Many people go their entire lives without needing any form of surgery at all. If your knee replacement is your first surgical procedure, it can seem daunting. One way to make the whole process less intimidating is to understand what to expect once the operation is complete. Fortunately, for most patients, recovering from knee replacement is a smooth and speedy process.
Focus On Recovery In The Hospital
The first day of your hospital stay will most likely involve simply resting in your bed and watching TV. Unless your doctor is especially optimistic, or you’re fortunate enough to receive a minimally invasive surgery, your doctor will most likely not recommend you start walking again until at least the second day of your recovery. Walking in the hospital just after the surgery is usually done with the help of parallel bars to prevent falls. You should also never attempt to walk without someone there to catch you if you lose your balance.
After the first day or two of walking with the bars, you may be able to graduate to using a walker or a crutch if you feel strong enough and your doctor approves on dr ahmed omarjee melbourne. Typically if you’ve gotten to this point and there are no signs of complications, you’ll be cleared to go home and recover. Most hospital stays after knee replacement surgery don’t exceed 5 days. If you still aren’t walking well when you leave the hospital, don’t worry — physical therapy will get you in better shape than before.
Physical Therapy Is Where You Gain Mobility
After you’re sent home, you’ll need to make an appointment with your physical therapist to discuss your knee. Depending on how well you’re able to walk, your physical therapist will help you do a number of different exercises to strengthen your leg muscles. You may also be prescribed exercises to do at home on your own, typically from the position of sitting or lying down. In order to prevent accidents, continue using a walker, crutch, or cane until your physical therapist gives you the go-ahead to walk on your own.
Physical therapy may last as long as 6 weeks to ensure that your leg heals up to tip-top shape. However, most patients see a significant increase in mobility within just a month of receiving surgery. Keep in mind, however, that you will have to be careful with your new knee: you should still avoid running, jumping, and exercises that put undue strain on your leg if you want a problem-free recovery.
Though you’ll always have to be a little careful with the leg, you may not even need to use a crutch or cane in the long term. Plus, as long as you follow your doctor’s orders, like those given by Joseph P. Spott, DO, to the letter, you’ll end up with far more mobility and much less pain than before the surgery, which will help you keep going for years to come.