Posted by Dr Manu Bora

A knee replacement is one of the replacement surgeries that works best. It means taking out a badly damaged knee joint and putting a prosthesis in its place. More people are aware of surgery because of new technology, better surgical skills, and imported implants. But if you get the surgery or have had it done recently, you need to know how to take care of your knee after it has been fixed.

Here are all the precautions and steps you need to take before and after a knee replacement to plan for your surgery date.

How long does knee pain last after surgery?

Most people have some pain after surgery, but this pain usually gets better over time. But doctors can help with some of the pain until this happens.

Pain may last longer in rare cases. People with pain that lasts or worsens should talk to their doctor because there may be a problem.

Most problems happen when people don't like how their knee works or continue to feel pain or stiffness.

Steps to take before surgery

It would help if you changed how you live when you decide to replace one of your essential body parts. Here are some changes to your lifestyle that might be needed-

Setting up a house

It would help if you changed how your home is set up. It would help if you kept the hallways, passageways, rooms, and outdoor stairs clear of clutter and other things that could cause people to trip. Make sure the places you like to hang out are well-lit. Rugs, footstools, and surfaces that don't slip are safe.

Washroom

It would help if you had a safe and easy toilet, so use raised toilet seats and armrests. If you use a bathtub, put shower curtains where the sliding doors used to be. Put in showers with handles, grab bars in the tub and toilet seats that help. Don't hold yourself up with towel racks or paper holders.

Exercise

Working out before surgery is good for you because it keeps your joints moving, makes you stronger, and improves your endurance. It will also make you feel better about yourself and teach you more about life after surgery. Activities that are easy on your joints include stretching, strengthening, swimming, and water walking.

Post-knee replacement precautions

Physical therapy:

Physical therapy is a must after knee replacement surgery to keep your mobility. You can talk to any physiotherapist in the area about the problem. Not only will the physiotherapist pay attention to the exercises. Sure, they will help you figure out what to think about. But it will also help you know when you can move and how long you can stay still.

Diet:

Please pay attention to what you eat because it is essential to know. You will gain weight if you eat a lot of fats and carbs. It would help if you didn't gain weight because your artificial joint won't be able to handle it, and you'll be in pain all the time.

Learn how to sit:

It's also important to know how to sit; you should only stay in the same position for 45 minutes. Try to always sit in a way that makes you feel calm. If you sit in a way that puts pressure on the artificial process, you will always feel pain.

Take the stairs sparingly. In the beginning, you should take the stairs sparingly. You can take small steps and climb the stairs after four weeks. Don't go up the stairs unless your doctor tells you to.

Don't drive the car:

If you've had a total knee replacement, you should stop driving the vehicle immediately. No doctor will tell you to go in a car for the first two months because it could put pressure on the knee prosthesis and lead to this place. So, if you want to end up with the same problem, you should drop it.

Walking:

You'll have some trouble the first few times you try to walk. We suggest you bring the crutches with you so you can get around quickly. You have to use them for 2–6 weeks. If you still have pain when walking after six weeks, try to use them again to move better.

Don't skip your medicines:

Medicines are also essential. When you go to a doctor for a total knee replacement, he will give you some anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drugs to help you get better. Take all of these medicines on time so your recovery will go up.

Visit your doctor:

Don't forget to see your doctor when you need to. A doctor makes an appointment with a patient to talk about how long it will take to get better. Check on them often until and unless the healing process is done. They will look at the prosthesis to see how it is doing and decide whether it works well. If they see any problems, they will also give you some medicine.

After a knee replacement, you should take care of yourself as described above. But it would help if you thought about what you want to do while healing. Don't drive for six weeks after surgery. Use handrails or bannisters to keep your balance on stairs. You should inform your doctor if you need a dental, GI, or surgical procedure soon after the replacement. You may be on antibiotics to prevent infection