Top 5 Mistakes After Knee Replacement

Introduction

A knee replacement surgery, sometimes referred to as a knee arthroplasty, is a very popular and effective procedure for patients with severe arthritis and pain in the knee joint. A major step towards regaining mobility, confidence, and pain-free life is getting a knee replacement. However, the process doesn't finish after the procedure; there are a few crucial actions to do in the post-operative phase following knee replacement surgery. 

The following article helps you to understand the top 5 mistakes that people make following a knee replacement.

What Are The Top 5 Mistakes After Knee Replacement?

Knee replacement surgery is a popular and very successful surgical procedure. For patients with severe knee arthritis, it reduces discomfort and enhances knee function.  Thoughtfully planned aftercare is crucial to optimizing the results of your knee replacement surgery. Following a knee replacement, patients frequently make the following mistakes; these are the top 5:

• Avoiding movement or rehabilitation
• Overdoing it too soon (Doing too much activity too soon or going back to work too soon)
• Ignoring warning indicators or red flags
• Straying from the pain relief plan
• Attempting to work alone 

1. Avoiding movement or rehabilitation

It is quite common to experience pain following a knee replacement surgery. Pain can prevent people from moving and is a major barrier to recovery. But most find that their pain improves with activity, up to a point. Moving frequently is essential, particularly in the early stages of your recovery. For optimal benefits, you should walk frequently throughout the day and perform your physical therapy exercises.

Exercise and physical therapy are essential for rebuilding knee joint strength, flexibility, and function. Muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and a restricted range of motion can result from missing therapy sessions or failing to perform recommended exercises. Engaging in your rehabilitation plan is essential if you want to get the best possible results.

It's important to move around frequently to prevent your knee from stiffening up too much because this can make it difficult for you to perform your workouts. Go for frequent, brief walks and finish your workout regimen as directed by your physiotherapist to prevent this. 

2. Doing too much activity too soon or going back to work too soon

Exercise is a vital part of the healing process, but pushing yourself too hard or going back to work too soon might cause stress on your healing knee joint. Overextending oneself might cause difficulties and slow down the healing process in general. Increase your degree of activity gradually while following your healthcare team's instructions.

After having a knee replacement surgery, you'll need to gradually resume these activities:

• Driving and climbing stairs after a knee replacement surgery:  You may have severe pain and functional limitations following knee replacement surgery for three to six months. Following surgery, you won't be able to drive for at least six weeks, and you won't be able to climb stairs at first. 
• Involving in high-risk activities: After knee replacement surgery, involving in certain activities is not good for your recovery. In the early stages of recovery, heavy lifting tasks like moving large bags of dirt across the garden can put too much strain on your newly healed knee. This can aggravate your knee joint, exacerbate your pain and swelling, and hinder your healing process.  Additionally, bending motions may aggravate your newly repaired knee. Early on after a knee replacement surgery, it's also advised against doing any activity that increases the chance of falling, including riding a bike. Try a static bike instead if you want to begin moving; the chances of being hurt are significantly reduced. 
• Going back to work: You should be prepared to take considerable time off from work if you have a physical job. For every procedure, a different amount of time off work is needed. How long you'll probably be unable to work can be advised by your knee surgeon. When returning to work, those with desk jobs should have an advantage over those with more active jobs. Making sure you're prepared before going back is still crucial, though. Think about managing your discomfort, travelling to and from work, and transportation. 

3.  Ignoring warning indicators or red flags

Red flags are warning indicators that should raise concerns about potential issues with your new knee. Before you leave the hospital, your surgeon or the medical staff will let you know about these.

Contact your doctor for advice as soon as possible if you experience sudden pain after a pain-free period, instability, increasing pain in the days after knee replacement surgery, increased pain, swelling and heat in your knee, pain, swelling and heat in your calf muscles.

4.  Straying from the pain relief plan

Following knee replacement surgery, medication is necessary to control inflammation and keep pain tolerable so that you can heal more quickly.  You won't be able to sleep properly if your knee discomfort is too severe, which will hinder your recovery. Furthermore, you won't be able to finish the mobility exercises and other physical therapy necessary for your rehabilitation if your pain level is too high.  A common mistake is to wait to take the medication until the pain starts to worsen rather than taking it on a regular basis.

Recovery from a knee replacement surgery requires careful attention to pain and infection control. Antibiotics and other prescription drugs should be used exactly as directed. Failure to do so can delay the healing process and perhaps raise the risk of problems. For a speedy recovery, it's essential that you take your medications as prescribed by your physician.

5. Attempting to Do It Alone

Your knee replacement surgery will be performed by a team of experts committed to making sure you heal as quickly as feasible. Attending your checkups is essential. If something doesn't feel right or you have questions, don't hesitate to ask for help.

When it comes to resuming driving, sports, employment, and other activities, your surgeon will offer recommendations and advice. In case you're not sure if you're fit to resume activity, get in touch with your healthcare team and adhere to the guidelines given. Advice on pain management and wound healing can be obtained from your nursing staff. In addition to recommending equipment and modifications to make daily tasks easier for you, your physiotherapist can assist you in practicing movements and activities that you find challenging. 

Let your loved ones and friends assist you. You might require assistance with meal preparation, getting to and from appointments, and other household tasks for a brief period of time after knee replacement surgery. 

Conclusion

The top five mistakes that patients make following knee replacement surgery include not exercising or receiving physical therapy, returning to activities too soon, failing to recognise symptoms that indicate their condition is getting worse, not following their pain management plan, and attempting to handle everything on their own. These mistakes could cause the treatment to move more slowly or possibly have an impact on how the technique works. Taking up the notion of rehabilitation and exercising, gradually increasing activity, paying attention to signals that indicate worsening conditions, adhering to pain management principles, and relying on healthcare professionals and family members are critical foundational strategies for a true life-altering recovery process.

The best knee replacement surgeon in Delhi is Dr. Ishwar Bohra; choose him for your procedure. After a knee replacement, Dr. Bohra will do all in his power to help you avoid making these top 5 mistakes. Make an appointment right away.

FAQs

Q: Is there any age limit for knee replacement surgery?

A: When it comes to knee replacement surgery, there is no right or wrong age. You can be given consideration for a knee replacement if you have severe pain in your knees that makes it difficult for you to walk, sit, or work. The majority of patients with knee replacements are between the ages of 50 and 70.

Q: Who is the best knee replacement surgeon in Delhi?

A: Dr. Ishwar Bohra is one of the best knee replacement surgeons in Delhi.  He adopts a flexible and patient-focused strategy. His exceptional success rates and careful, gentle joint care have earned him widespread recognition. 

Q: What is the cost of knee replacement surgery in Delhi? 

A: A knee replacement surgery in Delhi usually costs between INR 2,80,000 and INR 3,20,000.