What Precautions to Take Before and After Knee Replacement Surgery

As you grow older, the cartilage and joints of your body become weak and get damaged. Because of this, you will experience pain and swelling in your knees that keeps on increasing with time. You may face difficulty in walking or standing for a longer time and it will become difficult for you to perform your daily life activities. Your surgeon might suggest you undergo total knee replacement surgery if your pain cannot be healed with medication and physical therapy.

But before going for knee replacement surgery, you must follow some preventive measures that will help you to recover faster and without any complications. Your orthopedic surgeon will suggest you some preventive methods before and after the surgery which will help you to regain your knee mobility easily. To know more about these preventive methods, you can also take expert help on online Q&A platform.

Precautions to take before Knee Replacement Surgery

Follow some important care tips before the total knee replacement surgery –

• Home Set -up
  • The area used by the patients should not be slippery
  • Footstools and scatter rugs must be placed everywhere to avoid slipping
• Washroom Set-up
  • The patient must only use the western toilet. If there is no western toilet in the home, the patient must buy a commode chair before the surgery
  • The washroom must have holders and railings installed along with high-raised chairs
  • The patient must prefer bathing with a hand shower instead of bucket water
• Medications
  • Your orthopedic surgeon will also ask you to avoid taking any anti-inflammatory drugs that will make it difficult in blood clotting
  • Your surgeon may also advise avoiding medicines that can increase the chance of infection
  • Any patient getting a cold or flu before the surgery must report this to their doctors
• Alcohol and Tobacco consumption
  • A patient may also be suggested to cut down the tobacco consumption as smoking can hinder blot clotting
  • The doctors will also suggest you to stop your alcohol consumption as it can influence the anesthesia effect

Precautions to take after Knee Replacement Surgery

Follow some important care tips post-surgery to recover faster –

• Using Washroom
  • Avoid bathing in a bathtub after the surgery as it will be difficult for you to sit at the bottom and get up
  • Avoid bending and Squatting in trying to reach for objects that are far away from your reach
• Dressing
  • Always wear your clothes while taking support or by sitting on a chair
  • Consider wearing normal clothes and open shoes or loafers without laces so that you don’t have to bend
• Sitting, Standing, Walking or Lying down
  • Avoid sitting in the same position for a longer time (more than 60 minutes)
  • Sit on a hard chair. Avoid sitting on stools or chairs that are too low
  • For the first 15 days after the surgery, use crutches or walkers for walking or getting up from a chair
  • Consider taking small steps when you just began walking after the surgery
  • Always prefer wearing orthopedic shoes or slippers that are comfortable, slip-resistant and have a cushion
  • Keep your knees straight while you are lying down. Avoid putting a pillow below your knee
• Using stairs
  • If you are using a stair, consider putting the first step from the leg that doesn’t have surgery
  • Use one step at a time on the stairs
  • Always take support of the banister or wall while moving up and down the stairs
• Riding a Car
  • Driving should be avoided for 3 months after the knee replacement surgery
  • Avoid sitting in cars that have low seats. If the seats are low, use a pillow for support
  • Avoid long rides and take 30 minutes of breaks between the journey to walk
  • Consult your orthopedic doctors for doing simple exercises that will not apply too much pressure on your knees

Also Read: Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery Time

These tips can be considered by all knee replacement patients. You must always consider the advice of your orthopedic surgeon for precautions to take before and after the surgery. If you experience any pain or discomfort after the joint replacement, immediately contact your doctor. You can also book a consultation or request a call back from the best knee replacement surgeon in Delhi by contacting Cure My Knee.
Source: Taking care of your new knee joint