At some time in their life, about half of American people will develop knee arthritis. Knee arthritis frequently causes discomfort, stiffness, and restricted mobility. When your knee is severely injured by arthritis or an injury, surgery for a knee replacement can reduce pain and restore function. Generally speaking, it takes six months to recover from knee replacement surgery, but it may take up to a year to fully resume physically demanding activities. Even though the healing process can be drawn out, there are steps you can take to improve your healing and speed up your recovery.
What does knee replacement surgery involve?
The specialists at Tri-State Orthopaedics offer the most recent developments in the treatment of persistent knee issues. Your doctor may advise knee replacement surgery if more conservative measures fall short. The goal of this treatment, also known as arthroplasty, is to restore the knee's normal function and relieve chronic pain by replacing the injured knee joint's damaged structure with metal and plastic components.
The successful and extremely common technique of knee replacement. The majority of patients with knee replacements notice a considerable improvement in their mobility and pain levels. Most people find that having a knee replacement improves their quality of life by regaining their independence and enabling them to resume their favorite hobbies. But the road to recovery might be a long one. Here are some useful dos and don'ts on your road to recovery if you are scheduled for or considering knee surgery.
Effectively manage pain
After knee replacement surgery, acute pain was once thought to be something you could just endure. In actuality, effective pain management lessens suffering and hastens your recovery. The location and degree of the pain must be precisely described and determined because pain is a subjective experience. Your care team wants to know, among other things, whether the pain is severe, tingling, or burning and whether it is consistent or intermittent.
Even though some soreness is to be expected after knee replacement surgery, an efficient pain management program can greatly lower your degree of discomfort and speed up your recovery.
Walk as soon as possible
It's not always simple to recuperate from joint replacement surgery, but getting back on your feet as soon as the doctor gives the all-clear can help. Walking boosts circulation, keeps your joints supple, and helps prevent issues like blood clots. You don't have to wait till after surgery when you get back home. Most individuals can begin walking while still receiving treatment at the hospital. In order to mend and recuperate, walking helps your knee receive vital nutrients. For the first few weeks, you should prepare to use a walker. Four to eight weeks after a knee replacement, the majority of patients are able to walk independently.
Physical therapy
In order to fully recover from knee replacement surgery, physical therapy is essential. A physical therapist will demonstrate activities that will aid in your knee's recovery both at home and in the rehabilitation center. Physical therapy should be continued even if you're feeling well and confident because it can hasten your recovery. Physical therapy can help you walk more easily, walk stronger, and get your knee joint moving again.
Exercise
Exercise is crucial, in addition to the therapeutic motions you undertake during physical therapy. The movements you learn in physical therapy are distinct from this. Exercise that is safe for you makes your muscles stronger and speeds up your recovery. Exercise is crucial, but it shouldn't hurt. Keep that in mind. It is common to wish to recover as soon as possible. Overextending yourself, though, can result in a setback. Your team can advise you on the kinds of workouts that are risk-free for you to carry out, such as additional walks or elliptical machine use.
Rest
It is common for people to be anxious to get better. Did you know that relaxation is equally crucial to your healing? To recover from knee replacement surgery, it's important to strike a balance between movement and rest. You can experience mild to moderate knee swelling during the first few months. Applying ice, keeping your leg elevated, and getting the right amount of rest can all hasten the healing process.
Life is frequently altered by knee replacement surgery. With the assistance of the staff at Tri-State Orthopaedics, you can recover effectively. Call our Germantown or Memphis, Tennessee, offices to make an appointment or book online for additional information.
