Five Tips for Faster Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery

After knee surgery, life is not as easy as you may encounter a lot of challenges and pain on your path to recovery. While it isn’t a cakewalk to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Healing takes time. With modern knee surgery, pain can be controlled. Even though modern pain medicines are very effective, some sort of aching, swelling, and soreness in the knee may persist for many months. This is part of the normal recovery, as long as you notice steady improvement. Each patient recovers differently; pain and soreness in the knee may persist for many months. This is part of a normal recovery, as long as you notice steady improvement.  While doctors will give medications to relieve you off from any irritation and pain, it is important that you take some basic care as well as precautions for faster recovery.

Cleaning wounds:  Surgical wounds take time to heal, hence it's important to care for your surgical wounds in a timely manner to avoid any risk of infection. For the first few days, the incision site may be swollen, red, and painful. This inflammation is a sign of the body's immune system triggering a response to protect the wound from infection. Once your doctor removes the sutures you must clean the wound with a soft muslin cloth, followed by an antibacterial solution prescribed by your doctor. Make sure to keep your wound clean and dry at all times to help the healing process. At any cost, do not scratch the area of surgery even if you experience itching. However, get in touch with your doctor if you face any of these symptoms:

• Pain getting worse

• Redness or swelling

• Bleeding or oozing pus

• Increasing drainage from the wound (may become thick, tan, green, or yellow)

• A bad smell

• Your wound looks larger, deeper, dried, or dark in color.

• Fever with temperature going above 100 F for more than 4 hours.

Physical Activities and Exercises:  Gaining weight after knee replacement surgery is common as your overall physical activity is limited during the first few months of recovery. Keeping your weight down will help you get the most out of your knee implant surgery. It will also reduce your chances of needing revisions to your artificial knee or a replacement for your other knee. Low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming and golfing will help you manage your weight and stay fit. However, it is also important to eat healthy, by not paying attention to your calorie intake you can increase weight very fast. 

Sleeping Position: Tossing and turning around in bed for sleep after knee replacement surgery can be quite cumbersome. However, a proper sleep routine along with safe sleeping positions can help you stay asleep for a longer duration without throbbing with your every move!  The best and safest position for sleeping after knee replacement surgery is on your back. Brace your surgical leg up with 2-3 pillows. Avoid putting pillows behind the knee and keep your surgical leg elevated. You can use a foam wedge or foam elevator depending on your preference. Talk to your knee doctor if you want to try out some new positions during your recovery period. He/she will know you and your condition best.

Resuming Sexual Activity: One of the most common concerns after knee replacement is dislocation. This can also turn into a medical emergency requiring you to return to the hospital. Most of the people reported knee pain, loss of motion, and inability to kneel during sexual intercourse after the surgery. You should avoid extreme flexing of the knee during intercourse and go slow and stop if you experience pain. Most surgeons advise their patients to avoid sexual activity for four-five weeks after knee surgery. Make sure you have a detailed discussion with your surgeon about sexual relations after the total knee replacement procedure. 

Diet Maintenance: Food plays an important role in your recovery and healing of surgical wounds. Eating the right foods after knee surgery can provide the right amount of protein required for skin healing around your wound and can prevent complications, such as constipation and high blood glucose. Constipation after surgery can increase pain and your chances of returning to the hospital during the recovery period. Make sure you incorporate protein and Vitamin C in your meals to allow your bones and muscles to rebuild and make your immune system strong enough to fight off infection.