Knee Replacement Rehab

Most individuals remain totally ill-prepared for the recovery process after knee replacement is done. Recovery from knee replacement actually begins prior to the surgery as the recovery process depends on factors like age and the patients overall health condition. Patients who are in good shape will be able to handle the rehab program better.

The patient is asked to lose weight and strengthen the leg muscle as this prepares the knee better for postoperative rehab. Knee replacement surgery is the most painful of orthopedic surgeries with frequent complains of pain from the patients throughout the rehab period. Special treatment therapy and pain reducing medications are prescribed by the doctor if clear indications are given by the patient. The ordeal subsides when the patient recovers after a couple of weeks.

No sooner you receive indications from the physician than, the patient must start the knee replacement recovery techniques. This is crucial as the earlier you start the earlier stiffness, pain, swelling and the blood circulation will improve. In most cases soon after the surgery a continuous passive motion device is placed on the patients' knee. This device provides the knee with a passive range of motion automatically even when the patient is reclining in bed.

Some of the exercises that need to be continuously and progressively followed at the rehab are climbing a few steps, walking with a walker or crutch in the hallway, straightening the knees completely, bending the knee to 90 degree or more and doing exercises independently at home. The more you exercise the faster will be the recovery process. They do hurt, but they are essential. In case the patient fails in meeting these set goals within a week, they are resent to a rehab for aggressive healing for about a week or longer, this depends on the medical need of every patient.

Do all the exercises ordered by your doctor and get as much sleep as possible because our body heals while we are asleep

It is always better to carry on with the exercises and physical activities post the knee replacement therapy as this will help in maintaining motion range and strength level of the knee. Staying fit will make the knee replacement to last longer. The aim of knee replacement rehab is to ultimately help the patient to restore back their previous functionality. The success rate of knee replacement surgery will remain high provided it is combined with rehab intervention progressively from an early stage.

Discuss It!

Most Popular Articles

More