Did you undergo knee replacement surgery? Now you will be experiencing less pain and also can move about quite easily. Physiotherapy is an important part of the recovery process which you need to undertake as an after-care surgery requirements. You need to incorporate rehabilitation exercises in your schedule and this will help you to walk, climb stairs and return to your other normal activities as soon as possible.
What Are The Benefits Of Rehabilitation Exercises?
It is worthwhile to know that rehabilitation exercises prove to be very beneficial as it will help you to restore normal movement of your joints, build up strength in the joints and surrounding areas, ease pain and swelling and even help you to improve circulation.
Begin Physical Therapy Right After Surgery –
You can start your physiotherapy after a day or two of undergoing your surgery. In the beginning you may need some help to walk a few steps. A physiotherapist will show you a few simple exercises that you should start doing right away. These exercises are very safe and provide you with several benefits like – strengthening your leg, restoring your knee movement and also helping you to walk on your new knee.
Do Exercises At Home Or At Rehab Clinic –
Generally one needs to be at the hospital for about three days after the surgery. After you are discharged from the hospital, you can visit a rehabilitation facility. This facility offers you physiotherapy sessions for six days for a few weeks. Home physiotherapy and exercises are also useful, provided you do it properly. You will need in-home physiotherapy for quite a few days per week for about 4 to 6 weeks.
Useful Tips For Home Care –
- Let Your Wound Heal – You should ask your doctor for advice as to when it is safe for you to take shower after surgery.
- Eat Right – You should have nutritious foods after your surgery. Your doctor may advice you to have iron supplements or fiber-rich food for lowering possible problems with medications.
- Move Your New Knee – You should slowly embark on a regular walking plan. Moreover, you can also do some physical therapy moves few times in a day in your home.
Exercise Schedule –
For the first two days, after the surgery, the physiotherapist will guide you as to how you should get out of the bed. You might have to use a walker to take a few steps. The physiotherapist will also help you with a few bedside exercises. These exercises will help you to tighten your thigh muscles. Your day 2 schedule requires you to keep on doing exercises to strengthen your muscles that support your knee. You should practice bending and straightening your knees.
When you are discharged from the hospital, you should continue doing as much as physical therapy as possible. With some help, you can climb up some stairs also. Gradually, you can ramp up your exercises as your knee gets stronger day by day.
After completion of the 4 weeks, your physiotherapist will suggest you to add light weights to add resistance. It is highly recommended that you maintain your exercise schedule for at least 2 months after your surgery.
You should add more strengthening exercises gradually as you slowly build up your endurance level. Exercising schedule should be of 20 to 30 minutes for about two to three times every day or as recommended by your doctor. You should also start walking for about 5 minutes in the beginning and then increasing your walking time to about 20 to 30 minutes several times each day.
Return To Your Normal Life –
Most people need about 4 to 6 weeks to bend their knees properly. You can drive as soon as you can bend your knees and capable of getting in and out of your car. In about 3 to 6 weeks you can get up from a chair quite easily and even go for shopping. But, keep in mind that you might not be 100% free from your knee pain and if you feel pain at any time then you should consult your doctor immediately.
You should avoid putting stress on your knees by avoiding activities such as – Running, Skiing, playing Tennis and undertaking Sports that involve jumping.
However, the good news is that with your artificial knee you can keep doing activities such as Walking, Swimming, Golf, Dance, go on light hikes and even ride your bike etc. If you have any further questions, please book a consultation with our Physiotherapist at Befit Physiotherapy, Carlingford or Newest.