Recovery After Knee Replacement Surgery: Get back to your normal life after 4 months
A knee replacement surgery, also called an arthroplasty, is a procedure to replace the damaged surfaces of the knee joint. The goal of a knee replacement surgery is to alleviate pain that cannot be helped by other treatments. This surgery is performed only to the surfaces of the joint, not the joint itself. Typically, outpatient procedures will allow same day discharge, while at a hospital the stay can be 1-4 days long. Recovery time varies from 6-8 weeks to 3-4 months, read the guide below to see how you can speed up your recovery!
What’s the fastest way to recover from a knee replacement?
1. Start Walking Right Away
Your healthcare team will have you walking and moving just a few hours after surgery. Due to the swelling and inflammation in the leg, walking right after surgery will help reduce the risk of stiffness and blood clots. You should continue to walk periodically throughout the day to ensure proper circulation.
2. Apply Compression
Be sure to wear compression stockings to further promote circulation as well as the reduction of swelling and pain in the leg. Another alternative would be inflatable compression boots. Pain and swelling is common after surgery, to alleviate the pain use the R.I.C.E. method as shown below. Be sure to only ice 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for at most 2 hours.
3. Stay active
Staying active is significant in knee replacement recovery, but doing too much will can cause issues. Activities involving jumping, running, or skiing are not recommended as they could do more damage to the “new” knee. Instead, low impact activities such as walking, biking, and swimming should be incorporated into your routine.
4. Participate in Physical Therapy
When meeting with your physical therapist, they will create an exercise program, evaluate your performance, and provide feedback. The key focuses of therapy will be strength and mobility, and the level of impact will be determined by the current phase of recovery. For example, immediately following surgery they will have you walking with crutches/walk and climbing stairs with support, but as you advance they will have you biking and performing full-load bearing exercises.
5. Post-Operative Care
Listen to your healthcare team on how to take care after surgery. Your team will want you to stay active, ensure proper wound care, attend follow-up appointments, and take the medications prescribed to you as instructed.
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Source:
1. https://www.hss.edu/conditions_life-after-knee-replacement.asp
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/knee-replacement/about/pac-20385276
3. https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/treatments/knee-replacement-surgery?gclid=Cj0KCQiAiJSeBhCCARIsAHnAzT9_noz73YK2APQHv37Np5BCNldYtienLeGUBsiw-JnO8m58N7w__TEaAiSFEALw_wcB
4. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/activities-after-knee-replacement/
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
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