Living with a New Knee: Lifestyle Adjustments and Long-Term Maintenance

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It is obvious, as we become older, our body goes through numerous changes, both physically and mentally. And the knees are one of the most common joints to suffer as you age. Knee pain because of any reason, can affect daily performance of house chores and activities and it creates a huge problem. Not all patients suffering from knee problem, say osteoarthritis, need knee replacement surgery. Surgeons only advice surgery in extreme conditions, such as unbearable pain, difficulty walking indoors, long time sitting, and no effect of medications on relieving ailments. But, if you get a knee replacement surgery done, it can alleviate these symptoms. Also, it just functions like a normal knee, but it also comes with certain limitations, like kneeling, jumping, lifting heavy weights etc.

Some lifestyle modifications or adjustments after surgery:
Recovery after knee surgery is not that difficult task, with support and guidance of your healthcare professionals and family members, you can get speedy recovery. Post-surgery, speedy recovery and rehabilitation process is crucial so that you can return to your daily routine activities. Also, your surgeon and physiotherapist play a critical role in the recovery process. Following are some changes you can adopt for a speedy recovery:

Weight management:

As we all know, knees support the entire body’s weight, maintaining a healthy weight is really important, so that your knees don’t get stressed. After the surgery, increases in weight may create problems for you like wear and tear of the knee joints or breakage of the artificial surface.

Exercise regularly:

Exercising regularly and keeping yourself active and fit is important for better and speedy recovery. But always remember to exercise advised by your surgeon and physiotherapist. Missing your exercising might delay your recovery. It is not easy, but you can always take the support of your healthcare professionals and family members.

Essential pre-preparation:

A simple preparation, before surgery can help in speedy recovery like shifting on ground floor, the bed position should not be too high or too low, a walker should be accessible, ice pack for the knee, comfortable clothes and shoes, and removing items from the room that can cause falls.

Medications and wound care:

It is really important to take all the prescribed medications on time if you want a quick and speedy recovery. Also, proper wound handling can decrease the risk of infection and aids faster healing process.

Balanced diet:

Along with proper medications and exercise, having a nutritious and balanced diet can also help relieve pain and discomfort.

Accommodate yourself with changes:

Recovery takes different time for different people, some may heal sooner and some might take little longer. Patients must be prepared internally that recovery is a long and challenging journey, and one must focus on regaining strength.

Follow up appointment:

For a person, who has had a knee replacement surgery, doctors advice a visit after two to three weeks for a wound check-up, second visit after six weeks and third visit after 3 to 6 months to evaluate the healing process.

If you are someone who has recently gone through knee replacement surgery, then you will return to your everyday routine over time. Just give time to your body. You may even be able to resume activities and chores that you gave up when you started to have knee pain.

Talk with your surgeon, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist if you are confused and have questions about activities and your body. They will surely help in guiding you to better understand your life and lifestyle following a knee replacement.