Tips To Recover Post Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee injuries are common for athletes right across the world. Professional footballers, gymnasts, CrossFitters and weightlifters are some of the many athletes who deal with knee issues during their careers.

For those who suffer knee injuries, knee replacement surgery should be the last resort. You should opt for the surgery only when all the avenues to the save the knee have been explored. Once you have decided to go for surgery then you should know that rehabilitation starts right after the surgery.

If you do go through the procedure for a knee replacement, here are a few tips that will help you recover and get you back on your feet as quickly as possible:

Post Knee Replacement Surgery Tips

• Your post surgery rehabilitation actually starts before surgery. Yes, you need to make your muscles stronger before surgery. If you want a good recovery you need to make the muscles around the knee strong and you need to do knee exercises for a few weeks before surgery. You can try exercises like biking or swimming and they will help a lot.
• The post surgery rehabilitation is going to be painful. You need to be prepared in your mind for it. You should not stop your exercises even if it pains. Your therapist will help you initially and once you are ready to the exercises on your own you will have to do it. You need to be strong mentally and not attempt any short cuts.
• Walk at least 3 times a day, once your therapist prescribes it. Walking is most essential, if you cannot do it alone, you can ask your friends or family members to walk with you. You may find walking difficult initially but it will help you recover better and faster.
• After you finish your walking you should ice your knees. This is something which many people forget to do or feel that it is not important. In fact, it is a very important part of your knee rehab process. You need to ice your knee after every physical activity and it will aid in recovery. If there is any swelling it will go down after you ice. Along with ice it is also important to keep your leg elevated most of the time.
• Do not forget to take the medicines that the doctor has prescribed. Usually it would be Tylenol or some such medicine to reduce pain and Eliquis tablets or similar. Whatever the medicine the doctor has prescribed, make sure that you take them on time and regularly and for the full course.
• As time goes you need to increase the range of motion. Your therapist will teach you exercise for range of motion. These range of motion exercises can cause a lot of pain but these are very important otherwise scar tissue can get formed and you may need to go for another surgery. It is totally natural to not want to do the exercises but in the long run the pain will be worth it.
• Get a good walker as it will help you very much initially and as days go you can invest in a good walking stick. Also buy comfortable and soft shoes for your daily walks.
• The most important tip for patients post surgery is to keep their necessary things like the TV remote, mobile phone etc nearby so you limit the amount of strain on your knee.