Get Back On Your Feet | Physiotherapist Recommended Precautions For A Successful Knee Replacement Recovery

Knee replacement surgery is a major medical procedure that involves the replacement of a damaged or diseased knee joint with an artificial joint. This procedure is often recommended to patients who are suffering from severe knee pain or who have lost mobility due to arthritis or injury. After knee replacement surgery, it is crucial to follow the proper precautions and guidelines recommended by a physiotherapist to ensure a successful recovery.

The following are some essential precautions and do's and don'ts that a physiotherapist may advise after knee replacement surgery:

Follow the prescribed rehabilitation program:
After knee replacement surgery, a physiotherapist will create a customized rehabilitation program tailored to your specific needs. It is essential to follow this program diligently to ensure a smooth and successful recovery. The program may include exercises, stretches, and movements to help improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the knee joint.

Keep the incision site clean and dry:
It is vital to keep the incision site clean and dry to prevent infection. A physiotherapist may advise you to cover the incision site with a waterproof dressing while showering or bathing to keep it dry. Avoid submerging the incision site in water until it has completely healed.

Use assistive devices:
After knee replacement surgery, you may need to use assistive devices such as crutches, walkers, or canes to help you move around safely. A physiotherapist can help you choose the right device and provide instructions on how to use it correctly.

Manage pain and swelling:
Pain and swelling are common after knee replacement surgery. Cryotherapy (ice packs or cold compresses) can be done to reduce swelling and pain. Pain medication may also be prescribed to manage discomfort.

Avoid certain movements:
After knee replacement surgery, it is essential to avoid certain movements that can strain or damage the knee joint. A physiotherapist may advise you to avoid twisting, pivoting, or squatting on the affected leg. High-impact activities such as running or jumping should also be avoided.

Wear appropriate footwear:
Wearing appropriate footwear can help support the knee joint and prevent injuries. Shoes with good arch support and cushioning are recommended by the therapist to reduce the impact on the knee joint.

Maintain a healthy weight:
Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce stress on the knee joint and promote a faster recovery. A physiotherapist may recommend a healthy diet and exercise program to help you maintain a healthy weight.

Gradually increase activity level:
After knee replacement surgery, it is essential to gradually increase your activity level to avoid overexerting the knee joint. Gentle exercises and a gradual increase in the intensity and duration of the activity are recommended as the knee joint heals.

Attend follow-up appointments:
It is crucial to attend all follow-up appointments with your physiotherapist and surgeon to monitor your recovery progress. These appointments may include X-rays, physical examinations, and discussions about your rehabilitation program.

Avoid driving until cleared by your surgeon:
After knee replacement surgery, it may take several weeks before you are cleared to drive. A physiotherapist may advise against driving until your surgeon has cleared you to do so.

Knee replacement surgery is a significant procedure that requires proper care and precautions to ensure a successful recovery. Following the advice of a physiotherapist is essential to reduce pain, swelling, and complications and improve mobility and function in the knee joint. By following these precautions and do's and don'ts, you can achieve a smooth and successful recovery after knee replacement surgery.

 

12 Best Postoperative Exercises For Knee Replacement

Total Knee Replacement

The most common questions asked by the patients after the knee replacement are, what is the expected time of recovery? or when can I get back to work? Or when can I start driving? Etc. The answer to these questions is that there is no absolute way to tell how quickly a patient will respond. There is no way to tell what kind of challenges he will face but typically after knee replacement surgery, most people would be expected to return to work between 6 - 12 weeks post-surgery. After knee replacement surgery the patients are encouraged to keep themselves as active as possible and therefore bed rest is discouraged. Certainly, the whole aim of the knee replacement surgery is to keep people active by alleviating their pain and a key part of that is their rehabilitation which helps them to achieve an optimum range of movement, muscle tone, strength, and general level of fitness so that they can live active lives. Physiotherapy is a part of rehabilitation after knee replacement. One of the main risks after the replacement is stiffness and loss of range of movement in the joint. Your physiotherapist designs an exercise program that helps the patient to prevent such risks.

Giving below are some general easy to do knee replacement exercises that require less effort and can be done easily by the patient:

 Ankle pumps: While lying on the bed over your back. Keep your knees extended, bend your ankle up and down as far as you can, repeat with the other leg.

 Knee press: While sitting on the bed, keep your legs straight. Keep a towel roll under your ankle, press down by contracting your thigh muscle. Hold for 10 seconds, relax and repeat with the other leg.

 

Heel slides: While lying on the bed over your back with your knees extended, placing the foot on the surface, slowly slide your heel towards your buttock and then take it back to the starting position. Repeat with another leg.

 

Straight leg raise: While lying on your back with your healthy leg bent and your foot flat on the surface, tighten your thigh and lift your involved leg till 300 keeping the knee straight. Repeat with the other leg.

 

Sitting knee extension: While sitting in a chair, put another chair in front, putting your operated knee on the chair straighten the knee, and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat with another leg.

 

Side-lying abduction: While lying flat on the healthy leg bend your leg forward and raise the operated leg up to 300 and then bring it back to its starting position. Repeat with the other leg.

 

Knee bending: While standing hold on to a supportive surface, bend your operated knee so that your foot touches your buttock, without twisting your knee. Then perform with your uninvolved leg.

 

Hip bending: While standing hold on to a supportive surface, lift your knee by bending at the hip and knee and bring it towards your shoulder. Repeat with your involved leg.

 

Hip abduction: While standing hold on to a supportive surface, bring your operated leg out. Repeat with your healthy leg.

Hip extension: While standing hold on to a supportive surface, keeping your knee straight take your operated leg backward. Then repeat with your healthy leg.

Heel raises: While standing hold on to a supportive surface, lift both heels off the ground. Hold for 10 seconds and then slowly return to the starting position.

Knee bend: While sitting in a chair with your healthy leg cross in front of your operated ankle, push your operated foot backward, assisting with the bending of the knee. Hold for 10 seconds.

 

Initially, the patient uses a walker and then a cane, from the third week there is an increase in strength, endurance, and range of motion. The two weeks after knee replacement are probably the most challenging ones.  Always follow the special instructions of your surgeon or physiotherapist to get back to work.