7 Tips To Recover From Knee Replacement Surgery Fast
Tips to Recover – I guess you are questioning now on what is the fastest way to recover from knee surgery? If you’re waiting for surgery after a serious knee injury, and searching for the best ways to recover from knee replacement surgery…
Or you’ve already had knee surgery and you’re finding it much more painful, and you’re desperate for a faster recovery so you can get back to normal fast, this blog is for you!
7 Tips To Recover From Knee Replacement Surgery
After total or partial knee replacement surgery, it can be incredibly difficult to recover with the pain, stiffness and tiredness.
In our experience of treating hundreds of patients before, and after their knee surgery, there are some proven ways that can speed up recovery.
With the right support, you can get back to walks, enjoying exercise and being able to move pain-free.
(1) Move Little and Often, Every Hour
How long does it take to walk normally after knee replacement? After your doctor has cleared you to move your knee and walk, it is important to keep active and we would recommend moving every hour, even if it’s just to get a drink, or go to the bathroom.
Keeping active reduces your risk of blood clots and other complications.
It also improves circulation to your knee which allows you to heal quicker.
Starting to walk is often possible whilst you are still in the hospital, so this is something that you should be able to do quite soon after knee surgery.
(2) Get Great Sleep and Rest
Total or partial knee replacement surgery takes a significant toll on your body.
This is going to leave you feeling very tired, and whilst it’s important to keep moving, it’s also important to make sure you get enough sleep.
Getting great sleep is going to play an important role in achieving the quickest recovery time.
So, aim to get 8+ hours sleep, if not more.
When you are resting (but not asleep), keeping your leg elevated and apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel for 20 minutes to reduce any swelling.
(3) Avoid Putting Pressure Or Kneeling On Your Knee
Your knee is going to be very sore and swollen after surgery, so minimising the pressure against it can create a lot of pain. It’s also likely to make the swelling much worse which will slow down your recovery.
Shortly after your knee surgery, reducing swelling is a priority as this will increase the amount you can straighten and bend your knee.
(4) Use Equipment Given To You
You will be given walking aids by the hospital to help you safely move around your home and reduce your risk of falling.
In the long term, the goal is to stop using these walking aids entirely and you may think it’s a good idea to ditch the walking aids straight away.
However, in the short term, it’s safer to use the walking aids until you have regained enough strength, and mobility in your knee.
(5) Follow Your Exercise Plan (Tips to Recover)
For the fastest recovery from knee replacement surgery, an exercise program that is tailored to you, and includes progressions as you leave behind the walking aids and can handle more challenging exercise.
Our patients all receive personalised exercises and those that build these into their daily habits get the most impressive recoveries.
We often work with people who’ve had surgery and tried to recover without the proper support – nearly all cases are made worse through doing the wrong exercises, or not doing them often enough.
Whilst we can’t prescribe specific exercises for you in this blog and your worried about a long and painful recovery, feel free to reach out to us in the clinic.
To speak to a member of our team and find out how we can help recover faster from your knee replacement surgery, arrange a free discovery visit which is great if you are unsure whether private physio is right for you.
Arrange Your Free Discovery Visit or call us on (773) 609-1847
(6) Avoid High Impact Activities Or Activities With A High Risk Of Twisting Your Knee Or Falling
As you approach a full recovery and you’re considering returning to your usual hobbies, sports and workouts, make sure to be cautious if these involve any high impact on your body.
High impact activities such as running, or jumping can demand a lot from your knee, and also have a very high risk level.
Also, be wary of activities that have a risk of falling or twisting your knee such as certain sports where change of direction is common.
We appreciate that if you had an active life pre-surgery, you want to return to this as soon as you can, but in the short term, choosing low impact activities like cycling and swimming is a smart option.
(7) Speed Up Recovery Post Surgery With Physical Therapy
If you have had your knee replacement surgery, and struggling to move freely, still experiencing pain, and still not able to do what you wanted to do, then reach out to our expert team.
We have worked with patients who were disappointed with the results after surgery and came to us looking for more support.
At PREP Performance Center, we are able to provide a variety of services and tips to recover which will not just get you to a minimum quality of life but will enable you to get back to long walks with your partner, exercise classes with your friends, and being able to play with the children and grandchildren.
To find more, we offer Free Discovery Visit, where you can speak to a member of our team, ask any questions that you have, and find out what’s stopping you from getting the life you thought you were going to have post-surgery.
Arrange Your Free Discovery Visit or call us on (773) 609-1847
Tips to Recover and How To Prepare For Knee Replacement Surgery
If you are waiting for your knee replacement surgery, you can arrange a Pre-Surgery Analysis which will enable you to identify how best to prepare for knee surgery – patients who come for treatment before their surgery experience much faster recovery with less stiffness, pain and complications.
Arrange your Pre-Surgery Analysis by completing our simple webform or call us on (773) 609-1847
Other Free Resources To Help Your Knee Pain
- Read Our Blog – 6 Best Exercises to Eliminate your Knee Pain
- Read Our Blog – 6 Items to get before ACL Surgery
- Read Our Blog – ACL Rehab: Top 11 ways to improve Knee Flexion after Surgery
Follow Us On Social Media – Prep Performance Center Facebook, Prep Performance Center Twitter and Prep Performance Center YouTube
Total Knee Replacement (Part 3)
Phase II – Motion Phase (Day 3 – Week 3) Progression to OUTPATIENT PT
Knee Replacement – By now you are starting to feel like you can get around your house and may have had some in-home physical therapy. Your knee most likely still hurts and you have made some progress with your knee flexion and extension, but you still have a bit more to go. You may have progressed to using a cane for in-home walking and stairs, but think about bringing your walker for walking longer distances outside.
BASIC Home Exercise Program (Complete 3-4 times per day, approx. 10-15min) – knee replacement
– Walk 1x/hour (Make a loop on your first floor and aim to complete 2-3 times per hour)
– Heel slide
– Assisted Heel Slide
– Quad Set with towel
– Straight leg raises (SLR)
Progressive Home Exercise Program (Complete 10 reps 1x/day near countertop for safety)
Complete these exercise with assistance from a family member for safety reasons
– Standing Hip ABD
– Standing Hip EXT
– Standing Heel Raises
– Standing Toe Raises
– Standing Marching
– Standing Knee Flexion
– Stairs 1x/day
– Sit to stand
– FSU
– LSU
– Sidestepping at Counter
– Seated Heel Slides
– Seated Knee Extension
– Seated Marching
Walk at least 800-1000 feet or around the block with an assistive device and wean off the assistive device as tolerated. (If limping occurs, use a cane to assist, opposite of the surgical leg.
Check out our Total Knee Replacement Part 4 blog that will help you as you progress into the next phase of rehab.
Check out our Total Knee Replacement Part 2 blog that will help you as you progress into the next phase of rehab.
Download our Knee Range of Motion Tracker, FAQ Page and Return to Sport Timeline.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Always reach out to your medical provider with questions and if you are worried at all about an infection, go to Immediate Care.
Total Knee Replacement (Part 2)
Phase I – Post Surgical Phase (Day 0-3): (Total Knee Replacement)
The first few days after your Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is crucial in meeting your range of motion and mobility goals. You might be wondering when will my knee stop hurting, when can I do stairs, when can I shower, and how I bend my knee after Total Knee Replacement. In this article, we will give you a step-by-step program that has worked for many of our patients in our clinic.
You probably didn’t expect it, but they don’t give you much time to rest and recover after your total knee replacement. Your Physical Therapist is often in your room the following day asking you to bend your knee, stand up, walk to the bathroom and maybe even go up and down the stairs. You might be walking with a cane or a walker at this point. Pain is definitely to be expected but tolerable.
Goals:
Reduce swelling, increase range of motion, increase functional strength during daily activities
BASIC Home Exercise Program (Complete 3-4 times per day, approx. 10-15min)
– Walk 1x/hour (Make a loop on your first floor and aim to complete 2-3 times per hour)
– Heel slide
– Assisted Heel Slide
– Quad Set with towel
– Straight leg raises (SLR)
Progressive Home Exercise Program (Complete 10 reps 1x/day near countertop for safety)
Complete these exercise with assistance from a family member for safety reasons
– Standing Hip ABD
– Standing Hip EXT
– Standing Heel Raises
– Standing Toe Raises
– Standing Marching
– Standing Knee Flexion
– Stairs 1x/day
– Sit to stand
– Seated Heel Slides
– Seated Knee Extension
– Seated Marching
A few secrets that no one ever tells you (Total Knee Replacement)
– Wear a compression sleeve or ace wrap around your knee for a few weeks. Managing your swelling is a big part of helping you bend your knee and straighten your knee. Swelling can also contribute to pain, possibly causing fear of bending your knee, quadricep inhibition and stagnation in progress. Start below your knee at mid calf level and apply moderate compression at the calf and slowly reduce the amount of tension as you move up towards the hip. Try to avoid bumps in the ace wrap.
– Effleurage. Seems silly, but the more you manage you touch your knee the less sensitive and painful it becomes. You want to perform a gentle massage to your surgical knee that helps with lymphatic drainage and mobilizing the swelling surrounding your knee. Starting from below your knee and moving up towards your hip, you will assist your body in flushing the swelling and mobilizing surrounding tissue. Check out our video here.
– Follow the BUM Principle. Be Up and Moving- I promise you want to move once an hour. Movement , while painful, will also help manage the swelling which in turn improves range of motion and overall mobility and independence.
– Don’t do too much. While we want you up and moving, you also want to give yourself a break and elevate and ice your knee (above your heart) for 20 min a few times a day. This manages swelling and pain and again just keeps you moving towards your goals.
– Pain Meds. DEFINITELY stay on top of your pain medications. Set an alarm and take those pain meds! In order to make the gains you want, you have to control your pain.
– Listen to your body. Be aware of how your knee feels. Pain is to be expected. But if you follow this program and stay active (but not TOO active), bending and straightening your knee will be painful BUT TOLERABLE.
Last but not least, if you haven’t already, you will want to schedule your Outpatient Physical Therapy Evaluation for approx. 1-2 weeks after your surgery. Your surgeon will likely tell you when to start outpatient physical therapy, but the sooner the better. Choosing a Doctor of Physical Therapy with experience in treating patients with Total Knee Replacements is very important. You want a therapist who is going to push you to meet your goals, but empathetic and approachable when things might not go according to plan.
You are probably going to receive In-home therapy for a week or two, which focuses on safety and independent mobility within your house, where outpatient therapy focuses on progressing your Range of Motion, normalizing your gait mechanics, improving your strength to go up and down stairs, and return to other activities of daily living. Goals of outpatient therapy are to normalize knee range of motion, reduce pain, improve strength and ability to complete health and wellness activities as you did prior to surgery.
Check out our Total Knee Replacement Part 3 blog that will help you as you progress into the next phase of rehab.
Download our Knee Range of Motion Tracker, FAQ Page and Return to Sport Timeline.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Always reach out to your medical provider with questions and if you are worried at all about an infection, go to Immediate Care.
Read more article: Headaches
Total Knee Replacement (Part 1)
As you prepare for your total knee replacement we recommend using this guide to prepare for the rehabilitation process, set short-term, achievable goals, and understand the process and suggested timeline. During the recovery process, there are a few things you can control, and we will discuss them below. Being an active participant in the recovery process and setting goals will help turn your recovery into a journey. In the end, we hope you find the success that will change your life, a life without knee pain! See related article from Hopkinsmedicine.org wherein they shared about Knee Replacement Surgery Procedure. Anyways, see further details below.
General guidelines (Total Knee Replacement)
– Everyone progresses at their own pace
– Focus on small goals and work to achieve them
– Rest and Recovery along with asking for help will go a long way
We provide you with specific and small achievement goals to help ease your recovery. If you follow our recommended daily program, we believe you will hit all of your goals and be back doing the things you love.
TOP 10 Total Knee Replacement Must Do’s
- Take Pain meds as recommended and approx. 30 min prior to therapy sessions
- Ice your knee 5 times a day for 20min/session with leg elevated above heart
- Elevate your leg more often than not, sitting in a recliner can lead to more swelling
- Use Ace Wrap or Compression Stocking ALL DAY to reduce swelling
- Complete our Basic Exercises 3-4 times per day (10-15 min/session)
- Complete our Progressive Home Exercise Program 1 time per day (15-20min/session)
- Walk once and hour in your house even if it is a short walk, or outside when you feel safe
- Complete stairs once a day starting Day 3-5 (Have a caregiver present if you don’t feel safe)
- Never place a pillow behind your knee, this can cause your knee to be stiff
- A towel roll should be placed at the ankle to promote knee straightening when lying in bed
Physical Therapy Timeline
– Day 0-3 Hospital Physical Therapy (walking, stairs, daily activities)
– Day 3-14- Home health approx. 2 times a week
– Week 2 – 6- Progress to Outpatient PT approx. 2-3 times a week
– Week 6-8 Discharge from outpatient PT approx. 6 weeks post op and continue your home exercises or transition to a Personal Trainer to help meet your personal recreational goals.
– Week 8 – 12- Continue with your Home Exercises Program and Progress to Fitness routines
– Week 12+ – Enjoy recreational activities without limitation and continue to focus on flexibility, mobility and joint strengthening exercises
Suggested Target Goals for ROM:
End of Week 1: Moderate-Minimal Swelling, Knee Flexion 80-90°, Knee extension
End of Week 2: Minimal Swelling, Knee flexion 90 to 100°, Knee Extension -10° to 0°
End of Week 3: Minimal Swelling, Knee Flexion 100- 110°, Knee extension -5° to 0°
End of Week 4: NO Knee Swelling, Knee Flexion 105-115°, Knee Extension -5° to 0°
End of Week 5: NO Knee Swelling, Knee Flexion 110°- 115°, Knee Extension final push to 0°
End of Week 6: NO Knee Swelling, Knee Flexion 115°- 120°, Knee Extension final push to 0°
Things to look out for:
Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT)- May present as calf pain and/or swelling that does not get better with elevation
Infection- Redness around incision, abnormal discharge, swelling, fever
Nausea- Discuss pain meds with surgeon’s office
Check out our Total Knee Replacement Part 2 blog that will help you as you progress into the next phase of rehab.
Download our Knee Range of Motion Tracker, FAQ Page and Return to Sport Timeline.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Always reach out to your medical provider with questions and if you are worried at all about an infection, go to Immediate Care.
