Predictions state that over half of adults will get knee arthritis at some point in their lives. Knee arthritis frequently results in pain, stiffness, and restricted mobility. In cases where an injury or severe arthritis has ruined your knee, Total knee replacement surgery can reduce pain and restore function. After knee joint replacement surgery, recuperation usually takes six months on average, but it can take up to 12 months to properly resume physically demanding activities. Even while recovery can take a while, there are things you can do to improve your healing and hasten the process.
What Does Knee Replacement Surgery Involve?
The team at Dr. Simon Thomas provides the latest advancements in treating chronic knee problems. When conservative options aren’t enough, your provider may recommend knee joint replacement surgery. Also called arthroplasty, this procedure involves replacing the structure of the damaged knee joint with metal and plastic parts to restore the normal function of the knee and relieve chronic pain.
Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee joint replacement is an incredibly common and successful procedure. Over 90% of people who have knee replacement experience significant improvement in pain and their ability to get around. For most people, knee replacement restores a good quality of life, giving back independence and allowing you to engage in activities you used to enjoy. However, recovery is often a long road.
If you’re scheduled for or considering total knee replacement surgery, here are some helpful dos and don’ts in your path to recovery.
Effectively Manage Pain
People used to think that severe pain following total knee replacement surgery was something you just had to push through. In fact, properly managing pain helps reduce discomfort and speed your recovery. Because pain is subjective, it’s crucial to accurately describe and pinpoint the location and intensity of the pain. Your care team needs to know whether the pain is constant or intermittent and whether it’s sharp, tingling, or burning, among other things.
Though it’s reasonable to expect some discomfort after knee replacement surgery, an effective pain management program can significantly reduce your level of pain and help boost the speed of your recovery.
Walk As Soon As Possible
Recovery from joint replacement surgery isn’t always easy, but getting back on your feet as soon as the doctor says it’s okay can help you recover. Walking helps prevent complications like blood clots, improves circulation, and keeps your joints limber. You don’t have to wait until you return home after surgery. Most patients can start walking while still in the hospital. Walking helps deliver important nutrients to your knee to help you heal and recover. You can expect to use a walker for the first couple of weeks. Most patients can walk on their own roughly four to eight weeks after knee joint replacement.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a crucial part of recovering from knee replacement surgery. At home and at the rehab clinic a physical therapist will show you exercises that will help your knee heal. Even if you’re feeling well and confident, it’s vital to continue physical therapy as it can help speed your recovery. Physical therapy will help strengthen your leg, help you walk, and restore the movement of your knee joint.
Exercise
In addition to the healing movements you perform during physical therapy, it’s important to exercise. This is different from the movements you learn in physical therapy. Engaging in safe physical activity helps your muscles get stronger and helps you heal quickly. Remember, although exercise is important, it shouldn’t cause pain. It’s normal to want to heal as quickly as possible. However, pushing yourself too hard can cause a setback. Your team can tell you what type of exercises are safe for you to perform, which might include extra walks or riding on an elliptical machine.
Rest
Many patients are eager to recover, and it’s normal to feel this way. Did you know that rest is just as important to your recovery? Balancing movement with getting enough rest is necessary to heal from total knee replacement surgery. For the first few months, you may have some mild-to-moderate swelling of the affected knee. Getting the appropriate rest and keeping your leg elevated, as well as applying ice, can help boost healing time.
Most People Are Able To Walk Without A Walker Or Cane About Six Weeks After Knee Replacement Surgery
Recovery is different for everyone. It’s based on several factors, including whether you have one or both knees replaced, the condition of your other joints, and your overall health and fitness level before the operation.
Generally, though, most patients use a walker for the first three weeks, and then transition to using a cane for another two to three weeks.
You Can Return To A Fully Active Lifestyle After Knee Replacement Surgery
“It’s a gradual recovery, and everyone is different, but the bottom line is that people do return to big, active lifestyles after total knee replacement surgery.
Most people begin to increase their activity levels as soon as they stop using a cane. Regularly taking longer walks is an important part of physical therapy and recovery. Within two to three months, most people can return to activities like riding a bike or playing golf. Eventually, patients are able to go back to more strenuous activities like skiing and playing tennis. “It’s all obtainable. “There are no limitations.”
As for wound healing, thanks to less invasive procedures, incisions are usually only four or five inches long. Most of our surgeons close surgical incisions using plastic surgery techniques. “This helps the wounds heal better and also looks nice aesthetically.
Where You Have Your Knee Replacement Matters For Your Recovery
“Studies have shown that the number of procedures a hospital does in joint replacement every year matters — and we are the leaders,”. “Patients who come here get the complete package: not only the best surgical treatment but also state-of-the-art anesthesia, nursing care, and physical therapy.”
Infection rates after joint replacement surgery are also extremely low for patients treated at Dr. Simon Thomas; only 0.5%. Infections are a serious complication that may require additional surgery.
Total Knee replacement surgery often changes lives. You can recover well with the help of the team at Dr. Simon Thomas.
