Knee replacement is one of the most common surgical procedures done in the United States. The country has reported a case of 79,000 knee replacements done every year. Also called knee arthroplasty, knee replacement surgery is conducted to replace injured or worn-out knee joints.
Usually, metal and plastic are used to replace damaged bone and cartilage in your knees. The artificial joint is called a prosthesis and in some cases, only some parts of your knee are replaced. Based on this, it can be a total knee replacement or a partial knee replacement.
Some of the conditions that cause knee replacement include joint pain, joint stiffness, swelling, trouble moving your knees, etc. Most often, knee replacement is done for people who have severe cases of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Even though treatments are common, most people fail to stick to proper ways of healing and recovery after it. This article shows you the top 5 mistakes after knee replacement. Going through them, you will get a complete picture of the ways to accelerate your healing journey after a knee replacement surgery.
What are the top 5 mistakes after knee replacement?
Most people report pain and other issues after knee replacement. This is due to several reasons. Some of the top 5 mistakes you shouldn’t make after knee replacement are given below:
1. Skipping medication
One of the most common mistakes after knee replacement is skipping the medications. You need to take medications such as painkillers and antibiotics to heal the knees properly. Stick with the prescribed dosage and timing when taking the medicines. Neglecting medication can slow down your recovery and complicate the condition further.
2. Not following a healthy exercise routine
Now it is understandable that you have just completed a knee replacement surgery that includes a lot of pain. But that is not an excuse for you to stay stagnant for months. Many doctors suggest following a consistent routine of physiotherapy and mild exercises to accelerate recovery after knee replacement.
Make sure to follow mindful and adequate body movements to enhance your joint flexibility. Do not make it too mild or too difficult. Regular movement helps your knees stay away from stiffness, so follow the instructions of your physiotherapist.
3. Too many activities
Another key mistake after knee replacement is indulging in too many activities. It is as important as not doing any movements to stay attentive or do too many activities. Make sure not to do actions such as driving as soon as you complete your knee replacement.
Your body needs healing and for this, proper rest is necessary. Also, if you have physical work, take proper rest and rehabilitation before restarting your work. Engaging in heavy lifting activities, such as carrying shopping bags or shoveling snow, might cause danger to your knees. So keep in mind to reduce those as well.
4. Not keeping in touch with your doctor
Most of the patients with knee replacement usually make this mistake. It is recommended that you stay in touch with your knee surgeon even after the surgical procedure. Before that, make sure to document every step of your recovery, as this will help your doctor identify any red flags. Healthy and open communication with your doctor can improve your healing journey and help you mentally prepare for the challenges.
5. Avoiding the red flags
There can be certain red flags that indicate you need medical attention even after the surgery. One such red flag is pain. Even though some kind of mild pain is usual after knee replacement, notice if it gets worse or more severe after a while. The doctors might have prescribed you some painkillers.
If the pain is not manageable with that, this indicates something is wrong. Like pain, you may also experience swelling after knee replacement, and to some extent,. But if your swelling is not going away after a week, contact your doctor immediately.
What are some of the fastest ways to recover from knee replacement?
Now if you want to speed up your recovery after knee replacement, here are some tips you can practice.
- Consistently follow the doctor’s recommendations
This is crucial to accelerating your recovery. Whether it is about medications or exercises, follow the doctor’s advice as it is and ensure they are done exactly.
- Follow a healthy diet
What you eat is important while recovering from knee replacement. Choose a diet filled with vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- Go for mild walks
Walking is necessary to avoid joint stiffness after knee replacement. Regularly go for a mild walk.
- Get plenty of rest and sleep
After a surgical procedure, your body needs enough rest. Having a quality sleep schedule can help you improve your recovery.
- Go for physiotherapy
Physiotherapy practices can provide you with some additional support to accelerate your recovery. These exercises are sure to help you strengthen your knees and bring back mobility and flexibility.
Also Read: Can Ginger Cure Knee Pain? Exploring Its Potential Benefits
Conclusion
Most people fail to follow a proper healing and recovery process after knee replacement. This article has shown five key mistakes after knee replacement and how you can prevent them to accelerate recovery.
Regular practice of these methods can ensure speedy healing and improved flexibility in your knee joints. But at the same time, make sure to keep in touch with your doctor for any further queries or concerns.
References
- Price AJ, Alvand A, Troelsen A, et al. Knee replacement. Lancet. 2018;392(10158):1672-1682. PMID: 30496082 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30496082/.
- Davies PS, Graham SM, Maqungo S, Harrison WJ. Total joint replacement in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Trop Doct. 2019 Apr;49(2):120-128.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6535807/
