Complete recovery from knee surgery needs time and a lot of patience for both the individual and the caretaker. Knee replacement surgery is mainly done to replace knee joints affected with osteoarthritis due to poor diet, low physical activity, and some accidents. This surgery provides permanent relief from knee pain and swelling. However, the recovery may get slow and poor in some cases, resulting in several complications.
This article will discuss the tips for making a healthy recovery after knee replacement in older adults.
Tips for a healthy recovery
Following are the tips for post-knee surgery recovery:
- Room arrangements
Make the home environment friendly and set the room on the ground floor to avoid climbing stairs. Make the bed comfortable by keeping the pillow below the lower leg to lift it.
Moreover, arrange a room with an attached washroom. If not, place a commode along their bedside and ensure the bed is not too high or too ground.
- Accessories
Manage all the accessories, including medicated footwear, comfortable sleepwear, a bell to call anyone for help, and a walker or crutches to move into the house quickly.
- Medications
Do not skip prescribed medications, change the bandage to maintain proper hygiene, and wash your hand afterward. Use an ice pack for post-surgical knee pain, as orthopedic specialists recommend.
- Household task
For patients with knee replacement surgery, it is difficult to do any household work, such as cleaning, laundering, and cooking. Thus, arrange an alternative like ready-made meals or someone who can cook and manage other household tasks.
- Rehab, physiotherapy, and activity
Physical activity and exercise are necessary to keep the body active. Walking for 15 minutes twice or thrice a day, in the beginning, is helpful to keep the blood flow regular, and doing some exercise for 20 minutes twice a day may be beneficial after a month of surgery. Then increase the duration of walk and exercise.
- Balanced diet
Nutritious food provides good health and keeps you going for long. People with surgery need a better meal plan which includes all the food groups. Vegetables, meat, fruit, and whole grains all are nutritious and provide essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals the body needs for proper functioning.
- Better sleep and mindfulness techniques
Mindfulness is essential for every individual, especially those with an injury. People after having knee replacement surgery are on medicine and need to sleep properly with a peaceful mind. Improved sleep helps the body and brain to work actively, thus making the wound heal fast.
Conclusion
Knee replacement surgery is painful and challenging for the patient and their family. Without the support of family and friends, this isn’t easy to get healed and gain a better recovery. Avoid doing any heavy activity or household chores, get proper sleep, and eat a balanced diet. Moreover, wear comfortable footwear and make the necessary arrangements in the room to make yourself comfortable in the room after surgery. Also, visiting a rehabilitation center and doing mindfulness exercises can help you navigate toward a healthy recovery.