What can I do to make my knee replacement last as long as possible?

What shortens implant life

The main long-term problems are wear of the plastic bearing, loosening of the components from the bone, infection and instability. Load and impact speed up wear, so body weight and the type of activity you do matter. Falls can cause fractures around the implant. Infections elsewhere in the body can, rarely, spread to the joint through the bloodstream.

Everyday habits that help

• Keep your weight steady or lose some if you are carrying extra
• Walk, swim, cycle, use the cross-trainer or play golf; these are knee-friendly
• Keep doing your quadriceps and hip exercises, as strong muscles stabilise the knee
• Limit high-impact sport such as running on hard surfaces, jumping and contact sports
• Make your home safer: good lighting, no loose rugs, grab rails where needed

Preventing infection over the years

Treat skin infections, chest infections and urinary infections promptly rather than waiting. Keep your teeth healthy with regular dental care. Tell any doctor or dentist that you have a joint replacement; the need for preventive antibiotics before dental work is decided case by case. If your knee becomes suddenly hot, swollen and painful, seek medical attention the same day.

Regular check-ups

A replaced knee can wear quietly without pain at first. Periodic review with an X-ray allows problems such as bone loss around the components or bearing wear to be picked up early, when treatment is simpler. Your surgeon will advise how often you should be seen, which is often more frequent in the first years and then every few years.

Follow-up in Doha

At Aman Hospital, Dr. Gelber sees patients for long-term follow-up of knee replacements, including those who had surgery abroad. Bring any implant details and previous X-rays so your knee can be monitored properly.