5 Tips to help you to prepare for knee replacement surgery

If your Orthopaedic consultant has recommended you have knee replacement surgery and you have decided to have the procedure. These tips below can help you to get started and improve your surgical outcome. Please be aware that you are not alone, and we are there to help you in your journey.

1.  Be clear with your expectations from the surgery

It is important to know what to expect before, during and after your surgery so that you can have the best possible outcome. Your GP or surgeon can give you information and advice to ensure you are as prepared as possible. Feel free to ask them questions about the surgery itself, what you should be doing to prepare and how long your recovery is likely to take. If you have any concerns, make sure you ask them in advance of your hospital stay so you can be sure you are making an informed decision. Make a list of questions you have and bring them to your appointment.

2.    Build your self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is a persons belief in their ability to complete a task or achieve a goal.

Knee replacement surgery will cause pain for few weeks to few months and needs a lot of effort from you to reap the rewards of the surgery. A large part of your recovery is down to your own motivation. Regular exercise to restore strength and mobility to your knee and a gradual return to everyday activities are important for your full recovery after the surgery. Individuals with high self-efficacy look at difficulties as challenges rather than threats. Few suggestions to improve your self-efficacy.

  * Consider a time when someone said something positive and encouraging that helped you achieve a goal.

 * Performing a task successfully strengthens our sense of self-efficacy.

  * Witnessing other people successfully complete a task is another important source of self-efficacy.

 *  Minimise stress.

3.  Improve your general health and wellbeing.

Think about what you can do to improve your health before the surgery.

Stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating more healthily, and keeping active all help you recover more quickly after surgery. Ask a healthcare provider or your GP practice about lifestyle support available to you.

4.    Stay active as possible

Staying active is important if you are waiting for or recovering from surgery. If you’re fit and strong, your surgery has the best chance of success, and you’ll likely recover quicker. The fitter you are before your operation, the less likely you are to have complications during and after your surgery. Listen to your body and stop if it’s too much!

5.    Prehab

A Preoperative Rehabilitation programme is designed by your physiotherapist to aid your body before surgery to improve the chances of a positive outcome and prepare you for the surgery. This includes an individualised tailored exercise program to build up the muscles ahead of an operation can have beneficial effects on postoperative recovery.

"Prehab is equally important to post rehab".

We are specialists in Pre & Post operative rehabilitation, do not burden yourself alone. Book an appointment with us for a comprehensive assessment and customised treatment plan.