Knee replacement surgery is one of the most popular surgical operations in the United States today, with 3.5 million performed annually in the United States by 2030. Most patients will benefit from less discomfort and a more active lifestyle due to the operation. However, for some people, the recovery and outcome of a knee replacement are not what they expected.
As a healthcare professional, I observe numerous errors that patients make after knee replacement. Most mistakes are not intentional, but some are. Yes, we are talking about you, exercise skippers. All jokes aside, we’re here to assist you in healing as much as humanly feasible.
So, if you are considering or have already had knee replacement surgery, keep the following points in mind and avoid the mistakes listed below. Let’s get started!
Mistake 01: Being Unprepared For Limitations Following Surgery
There will be severe discomfort and functional impairment following this major operation for an extended time. Certainly, weeks, if not months, after the procedure. You will be unable to drive for at least six weeks following surgery and will be unable to climb stairs at first. According to a 2018 study, 17.2 percent of 134 persons with knee replacements fell at least once within six months of their procedure. It is critical to have a strategy for how you will manage throughout this time. This includes simple details such as:
⦁ Will you require further assistance if you live alone?
⦁ Do you have stairs in your house? Could you relocate your bed downstairs?
⦁ What methods will you use to prepare and cook meals?
⦁ Do you need to buy equipment to assist you in washing, such as a shower stool?
⦁ How will you go to your check-ups and physical therapy?
Mistake 02: Taking Insufficient Pain Medication
As I tell every patient, you will have pain following knee replacement surgery. While every effort is made to reduce the need for narcotic pain drugs, taking the prescribed medication on time and on schedule is critical.
Medication is required following surgery to assist in controlling the inflammation induced by the major operation and make pain manageable, so you can heal. If your knee discomfort is severe, you will be unable to sleep, which will slow your recovery. Furthermore, if your pain level is too high, you will be unable to complete the necessary mobility and other physical treatment for your rehabilitation.
Mistake 03: Pushing Yourself Too Far, Too Soon
Doing too much too soon can be a trap, especially for highly fit people eager to resume their activities. Recovery following knee replacement surgery requires a delicate balance. You must endure some pain, but not too much and not for too long.
If you overdo it, you may be unable to repeat your workouts for the rest of the day or a few days because your knee is too painful or swollen. This is what I call a boom-bust cycle. When you do too much when you’re feeling good, you end up getting laid up because you overdid it. A decent rule of thumb is that soreness and swelling after exercise should reduce rapidly within an hour or two, allowing you to repeat it multiple times each day. Ice packs, medicine (as previously indicated), and adequate sleep, rest, and nourishment can help with recovery. Surgeons all across the world highly advise patients to avoid high-impact activities even after they have recovered.
Mistake 04: Using the Wrong Pillow
When recovering following a knee replacement, it is essential to keep your knee straight. Those who sleep with their knee bent on a “knee replacement pillow” may develop a little bend in their knee that will remain forever. Many knee replacement pillows are advertised online, but your best option is a “pillow wedge” or just a mountain of three pillows. You should be able to relax with the pillows under your leg for at least 30 minutes without causing further stress or discomfort to your knee.
Mistake 05: Doing Too Little Movement or Rehabilitation
It is essential to start getting up and doing activities again after the first few weeks. According to research, people who live alone while recovering from a knee replacement had better results than those who live with a caretaker. This is because the individual living alone is performing all of their activities of daily living (ADLs) and making that knee function after a knee replacement!
Most patients find that moving alleviates discomfort to a certain extent. So, while the first few knees bends or steps of walking may be unpleasant, it is usual for this to decrease dramatically with more repetitions. You should try to accomplish a little bit more each week.
However, don’t go from chores to an hour of strolling at Walmart. Doing a little more each week will result in decreased discomfort, severe pain, and edema. For the best outcomes, you must perform your physical therapy exercises and often walk throughout the day.
Mistake 06: Not Doing Enough Before Surgery
The healthier and more active you are before surgery, the easier your recovery will be. Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you prepare to fail,” You must prepare your body before undergoing major surgery. Some patients prefer to use physical therapy as part of a PRE-hab program. Prehab is used for two major reasons. To begin, you can strengthen your muscles before surgery so that you can cope better with the procedure. Following surgery, there is always a period of severely reduced activity during which muscle size and strength are lost. As a result, the more you have before surgery, the better.
The second major reason for performing pre-surgery workouts is that they will be comparable to post-surgery therapy. You may therefore train your body how to perform these actions so that they become second nature to you. Your body will feel different after surgery, and it will take time to regain complete control. Having a strong recall of how workouts should be done and how they should feel can help speed up this process.
Few Things To Remember:
Food Plays An Important Part:
Food is an important aspect of healing immediately after surgery and later on. What’s remarkable is that food is nearly never mentioned in our standard medical practice.
⦁ Were you informed that protein is extremely vital in wound healing?
⦁ Were you advised that some foods might cause inflammation and irritation inside your joints, leading to pain?
When you have osteoarthritis, it is critical to watch what you eat and ensure you are fueling your body with the correct nutrients. It is critical to prioritize fruits and vegetables, excellent protein sources, and other entire foods.
Most individuals are unaware that diet might contribute to arthritic discomfort. Some people may be more sensitive to food categories like processed sugar and/or gluten, but not everyone will be affected in the same way.
A knowledgeable doctor will always guide you on what foods to consume, prioritize protein, and what to look for when grocery shopping to ensure you’re properly nourishing your body.
Do Not Lose Hope In Your Adventures!
Just because you’ve had a joint replacement doesn’t mean you have to limit what you can do in the future.
You can retrain yourself to squat.
You can retrain yourself to land.
You may re-learn how to use the stairs.
You can resume your travels and long-distance walks.
All of this is feasible if the correct actions are taken.
Make sure you have appropriate strength and a proper range of motion, and continue to develop your stamina- the world is yours!
Don’t undervalue yourself.
Conclusion:
It is quite feasible to have a successful knee replacement while still enjoying life. Recognize that there are things beyond your control and elements that can boost your chances of success.
My ultimate objective is to assist you in getting on the correct track so that you can go on all your adventures.
Don’t be overwhelmed by this list of things to do following a knee replacement. Keep in mind that everyone’s progress will differ.
As long as you continue to do everything you can to assist your knee in regaining function, these ideas can aid you along the way.