Things to Expect After Knee Replacement and Getting Back to Active Lifestyle

Knee replacement surgery (or knee arthroplasty) is a treatment for relieving knee pain. Meanwhile, it helps you get active after osteoarthritis or knee injury.

Around 9 out of 10 people notice a significant improvement in their movement and quality of life after the surgical procedure. However, patients may take up to three months or more to get back to their regular activities. 

And, for full recovery, it may take around 6 months to 1 year. After all, recovery needs time. So, you must have realistic expectations.

What to Expect After Knee Replacement Surgery?

Here, we share some important things to expect for your recovery after the surgery by the best knee replacement surgeon in Kolkata.

Physical Therapy is Vital to Getting Back to an Active Lifestyle

Physical therapy is the first step to your pain-free journey and enjoying a more active lifestyle. After the surgery, you need to be committed to remaining active for a few weeks and the following months. With physical therapy, it is easier to get back on your feet while resuming your routine activity. 

Recovery Starts Step-By-Step

Soon after the knee surgery, the recovery process starts slowly but immediately. It is crucial to get in and out of the bed even on the same day of the surgery. You also learn to use the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. The CPM is vital to help you continue your recovery process at home. 

Within 24 hours of knee replacement surgery, a physical therapist helps you stand and walk on the new knee using a walker. Initially, a therapist guides your steps to ensure you can walk safely on a new knee.

Physical Therapy Begins at Home

After the hospital stay, you have to start using the CPM machine at home to keep your knee moving. The constant motion in the knee is important to prevent immobility, stiffness, and scar tissue build-up. In around the next three weeks after the surgery, you start gaining mobility and strength while using a cane, walker, or crutches.

With a constant routine of gentle, strength-building exercises, your knee pain will start to decrease gradually.

After 3-6 Weeks of Surgery

When you already have good overall health, it is easier to lead a perfect active lifestyle even after the surgery. In around 3-6 weeks after the surgery, you can start riding a stationary bike for increasing mobility and build strength.

The exercises suggested by a physical therapist often focus on making your hamstrings, quads, and hip muscles strong. Meanwhile, it helps with overall stability.

You may feel pain around the knee joint in the first few weeks but don’t be discouraged. To reduce pain, you can use ice and keep your knee elevated when not exercising.

Next 7-8 Weeks of Surgery

After 7-8 weeks after the surgery, you have to start indulging in little more complicated exercises for a longer duration. For instance, low-impact exercises like weight training, cycling, and swimming are perfect. But do such exercises under expert guidance.

Long-term Recovery

It takes around a year to regain your strength to do all your routine activities pain-free. But recovery can be early, depending on your health and exercise routine. It is best to get your knee replacement surgery done by the best knee replacement surgeon in Kolkata. The best surgeon often has a good staff at the hospital to make your recovery process convenient. 

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