MRI of other body parts is generally fine. Always inform the MRI technician and radiologist that you have a joint replacement. They may need to use specific imaging protocols. Confirm with your surgeon if you have any questions about your specific implant.
Can I have both knees replaced at the same time?
Simultaneous bilateral knee replacement (both knees at once) is occasionally performed but carries higher risks than staged surgery (one knee at a time, 3 to 6 months apart). Staged surgery is safer and is the standard recommendation for most patients. Your surgeon will discuss whether you are a candidate for simultaneous replacement.
Can I kneel after a knee replacement?
Kneeling is safe for the implant but can be uncomfortable, particularly in the first year. Many patients find it easier with a cushion. Some patients never fully regain comfortable kneeling; others kneel without difficulty. The implant itself is not damaged by kneeling. Discuss this with your surgeon if kneeling is important to your daily life or activities.
Can I lose weight before knee replacement to improve results?
Yes — even modest weight loss before surgery improves outcomes. Excess weight increases surgical complexity, bleeding risk, implant stress, and complication rates. Studies show that patients with BMI below 40 have significantly better results and fewer complications. Many surgeons set a BMI threshold before scheduling surgery. Losing even 5 to 10% of body weight before the procedure can meaningfully improve your recovery and long-term implant lifespan.
Do I need a CPM machine after knee replacement?
Continuous passive motion (CPM) machines passively move the knee while you rest. Their use has become less common as research shows that active physical therapy produces equivalent or better results. Many surgeons no longer routinely prescribe CPMs. If your surgeon recommends one, follow their instructions. If they do not, active exercise with your physical therapist is the evidence-based standard.
Do I need to stop blood thinners before knee replacement?
Whether a blood thinner needs to be held before knee replacement depends on the specific medicine, why you take it, and your situation. Never stop a blood thinner on your own, as that carries its own risk. The doctor who prescribes it, along with your surgical team, will tell you whether to hold it and the exact timing for stopping and restarting that's right for you.
Do you have information about Partial knee replacement
Partial knee replacement is a general term for surgery that replaces only the damaged part of the knee joint, rather than the whole joint. It is one option some people consider for knee problems. Whether it fits a particular situation is something to discuss with a provider, who can explain how it works and what it involves.
How do I know if I need a knee replacement?
You may be a candidate for knee replacement if you have severe knee arthritis causing daily pain that limits your ability to walk, climb stairs, or sleep, and conservative treatments — such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and weight loss — have not provided enough relief. X-rays showing significant joint space loss help confirm the decision. The final call is based on how much the pain affects your quality of life, not your age or X-ray findings alone.
How do I manage pain at home after knee replacement?
Take your prescribed pain medications on schedule, especially the first week. Ice your knee for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day — wrap ice in a cloth to protect skin. Elevate your leg above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling. Do your prescribed exercises even when uncomfortable — movement is medicine. Avoid alcohol while on narcotic medications. If pain is not controlled, call your surgical team rather than waiting.
Your staff answers these 61 questions by phone. PrepQ answers them by text, instantly.
PrepQ gives your orthopedics practice a dedicated number patients text or call 24/7. Physician-written answers, approved by your doctors, delivered in English and Spanish — with urgent messages escalated to your office or 911, never improvised. HIPAA-compliant, BAA provided, no EHR integration required.