What does your recovery period look like following a knee replacement surgery?
The healing duration following knee replacement surgery is normally 12 weeks, although regular rehabilitation activities can accelerate the recovery period, says Dr. Prof Amit Kumar Agarwal, who is the best orthopedic doctor in Delhi. By providing post-operative advice he aims to shorten a patient’s recovery time following knee replacement surgery.
In this part, we will go over the state of your joint post-surgery at a few very important stages of rehabilitation. This will help you understand what doctors normally prescribe at each stage and how you should prepare yourself.
Day 1 – Rehabilitation begins immediately after you wake up from the surgery. A physical therapist will visit you and demonstrate how to walk using assistance equipment. Typically, assistance aids include walkers, crutches, and canes. You will be shown how to get out of your bed and will be made to walk a few blocks and return to your bed.
Continuous passive motion machine (CPM)
The physical therapist will also explain how to utilize a continuous passive motion machine, which allows the joint to move gently and prevents scar tissue buildup. You will be utilizing a CPM machine while in the hospital and, most likely, at home.
Day 2-
How and when you can shower after the surgery-
According to the expert, if your surgeon used waterproof dressings, you can shower the day after surgery, but if your surgeon did not use waterproof dressings, you will have to wait 5-7 days to wash.
At this point, focus on achieving complete knee extension and straightening your knee. Try to increase knee flexion or bending by at least 10 degrees.
Discharge day – When you will be discharged from the hospital is entirely dependent on how you progress or whether you are at risk of complications.
However, if everything goes as planned, you should be able to stand with little or no help, go on longer walks with as little assistive equipment as possible, and perform your daily tasks with as little assistance as possible at this time.
What are the post-surgical knee replacement precautions that you need to take?
- Taking care of incisions – It is critical to properly care for your incision following surgery to avoid infection and scars. You should inspect your incisions on a daily basis, and if you are wearing a dressing, your surgeon will remove it during your follow-up appointment. Follow any incision care recommendations provided by your surgeon.
- Avoid putting extra strain on your knees while doing these everyday activities –
- Getting dressed
- Sitting
- Bathing and showering
- Using stairs
- Lying down
Commit to long-term care–
Be regular with your physical therapy – Regular physical treatment will help to strengthen the muscles around your knee, which will support your prosthetic joint.
Say no to infections – Infectious microorganisms infiltrate your body through incisions; however, if you prevent infections and care for your incision properly, your prosthetic joint will be safe.
Plan a follow-up appointment with your surgeon regularly- Patients is usually requested to return to their doctors every year or two to check on the progress of the artificial knee.
However, Dr. Prof Amit Kumar Agarwal, an orthopedic surgeon in Delhi, believes that the more people arrange a follow-up with the physician, the simpler it is to spot issues with the artificial knee even before the patient sees the symptoms.
Rehabilitation exercises after knee replacement surgery-
Physical therapy is required for everyone who undergoes knee replacement surgery to strengthen the muscles surrounding the prosthetic knee and support the joint. These exercises –
- Protect the new knee and other joints by increasing muscle flexibility and strength.
- Promote healing by increasing blood flow.
Below is the list of knee strengthening exercises that doctors and physical therapists commonly recommend for patients, and they are-
- Quad squeezes
- Ankle pumps
- Short arc quad
- Heel slides
- Knee extensions
What is the takeaway?
It may take up to 12 weeks to fully recover after total knee replacement surgery. However, you may be able to resume normal domestic chores after 4 to 6 weeks. Committing to your rehabilitation exercises and carrying out the tasks prescribed by your physical therapist will help your knee get stronger and restore full motion.
However, if you are someone who’s still contemplating whether to have knee replacement surgery and are researching the before and post-surgical expectations, and if you are unsure where to receive the treatment, then you should speak with Dr. Prof Amit Kumar Agarwal, who is the best and leading orthopedic surgeon in Delhi. He offers the best orthopedic treatment in Delhi, with before and post-surgery counseling to expedite recovery.
