Things to do after knee joint replacement
The doctor will certainly give you a set of tips after knee joint replacement surgery before leaving the hospital. Listen to them carefully and apply them as the doctor requires. In general, these are the most important tips that most doctors agree on after knee joint replacement:
- Take ice cubes or a bag of frozen vegetables and wrap it in a piece of cloth, then place it on your knee, leave it for 20 minutes, then repeat this procedure several times a day. This will relieve the pain and swelling a lot.
- Raise your knee slightly above heart level.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on how to care for your wound completely, and he or she will schedule an appointment to change your wound dressing.
- Commit to full physical therapy sessions, as they help relieve pain and improve your knee's range of motion and proper use.
- Take pain relievers as prescribed by the doctor ( paracetamol and ibuprofen), and contact the doctor if you feel that the pain is severe or unbearable.
When do I return to work after the operation?
If the nature of your work requires sitting most of the time, you can return within a month or a month and a half, but if the nature of your work requires simple movement such as sitting or standing from time to time; You need 6 weeks vacation.
Finally, if your job is stressful and involves lifting heavy objects, bending frequently, or the like, you may need 3-6 months of vacation!
Walking after the operation
In the beginning, you need to use a crutch or walker, and you may need to use two crutches or one, depending on whether you changed one knee joint or two, and your health and fitness level before the operation.
In general, patients use a walker for 3 weeks after the operation, then they will use a crutch for 2 or 3 weeks, and then they will be able to walk without assistance.
Correct sitting after knee joint replacement
Follow these tips when sitting after knee joint replacement surgery:
- Do not sit in one position for more than 30-45 minutes.
- Keep your feet and knees straight in front, and do not bend them in or out.
- Sit on a chair with a straight back and arms.
- Avoid low chairs such as sofas.
Lie down and sleep after the operation
When you lie down, follow these tips:
- Sleep on your back straight without bending any limb of your body.
- Do not put pillows under your knee, but make sure that the knee is extended and not bent.
- If you want to raise your leg; Make sure you keep your knee in an extended, not bent position.
Things to avoid doing after knee joint replacement
If you have a knee joint replaced, pay attention to these guidelines:
- Do not sit in a leg-on-leg position for the first 6 weeks.
- Do not put a pillow under the knee joint when sleeping.
- Do not bend your new knee until your doctor allows you to do so.
- Do not stand for long hours; This causes swelling in your ankle.
- Avoid carrying heavy objects in any way during the first 3 months.
