After Knee Replacement Surgery

Health and Wellness » Knee Replacement » After Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee is one of the largest joints in the human body. Any surgery of the knee joint requires a major treatment and the recovery period is considered very important after knee replacement surgery. A patient can get rid of the pain with the help of medication but an efficient healing process is needed after knee replacement surgery so as to ensure the success of the surgery.

A patient can resume most of his activities after knee replacement surgery but the patient is always advised to avoid those activities which would exert excessive stress on the operated knee. Patients receive pain controlling medications with the help of an intravenous tube (IV) after the knee replacement surgery but it could be replaced with injections and pills after a few days of operation.

Post operative activities

After the knee replacement, antibiotics and medications to prevent the blood clotting are given to the patient. The patient can lose his/her appetite after knee replacement surgery but these are all temporary and patient need not worry about these symptoms. Some breathing and other physical exercises can make the patient feel comfortable and the recovery hence would be efficient.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy plays an important role after knee replacement surgery. This is a crucial element of the recovery period of the knee surgery. A physical therapist would teach some of the important leg and knee exercises which would strengthen the knee joint of the patient. Continuous passive motion machine is a device which helps the patient to move his/her leg even while lying on the bed. The machine moves the legs very slowly and smoothly so as to prevent any immovability.

Hospital stay

The patient may be advised to stay in hospital for a period of three to seven days. This however depends on the recovery of the patient. Surgeons would require some goals to be fulfilled before discharging the patient. The patient should be able to get out of the bed himself/herself after knee replacement surgery. Patient should be able to bend the knee upto ninety degrees. Surgeons would ensure that the patient is able to walk with the help of a walker before they discharge the patient from the hospital.

Care at home

 Patients have to take utmost care while they come back home after knee replacement surgery. If the patient does not have enough help at home, he should go to any rehabilitation centre because the success of the knee replacement surgery depends on the recovery period to a large extent. After going back home, the patient should keep the wound clean. Patient should not give undue attention to the swelling after knee replacement surgery because this swelling is very normal during the first five to six months of the recovery.

Medication and Diet

The patient should not take the medication and dietary regime lightly. Patient should follow the prescribed diet after knee replacement surgery in order to reap the best results. Blood clotting is very common in knee replacement surgeries and the patient should follow all the medications and exercises to prevent any complications.