A lot of people who have been recommended to undergo knee replacement may think that right after the surgery they are going to have a completely pain-free life, however, it is important to know that great things take time. The surgery addresses the problem but you still have a long way to go. After you are discharged your main focus should be on recovery and rehabilitation.
Generally, it takes a couple of days or even weeks to get back to a normal pain-free life. Even though you may be able to resume certain activities, it is important to make sure that you are not unnecessarily straining your knee. You have to be very careful about certain things, indulge in habits that aid your recovery and get rid of those that may hinder the same. In this blog, we have written about some of the most important things that matter while you are recovering from a knee replacement, with the help of an expert specialising in knee replacement in Gurugram.
Hospital stay and discharge - Depending on the overall prognosis, patients are usually discharged within about 4 days, however, before you leave for your home, there are a few milestones that are to be achieved.
Once these goals have been achieved, you will be discharged from the hospital, however, if you are not able to accomplish these, you might be required to stay at the hospital for a little longer.
Making necessary arrangements at home - Even if it is for a short period, your life is not going to be the same after the surgery, till you have recovered completely. You will need to make a few arrangements at home to make sure that when you are back from the hospital, your life is comfortable and hassle-free.
Take extra care of the wound - Although the risks of infection are significantly low nowadays as compared to earlier times, we cannot simply ignore them. You need to follow the set of guidelines recommended by your doctor to keep off such risks.
Add exercise to your daily routine - If you think that sitting in bed all day is going to help you recover faster, you need to reconsider that thought. A sedentary lifestyle is only going to add more complications to the process of recovery. It not only hampers the healthy circulation of blood to the surgical site but also promotes weight gain.
Use an assistive device - You can use a walker, cane or even crutches to alleviate some load from your knees post-surgery. Experts specialising in orthopaedic surgery in Gurugram suggest that assistive devices not only make your lives convenient but also bring down the risks of tripping or falling.
Go for cold therapy - To alleviate pain, swelling and inflammation, after the surgery, doctors recommend cold therapy.
Bring down the swelling - It is normal to experience mild to moderate swelling after a knee replacement procedure and it can last for as long as 3 to 6 months. To manage the swelling you can try the following:
Stick to the recommended diet - If your doctors have prescribed a diet chart, make sure to follow it religiously. This is usually personalised to meet your required calorie intake and to ensure that you do not miss out on any of the important nutrients that play a vital role in your recovery.
Prioritise Rest and Sleep - After the surgery, most patients are eager to get back to their daily routines. Some might even push themselves to indulge in certain activities.
To know more about how knee replacement and whether it is an option for you, consult the top orthopaedic doctors today.
Dr. Rohit Lamba, Head of the Department & Senior Consultant
Bone, Joint Replacement And Orthopaedics
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