A Guide to Returning to Sexual Activity Following Knee Replacement Surgery

Sex is a normal and an important part of human nature that represents physical, mental and spiritual well-being. This can be a difficult and embarrassing topic for people who have arthritis in their knees to discuss with their doctors. A recent survey of American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeon members found the overwhelming majority of surgeons rarely, if ever, talk with their patients about sex after knee replacement surgery despite the majority of patients who are concerned about it. If you express your concerns to your joint surgeon, he or she can provide guidance on how to safely and comfortably proceed with intercourse even if you have ongoing arthritis.

Joint pain, stiffness and deformity can limit sexual activity if you have knee arthritis. It is important to set realistic expectations and learn how to safely resume sexual activity after knee replacement while avoiding complications. In general, most people can safely resume sexual intercourse between one and three months after surgery.

Sex After a Total Knee Replacement

In the United States, 84% of people who have had knee replacements are sexually active. One of the biggest concerns after total knee replacement is the ability to kneel during activities. This can have a big impact for men and women during sexual interactions. One study in the Journal of Arthroplasty asked people about their sexual function before and after total knee replacement. They reported knee pain, loss of motion and inability to kneel as the most common factors limiting their sexual activity before surgery. It took two months on average for

people in the study to return to sex after total knee replacement. About 60% reported no change in sexual activity, 7% had less sex, 16% stopped having sex, and only 15% reported having more sex.

This study highlights a few important points:

  • Sexual limitations before surgery are not completely eliminated after total knee replacement.
  • You can expect only mild to moderate gains with kneeling during intercourse.
  • You can expect gradual improvement in sexual function up to one year after knee replacement surgery due to diminished pain and improved motion.

Talk to Your Doctor

You should make it a priority to have a discussion with your surgeon about sexual relations after total knee replacement. These guidelines can help to provide realistic expectations.