Depending on your recovery and the type of knee replacement you receive, you will typically stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days. Partial knee replacement patients typically stay in the hospital for a shorter period of time. You might be allowed to leave the hospital the same day in some hospitals.
The muscles and tissues surrounding your new knee will take time to heal, and you could initially feel extremely exhausted. If you have any specific concerns or questions, consult your GP and abide by their advice. Following your hospital discharge, you can be eligible for up to six weeks of home assistance and assistance devices. Additionally, you might want to make plans for someone to assist you for a week or so. Your physical therapy exercises are a crucial component of your recovery. It is critical that you continue with them once you get home. A physiotherapist will keep an eye on your recovery.
In the first 12 weeks following surgery, you’ll need to put in a lot of effort and endure some uncomfortable knee workouts. It’s crucial to exercise your new knee so that the tendons, ligaments, and muscles around it don’t stiffen up.
Following a knee replacement surgery, some swelling is typical for three months or longer. Use an ice pack as prescribed and keep your leg elevated to reduce swelling. Compression stockings may also be advised by your physician.
You should be able to move around by the end of the first day after surgery. Within the first 24 hours, you begin working with a physical therapist who helps you stand and walk using a walker while also instructing how to get in and out of bed and a chair.
In your hospital room, the therapist shows you how to place your leg in a continuous passive motion machine; the machine moves your knee very gently through flexing and straightening, which helps it strengthen and heal.
You may use it at home for as long as your doctor has prescribed it.
Drink a lot of liquids to stay hydrated. However, avoid drinking alcohol after surgery as it slows recovery. Consume fiber- and vitamin- and mineral-rich whole, unprocessed foods.
Your knees will experience less strain if you maintain a healthy weight. If you were obese before your surgery, you should consider a medically supervised weight-loss program to assist you in getting rid of the extra pounds and keeping them off.
