A total knee replacement is an operation to relieve pain in someone with arthritis of the knee. There are many types of knee replacements, including cemented and uncemented that are made from plastic and metal components. Your surgeon will explain the different types to you and will select the right knee replacement for you. Most knee replacements will last between ten to fifteen years. Knee replacement surgery gives excellent pain relief, and in most cases will improve the range of movement in the joint. Most people will experience a significant improvement in their quality of life, and some will even return to sports such as golf, cycling and swimming.
Exercises following Total Knee Replacement

 Rest postures
It is important to vary your knee position at rest.
• It is good to rest with your legs elevated while you apply an ice pack to reduce any swelling in your knee.
• It is also beneficial to rest with your knee bent to allow the structures at the front of the knee to relax and for the wound to get used to your knee bending.
• It is very important to rest with your knee fully straight – either with a towel rolled under your heel or with your foot resting on a stool (with the knee unsupported). This will allow for the structures at the back of the knee to stretch and relax. Aim to rest in this position for about fifteen minutes every hour. If at first you cannot tolerate fifteen minutes then start with a comfortable period of time and slowly increase this until you can manage fifteen minutes.