Knees are put under a lot of stress during our lives; they carry us for years and support us in a variety of activities and sports.

For some, this strain becomes too severe, and they develop knee pain, stiffness, and discomfort over time.

After Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery is a last resort, that is done only after all non-invasive therapies have failed to improve the situation and restore knee function.

While any intrusive procedure might be frightening, knee replacement surgery is one of the most frequent joint replacement procedures.

To help the rehabilitation process go as smoothly as possible, several guidelines must be followed. While stretching and specialized workouts can help, some exercises and activities can actually hurt the process and slow it down.

Preparing for Knee Replacement Surgery

We’ll talk about recuperation and things to avoid later, but first, let’s go through what you should do before surgery and what measures you should take.

Prior to Knee Replacement Surgery

• Invest in a cane or walker. To minimize falls and other accidents, you’ll need some assistance walking following your operation; make sure you have a walking aid on hand before you leave the hospital.

• Make sure your house is in order. It will be difficult to move around at first, so move your bedroom to the first floor, eliminate any superfluous impediments (such as furniture), and put your most important items where you can readily access them.

• Make a request for assistance. In the days following surgery, you may feel your worst, so ask a family member, friend, or someone else to be there for you and assist you with routine everyday tasks.

• Consult your physician and a physical therapist. Consult a specialist about your recovery process and the activities you’ll need to perform to accelerate it, so you’re ready.

Avoid These Things After Knee Replacement Surgery

Let’s move on to what not to do following a knee replacement. Yes, exercising your knee is good for your health and recuperation, but improper exercise might impede healing and result in a sprained knee.

So, just as knowing which exercises to undertake is important, knowing which knee replacement exercises to avoid is equally important.

First and foremost, stay away from any contact sports that involve twisting and jerking of the knee.

• Intense exercises that raise the risk of loosening or fracturing the bones around the implant, or exercising too hard, can cause pain and swelling and should be avoided.

• Football, soccer, basketball, baseball, rugby, and high-risk sports like skiing and gymnastics are among them.

Other exercises to avoid after a knee replacement are listed below.

• Running and jogging place a lot of stress on the knees, which can cause pain and discomfort. If you used to run and miss it, brisk walking is a good alternative.

Increased pain and stiffness, swelling of the knee or lower leg, warmth, and other strange sensations around the knee are common symptoms.

• You can start by resting and icing your knee, but if the symptoms persist, you should seek medical help.

After Knee Replacement

It’s crucial to understand what you can and can’t do after a knee replacement, and one of the first concerns most patients have following surgery is “what should I avoid after knee replacement?”

• Aerobics and activities that include a lot of leaping might also put your knees at risk by causing knee twisting or jerking. Try to stay away from or change these.

• Hiking in the woods is fun but stay away from roots, rocks, and uneven terrain to avoid tripping, slipping, or twisting your knee. Instead, look for paths that are even.

• Due to the pressure, weight training, especially with heavy weights and squatting, is not safe for your knees. Avoid or make changes with the help of a specialist.

• Skateboarding, rollerblading, and extreme sports (such as surfing) should also be avoided because they increase the likelihood of falling or twisting the knees.

When should you see a doctor?

• You should contact a doctor if you believe you’ve pushed yourself too far and may have hurt yourself.

Also Consider These Things

• Sitting for an extended period of time increases the risk of blood clots and should be avoided, particularly in the first week or two after surgery.

• Avoid long durations of sitting cause drainage fluid to collect, which can lead to edema.

• One of the things you won’t be able to do after knee replacement takes stairs so avoid them until your doctor or physical therapist gives you the okay.

• Because you will be unstable on your feet following surgery, socks or slippery shoes offer a risk, so make sure you wear grip socks and non-slippery shoes to avoid falling.

• Walking without a cane can be dangerous, so don’t avoid it just because you’re “embarrassed” or think you can do it alone. During recuperation, it’s critical to keep injury and fall risks to a minimum.

• If you’re on medication, don’t drive.

Physical Therapy for Post Knee Replacement Recovery

We understand that surgery is merely the first step in the long process of restoring abilities and treating pain through Physical Therapy.

Following knee replacement surgery, orthopedic manual physical therapy can help you gain strength, flexibility and minimize pain while ensuring the best possible outcome.

Conclusion

Knowing what not to do after a knee replacement might help you avoid problems, such as twisting and jerking the knee, and prolong your rehabilitation. Miracle Rehab Clinic provides orthopedic physical therapy, so contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Intense workouts that raise the risk of loosening or fracturing the bones around the implant, such as running, leaping, football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and rugby, should be avoided.

If you are considering knee replacement surgery, and are in the Asheville, NC area, CONTACT us here at 1on1 Physical Therapy so we can plan for your rehabilitation that will get you back on track.

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