During their lives, nearly half of all Indian adults will get knee arthritis. Knee arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and limited movement. When arthritis or an injury has done a lot of damage to your knee, knee replacement surgery can relieve pain and restore function. Knee surgery usually takes about six months to heal, but it can take up to a year to be fully ready to do physically demanding things again. Even though the healing process can take a long time, there are steps you can take to heal faster and better.
What does surgery to replace a knee involve?
Tri-State Orthopedics has the most up-to-date treatments for chronic knee problems. When less invasive treatments don’t work, your doctor may suggest knee replacement surgery. This procedure, which is also called “arthroplasty,” involves replacing the damaged knee joint’s structure with metal and plastic parts to restore the knee’s normal function and relieve chronic pain.
Knee replacement is very common and usually works well. Over 90% of people who get a knee replacement feel a lot less pain and are able to move around more easily. Most knee replacements improve people’s quality of life by giving them back their independence and letting them do things they used to enjoy. If you are going to have knee surgery or are thinking about it, here are some dos and don’ts that will help you get better.
Manage pain effectively
People used to think that if you were in a lot of pain after knee replacement surgery, you just had to tough it out. In fact, knowing how to deal with pain helps you feel less bad and get better faster. Pain is different for everyone, so it’s important to describe and point out exactly where and how bad the pain is. Your care team needs to know, among other things, if the pain is constant or comes and goes, and if it is sharp, tingling, or burning.
Even though it’s normal to feel some pain after the knee resurfacing, a good pain management program can make a big difference in how much pain you feel and how quickly you heal.
Walk as soon as you can
Recovery from joint replacement surgery isn’t always easy, but getting back on your feet as soon as the doctor tells you to can help. Walking helps prevent complications like blood clots, improves circulation, and keeps your joints flexible. You don’t have to wait until you get home after surgery. Most people can walk while they are still in the hospital. Walking gets important nutrients to your knee, which helps it, heal and get better. For the first couple of weeks, you may need to use a walker. Most people can walk independently after knee replacement in about four to eight weeks.
Physical therapy
After knee replacement surgery, physical therapy is a key part of getting better. A physical therapist will show you exercises to do at home and at the rehab clinic to help your knee heal. Even if you feel good and sure of yourself, it’s important to keep going to physical therapy because it can help you get better faster. Physical therapy will help you walk again, strengthen your leg, and get your knee joint moving again.
Exercise
Exercise is just as important as the healing movements you do in physical therapy. This is different from the moves you learn in physical therapy. Safe physical activity makes your muscles stronger and helps you get better faster. Keep in mind that exercise is important, but it shouldn’t hurt. It’s only natural to want to get better as soon as possible. But putting too much pressure on yourself can lead to a setback. Your team can tell you what kinds of exercises you can do safely, such as taking extra walks or using an elliptical machine.
Rest
Many patients are eager to get better, which is natural. Did you know that getting enough rest is just as important for healing? To heal from knee replacement surgery, you need to move around and get enough rest. During the first few months, your affected knee may swell a little or a lot. Getting enough rest, keeping your leg raised, and using ice can help speed up the healing process.
Life is often changed by knee surgery. The best knee replacement doctor in Chandigarh, Dr. Vikas Mehra, can help you get better results. Call us now to make an appointment or book online to find out more.