Precautions to Take After Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery in Dallas can completely change the lives of those who receive it. Living with constant knee pain and poor mobility can be extremely difficult, and a knee replacement can be the difference that allows you to live your life to the fullest again. As life changing as knee replacement surgery can be, however, it is still an invasive procedure that requires special care during the recovery process.
Knee Replacement Surgery in Dallas: Keeping Your Recovery Process Smooth
Do you or a loved one have a knee replacement surgery coming up? Here are a few tips concerning the care of your knee during the weeks following your surgery:
Don’t tough out the pain—treat it. Some surgery recipients prefer to avoid painkillers as much as possible due to the risk of addiction or side effects. However, living with the pain can make post-surgery physical therapy extremely difficult, leading to decreased results and even persisting chronic pain after the recovery process.
Avoid sitting in one position for excessive amounts of time. Your physical therapist will clarify proper sitting, laying, and walking practices as your knee heals. However, knee replacement recipients across the board can experience painful stiffness after sitting in the same position for too long. Additionally, make sure that your knees and feet are pointed straight ahead when sitting.
Use a cane or walker. After knee replacement surgery, one of the most damaging accidents that can occur is a fall, and readjusting to walking properly after a knee replacement can take some time. Therefore, utilizing walking aids like walkers and canes can help to ensure that the knee heals properly by reducing the risk of falls.
Tread carefully on the stairs. Avoiding stair climbing may seem like an obvious piece of advice after a knee replacement, but not every home allows for complete avoidance. Therefore, you can ease the pressure on your recovering knee by stepping first with the leg that didn’t receive surgery when going up the stairs and stepping first with the leg that did receive surgery when going down. Also, make sure to take it slow for the sake of your recovering muscles, especially in the first few weeks.
Avoid heavy lifting. In order for your knee to make a full recovery, it’s important to avoid lifting anything heavier than 20 pounds for the first few weeks after surgery. This could include garbage bags, groceries, and even pets.
Looking for the best orthopedic surgeon in Dallas? Contact Dallas Orthopedic Associates today.