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Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery: Tips to Recover Comfortably

By Dr. Simon Thomas in Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement , Robotic Surgery

Jan 24 , 2025 | 3 min read

A knee replacement surgery can be rewarding for people suffering from knee infections or post-surgery complications. Like any other surgery, rehabilitation is very important for knee replacement surgery to ensure it meets its objectives. Post-surgery rehabilitation will determine how fast and easy it will be for you to get back on your feet.

Following are some of the most important tips that will help you to recover well after knee replacement surgery:

Follow Your Doctor's Advice

It is common to hear about cases where the doctor's advice is ignored. Many forego this action! Your surgeon will be specific about several things, such as how to care for the wound, what medications to take, and what activities to engage in after knee replacement surgery.

Prioritise Physiotherapy Sessions

Physiotherapy is your best friend during recovery. It can be very appealing to rest and take it easy after the surgery. Still, gentle movements are very important in regaining the motion of the knee and strengthening it further. Your surgeon and physio team can assist you with exercises appropriate for your condition to help you reach your feet sooner rather than later. So, you need to manage the pain effectively by exercising a bit. This surgery has faster recovery times than traditional knee surgery. Therefore, you can slowly increase the level of activities. Starting with leg or knee movements such as bending and straightening, you will move to more advanced exercises that work on balance and strengthening.

Manage Your Pain Effectively

Acquisition and maintenance of pain is an important aspect of the recovery process. It is not uncommon to feel pain after a surgical procedure. However, there are several techniques you can use to minimize the pain levels. Your doctor will recommend some medicines, so follow the prescription accurately. Along with medication, other non-drug treatment approaches, such as applying ice bags, elevating the affected limb, or compression wraps, can also help alleviate the pain and swelling of the affected area. Regarding robotic knee surgery in Delhi, postoperative discomfort may be lessened due to the accuracy of the procedure, though every recovery is peculiar in its own way.

A Well Set up Recovery Area After Surgery

Prepare yourself and the house before your surgery so that recovery can be swift afterwards. As movement will be restricted in the beginning, it is necessary to establish a zone that is both safe and practical. There are several simple strategies you can undertake:

Basic items should be available within reach (i.e. medications, water, phone).
Remove loose rugs and cords to avoid tripping.
You can get crutches, walkers, or raised toilet seats to aid you during recovery.

Planning helps reduce the discomfort for the first couple of weeks after surgery.

Drink a Lot of Fluids And Eat Healthy

Recovery undoubtedly involves taking in the right nutrients from the very beginning. Extra nutrition is needed to take care of the wound. The importance of correct nutrition while recuperating from an operation is very eloquently captured in the saying,' You are what you eat'. Dehydration and eating a diet devoid of proteins, vitamins and minerals will definitely lead to slow recovery and other complications. Citrus fruits like oranges and berries provide the body with vitamin C, which promotes the synthesis of new tissues, along with protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, lentils, etc., which reduces inflammation. Of course, ensure your water intake is sufficient to help recover muscle tissues and enhance flexibility.

Be Patient and Listen to Your Body

This is the most clinically proven and blinding advice concerning recovery from a joint surgery. Everything takes time, and the recovery process is slow in this case. There are bound to be high and low days throughout one's recovery. Patients should always keep that in mind and avoid overexerting themselves. Do not rush your body, and give yourself time to recover. While it is good to get the right dose of physiotherapy and stick to your exercise regimen, do not ignore the signs coming from your body. If you are in pain or starting to ache, stop and inform your doctor. By being steady and thinking progressively, one eventually discovers that their mobility is improving.

Conclusion

The recovery process after surgery for a knee replacement is not as easy as most people think because it requires dedication, time, and proper support. Following your physician's orders, doing physical rehabilitation, taking care of your pain, and getting nutrition in good amounts will allow you to return to your busy and painless life.