Knee replacement surgeries have become pretty much common in recent times. These surgeries are often suggested for those patients who have severe osteoarthritis. As a result of osteoarthritis, the weight bearing surfaces of the knee joint are affected and the person experiences a lot of pain and discomfort. Now knee replacement surgeries are advised for such patients to ease the pain and discomfort caused by osteoarthritis. The type of surgery, whether it is a double or total knee replacement or partial knee replacement, decides the course of the patient’s recovery. Here is a look at knee replacement surgery recovery.
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Recovering from a Knee Replacement Surgery
Immediately Post Surgery
The recovery starts from the time the operation is done. After the knee replacement surgery, the patients stay in the hospital is for 3 to 5 days. It would depend on how fast the patient recovers because it has to be made sure that the patient is able to stand on his or her feet. And carry out the required minimum activities which are a part of our routine. The amount of joint pain the person is experiencing also has to be observed.
Getting There
Now, once the surgery is over and the patient is back home, in a couple of days or so, he or she starts with physiotherapy. Gentle stretching and very light knee exercises are done by the patient with the help of the physiotherapist. These exercises also help the patient regain the normal range of motion.
Watching What You Eat
Be it a double knee replacement surgery recovery, or a total knee replacement surgery recovery, or a partial knee replacement recovery keeping tabs on the diet by the patient is important. That is because the patient cannot afford to gain weight because the pressure exerted on the knee or knees would increase. So, a balanced diet is what is the best bet. In addition to this, to deal with the overall issue of nutrition, the doctor might prescribe some supplements.
Some More Exercises
In around a few weeks from the surgery, slowly the patient can graduate to slightly heavier exercises and activities for knee replacement surgery recovery. One of the most important exercises is walking. A walker or a crutch is used by the patient for walking initially. This phase is really tough in the first couple of weeks after the knee replacement surgery.
Precautions
Those who have had their knee replacement surgery, another important knee replacement surgery recovery aspect is to avoid tripping, twisting, and falling. This is necessary to prevent loosening or breaking of the freshly replaced joint. Moving slowly and carefully, or using supports while walking, will minimize the chances of a fall.
Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery Period
As previously described, the type of surgery and how invasive it was, will have an impact on the knee replacement surgery recovery time. A total knee replacement surgery takes around 6 to 8 weeks for the patient to be able to walk properly, without any support. Around the 8th week, the patient can indulge in light exercises. Similarly, if the patient has to encounter climbing stairs, the therapist will work with him or her and the patient can climb and get down the stairs without any support in about 6 weeks. As against this, the partial knee surgery recovery takes less time. Hence, total knee replacement surgery along with the things mentioned here are very crucial for a speedy recovery.
Driving and then going to work, (if applicable), takes anywhere between 4 to 10 weeks. It can vary a bit, depending on the speed of the patient’s knee replacement surgery recovery. In driving especially, the side of the patient’s operation and type of car is what matters. Driving can be done, as long as the patient is able to bend the knees comfortably to operate the controls. After a few months, the patient can regain his full range of activities involved in his or her daily routine. The follow-ups would also be required regularly, for a couple of years, after the surgery.
Knee replacement surgery recovery also involves being aware of the knee replacement surgery recovery complications. For instance, blood clots, which can be dealt with by exercising. Stiffness and loss of motion of the knee is another common effect of the surgery. Hence the more aware the patient is about the knee replacement complications, the better it would be. Eventually in all this, the mindset of the patient too is important. If the patient gets frustrated and depressed, it is not going to work. Take Care!
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.