How to look after your new Knee- Top 5 tips!

Knee replacement has become a common treatment for people with end-stage arthritis of the knee that have exhausted non-surgical treatment options. Currently over 100,000 knee replacement procedures are performed in the United Kingdom in each calendar year. Recovery is hard and doing it alone can make it even harder. To have a plan and a support system is crucial. They can help you with daily activities and ensure you’re following your recovery plan.In this blog I share the top 5 tips to look after your new knee

1.    Have a Recovery Plan

It usually takes around a year to recover fully after a knee replacement. But you should be able to resume most of your usual activities six weeks after surgery. Speak to your physiotherapist to get a tailored recovery plan which usually includes, pain management, graded activity levels, regular home exercises and icepack application with a balance of good rest and nutrition.

2.    Don’t do too much too soon.

Doing too much too soon could slow down your recovery due to unnecessary pain and swelling. Give yourself time, Healing takes time.

Pacing your activities is the key in post operative recovery, having a good balance of activity and rest will keep your pain under control and help you to gain better control.

3.    Full weight bearing and moving as natural as tolerable.

After knee replacement surgery it is vital to fully weight bear as tolerable (unless advised by your physiotherapist). Weight-bearing is an activity that the skeletal system does against gravity. By weight-bearing, the skeletal system adapts to the impact of muscles and body weight and becomes more stable and stronger. The more you try to protect the operated side, the new joint is prone to stiffness and the muscles may not engage sufficiently to protect the joint and enhance bone and tissue healing.

4.    Exercises not a substitute to walking.

Walking is not a substitute for your exercises. Start with short walks throughout the day and slowly increase them as you improve. A sudden increase in your activity levels may cause more swelling, more stiffness, and more pain. Walking is the ideal way to build up the strength in your knee. When you begin to walk, use smaller steps, and go for a short distance so you don’t tire your knee. You will be able to gradually increase the distance without causing any discomfort.

5.    Post Operative Physiotherapy

Educating our patients is a cornerstone of our approach. We make sure you understand your treatment plan, the exercises you need to perform, and how to take care of your new knee. Knowing what to expect and how to manage your recovery can make a significant difference in your outcome.

Are you ready to take the next step in your recovery? Our dedicated team at Accord is here to guide you through every phase of your journey.

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