Undergoing knee replacement surgery is a major milestone in your journey toward better mobility and a better quality of life. Although the first few days after surgery can feel challenging, your body’s resilience will kick in, and you may find yourself starting to feel better faster than you expected.
While this is a great sign, it’s important to remember that your new knee isn’t fully healed yet. Recovery is a process that demands time, effort, and a thoughtful approach to ensure the best outcome. One thing to be mindful of? Avoiding common missteps that could slow your recovery or lead to complications.
Follow your physical therapy plan
Physical therapy is the foundation of recovering your mobility after a major surgery like this. It’s not just about regaining movement in your knee—it’s also about restoring strength, flexibility, and stability. Ignoring or skipping your physical therapy sessions is one of the biggest mistakes you can make after knee replacement surgery.
Your therapist tailors a plan specifically for you, constantly taking into account your progress and current challenges. This plan builds gradually to help you regain full functionality without overloading your knee. Skipping appointments or not doing at-home exercises can delay your recovery timeline or even compromise the long-term success of your procedure.
Rules of thumb:
- Commit to attending every therapy session on your schedule. Think of it as a non-negotiable part of your day.
- Don’t shy away from asking your physical therapist for clarification if you find any exercises difficult—we may offer modifications to make them easier.
- Stay consistent with your at-home exercises, as they’re crucial for supplementing your in-office sessions.
Go easy and gradually with your knee
While enthusiasm is an excellent trait during what can feel like a never-ending rehab process, it can sometimes lead patients to overdo it. Whether it’s attempting vigorous exercises or climbing the stairs too soon, overexertion can lead to swelling, stiffness, and even injury to your new joint.
It can be tempting to fast-track your recovery, especially if you’ve started to feel better earlier than anticipated. However, remember that the tissues, muscles, and ligaments around your knee may not be on the same timeline as you want them to be.
Rules of thumb:
- Follow your surgeon’s and physical therapist’s advice about activities and avoid skipping steps in your recovery plan.
- Gradually ease into using your knee by counting steps each day, including standing and sitting.
- If you notice excessive swelling, pain, or discomfort, tell your therapist, take a break, and give your body time to rest.
Maintain flexibility and move your knee regularly
One of the top priorities after knee replacement is ensuring that your new joint doesn’t become stiff. Many patients make the mistake of underestimating how important consistent movement and stretching are for maintaining flexibility from day to day, or even in the long run.
Whether out of fear of pain or a lack of expert guidance, it’s easy to limit your movements during knee surgery rehab and focus solely on rest. Unfortunately, failing to work on bending and straightening your knee can make stiffness worse over time.
Rules of thumb:
- Gradually work on straightening and bending your knee as recommended by your physical therapist. Early progress can make a big difference.
- Incorporate low-impact stretching routines into your day to help maintain flexibility.
- Use tools like a stationary bike under the guidance of your therapist to gently promote movement without straining your knee.
Learn effective pain management techniques
Recovering from knee replacement surgery comes with some level of discomfort, and managing pain effectively is key to being able to make constant progress. However, some patients make the mistake of falling to an extreme on the spectrum for pain management: either over-relying on pain medications or avoiding them entirely, leading to unnecessary discomfort or dependence.
Rules of thumb:
- Follow your doctor’s guidance on medication and take advantage of non-medication pain relief methods like icing your knee, elevating your leg, and using compression wraps.
- Stay ahead of the pain instead of waiting for it to become severe. In addition, taking pain medications as prescribed before a PT appointment ensures you can complete the session without significant discomfort.
- Explore relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation, as these can help manage stress-related aspects of pain.
Change your lifestyle for the better
Finally, a successful recovery doesn’t end with only your knee feeling better. Many patients benefit from adopting a new but sustainable healthy lifestyle to protect and enhance their knees and overall health.
Even something as simple as practicing a positive outlook can help. It’s the difference between: “How can I use this time to better serve myself for the long term?” instead of: “Why isn’t this going faster?”
Rules of thumb:
- Fuel your body with a nutrient-rich diet to support healing. Focus on foods high in protein and vitamins that give you plenty of energy while you rest and heal.
- Incorporate low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, or yoga into your routine to strengthen your muscles and keep your new knee healthy.
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce strain on your knee and prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your joint over time.
- Avoid or quit harmful habits like smoking, which can delay tissue healing and increase complication risks.
Post-surgery recovery advice and care in North Carolina
Recovering from knee replacement surgery takes patience, dedication, and, most importantly, the right support system. At our clinics in Southport, Southern Pines, and Seven Lakes, we’re here to help you heal properly and work toward your goals.
Whether you’re looking ahead to your own surgery or are preparing to take care of a loved one, we’re here to help. Get started by calling one of our clinics or by requesting an appointment online today.
