Tips for Comfortable Travel After Knee Replacement

For many people, knee replacement can be life changing, providing much-needed relief from chronic pain. As you begin to regain your mobility and resume many of your favorite activities, you may begin thinking about traveling again. While the exact timeline for traveling after knee replacement depends on your specific circumstances, it’s generally recommended that you wait at least six weeks to minimize the risk of complications. If you absolutely must travel before the six-week point of your recovery, make sure to consult with your orthopedic physician to ensure the proper precautions are taken.

Once you’ve been medically cleared to travel, the following tips and considerations will help you maximize comfort while reducing the risk of complications.

Important Considerations When Traveling After Knee Replacement

Make sure to keep the following considerations in mind when traveling shortly after knee replacement:

• Blood clot risks
• Medication considerations
• Hydration considerations
• Assistive devices

Blood Clot Risks

The primary concern associated with traveling shortly after knee replacement is an increased risk of blood clots due to remaining immobile for extended periods of time. The greatest risk of blood clots occurs within the first six weeks post-surgery, which is why travel is generally not recommended during this time period. If you must travel early in your knee replacement recovery, the following precautions will help minimize the risk of blood clots:

• Talk to your knee surgeon to determine if stronger blood thinners will be required while traveling
• Try to move around as often as possible while traveling
• Perform foot pumps regularly while seated to promote blood flow in your legs
• Wear a compression stocking to reduce swelling and improve circulation in your legs

Medication Considerations

Make sure your medications are always accessible so that you’re able to maintain your regular dosage schedule. If you’re flying, keep medications in your carry-on luggage, not in your checked bag. If you’re traveling by car, keep your medications with you rather than packed in a bag that won’t be accessible during the drive.

If you’re going to be out of town for an extended period of time, make sure to refill your prescriptions prior to traveling since your surgeon may not be able to prescribe a refill when you’re out of state.

Hydration Considerations

Staying hydrated is important throughout your knee replacement recovery, but it’s especially critical while traveling since dehydration can potentially trigger a blood clot. Bring a large water bottle with you when traveling and make sure to refill it whenever it runs low.

Assistive Devices

If necessary, make sure you arrange for assistive devices such as a wheelchair, cane or walker prior to your trip.

Flying After Knee Replacement

Air travel shortly after knee replacement poses a variety of challenges. Navigating most airports will require lots of walking – from the car to the terminal, through the security checkpoint and then to get to your gate. In addition, you’ll need to sit in a small seat for a prolonged period of time which can be uncomfortable after knee replacement and increase your risk of blood clots.

Following the advice in our discussion of blood clots above will ensure you mitigate these risks. You should also take the following steps to improve your comfort when flying after knee replacement:

• Pick Your Seat – Make sure you select your seat when you book your flight. If you can afford to upgrade to first class, this will be your best option. If not, choose an aisle seat in the section of seats between first class and economy since they typically have a little more leg room. The aisle seat will make it easier to stretch your legs and to get up and move around during the flight. While exit row seats have more leg room, you should avoid this option since you may not be up to assisting other travelers in the event of an emergency.
• Prepare for Airport Security – It’s a good idea to ask your surgeon for a letter stating you have recently undergone knee replacement so that the TSA agents are aware of your situation. You should also wear loose-fitting clothing in case you need to show your incision to the TSA agents if the metal in your implant sets off the metal detectors.
• Get Out of Your Seat Regularly – Sitting for prolonged periods of time in an airplane seat can be uncomfortable after knee replacement, and it can also increase your risk of blood clots. Whenever possible, try to get out of your seat every 15-20 minutes to walk around the cabin. If this isn’t possible due to air turbulence, stretch and flex your leg in the aisle periodically until you’re able to get up and walk around.

Long Drives After Knee Replacement

Traveling by car doesn’t present as many challenges as flying since you won’t have to navigate an airport or be confined in a seat with minimal legroom for hours, but there are still some considerations to keep in mind. The same risk of blood clots exists, so you’ll need to take the precautions discussed above to minimize them.

In addition, the following tips will help make your car travel after knee replacement more comfortable:

• Either sit in the passenger seat with the seat all the way back so you can extend your leg or sit in the back seat with your leg elevated and stretched across the seat
• Plan frequent stops so that you can get out of the car and walk around
• Ask your physical therapist if there are any light exercises you can do while sitting in the car to help with movement and blood flow

Raising the Bar for Knee Replacement on the Western Slope

If you’re considering knee replacement, the skill and experience of your surgeon plays an important role in achieving the best possible outcome. At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, we’ve been raising the bar for knee replacement on the Western Slope since our clinic opened in 2020. Our team includes some of the finest board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons in the area. At CAO, we’re committed to delivering the exceptional patient care you need to restore a pain free life and resume your favorite activities.

Our knee replacement procedures are performed by Dr. Kevin Borchard and Dr. Josh Mares. Dr. Mares specializes in joint replacement surgeries, including knee replacement. Dr. Borchard has completed fellowship training in total joint replacement surgeries and has performed over 1,000 knee replacements using the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System by Stryker Orthopaedics. This advanced technology allows Dr. Borchard and Dr. Mares to perform your surgery with unparalleled levels of precision, resulting in surgical outcomes that consistently exceed industry standards. This exceptional track record of success is one of the primary reasons why Colorado Advanced Orthopedics has been recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals in the country for joint replacement by Healthgrades.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker, the White River Valley, Grand Junction and throughout the Western Slope.