Post Operative Care For Knee Replacement
Much of the success of a knee replacement surgery, be it total or partial, depends on the patient’s willingness to follow the surgeon’s instructions during the post-operative and recovery period. Continue reading to know all that you should know about post operative care of a knee replacement surgery.
With any kind of invasive treatment, pain is inevitable. It will continue to pain a little for a few weeks after the surgery and it will usually be treated with medication. It may take as many as 6 weeks before you feel steady on your feet, and you should used a walker or crutches until you are able to walk unassisted, aim at gradually decreasing the amount of reliance on them as your leg feels stronger. Post surgical pain generally takes a few weeks of rest and strengthening exercises to subside.
Surgical wounds should be kept clean and dry until the area heals completely, soaking the knee in water should be avoided for about 6 weeks after the Knee Replacement Surgery. If the area near the incision turns red and swells up, the surgeon should be contacted immediately.
It is ok to have a low-grade fever for the first few days after surgery. But if the fever persists and rises above 101 degrees F and is accompanied by drainage at the incision site, the orthopaedic surgeon should be contacted.
You would experience swelling in the leg, which is normal for several months after undergoing the surgery. Keeping the leg elevated for 30–60 minutes every day will increase circulation and will help reduce the swelling. You are likely to experience less swelling in the morning and more in the afternoon and evening. If you see significant swelling in the morning, you should contact your surgeon.
To encourage circulation in the leg and prevent blood clots, blood thinning medications and exercises are prescribed. Don’t avoid them and keep up your exercises to help prevent stiffness but do not force your knee.
A physiotherapist will give you a clear and specific program of activities and movements to follow during the recovery period. Daily movement and exercise will help regain strength and mobility allowing you get back to normal activities faster. It will also prevent complications such as blood clots. Patients who have difficulty walking or doing the recommended exercises and activities after Total Knee Replacement should consult with their physical therapist.
It is important to be very careful while you are recovering from your surgery. It is also very important to be taking your knee treatment under experienced and reliable doctors.
