Going through knee replacement surgery is a challenge in itself. However, you need to be mindful of your aftercare for a fast recovery from that situation. There are a few things that you must follow as a part of your routine. That will assist in bringing back the strength of your bones and knees. It could be through diet, nutrition supplements, exercises, plenty of rest, etc. Here, we are sharing some of the best tips that you can follow after your surgery. Each point has its importance to play in this whole scenario. So, let’s find out what changes you need to bring into your lifestyle to heal faster.
Healing from anything requires proper nutrition and nourishment. It is so that we can use the benefits of some good vitamins and minerals to get better. Plus, they have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that assist in killing bacterial growth. So, switch to a very healthy nutrition diet for a while. Therefore, your daily meal should include dairy products, meat, leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, etc. They will ensure you have enough iron, vitamins, calcium, protein, etc., in your body. Also, try to avoid junk and oily food for a while. It will add to your stored fat and cause trouble with your knee replacement. The reason is that extra fats increase our weight, which is bad for our knees as they hold our weight. Because your physical activity will be low, you can’t burn calories.
Calcium is the building block of our bones. They are involved in the bone functions related to its growth, development, and maintenance. After calcium, the vitamin we need the most is vitamin D. Its job is to aid the mineral absorption in our bones. Hence, you must have both of them in a suitable range for the best recovery of your knees. You should intake calcium and vitamin D-rich foods and a calcium D3 tablet. Thus, your diet should include milk, cheese, yogurt, kale, okra, mushrooms, etc., to accomplish the goal. It is the best way to ensure that your body won’t lack these nutrients. Plus, one needs them the most when it comes to bone recovery.
Our knees are very fragile right after the surgery happens. We cannot put extra pressure or weight on them, or else there are chances they may collapse. Thus, we recommend getting a walker or crutches for the healing period. You can use them to walk around in your house after your knee replacement. These tools are beneficial in assisting you to move when you have an injury. Also, you will keep your legs active without putting them under much pressure. Remember to walk for 10-15 minutes every day with these to put your knees into the practice of walking again. Once your knees are strong enough to hold your weight, you will not require them anymore. Until then, keep them close so you can go to the bathroom or any other place without much trouble.
A good diet and exercise are the best combination to strengthen your bones and muscles. Their need increases when our bones are going through a cell renewal or healing process. You cannot go for a heavy workout because your knees are too weak. But you can definitely do some light movements to keep your joint bone healthy. It includes straight leg raises, quadriceps sets, ankle pumps, knee bends, and many more. Generally, the doctor themselves suggests what exercise would be better for the patient during that situation. It may differ from person to person depending on the intensity of pain and surgery. But it is essential to have an exercise routine to keep the knees active and functioning.
In most cases, knee replacement surgery sometimes causes joint pain. Hence, the person must be ready with his joint pain remedy list that he can use during those times. That will help in reducing the discomfort you might be feeling. Some of them are hot and cold therapy, acupuncture, yoga, etc. You can also refer to foods and herbs that work excellently to empower our joints. For instance, green tea, avocados, flaxseeds, walnuts, brassica vegetables, and many more. If nothing works, you can get a joint pain tablet for yourself. Those can be your painkillers to reduce the excruciating pain you are going through. Bone supplements are also an option for fast recovery and reducing joint pain. They are rich in nutrients, so they can help nourish your body with calcium and vitamin D.
Right after knee replacement surgery, one must be caring and responsive about their wound and dressing. If they avoid being hygienic or regular about it, the possibility of terrible infections increases. Hence, the patient or his caretaker must follow all the instructions shared with them regarding recovery. That means taking medications on time, exercising, dressing, cleaning the area as instructed, and so on. Eating veggies, dairy products, calcium supplements, fruits, etc., are also a part of vital aftercare. So, you must obey all the medical care and instructions that your doctor has shared. Your job does not end here. Try to notice whether you can see the positive changes in your knees. If your knee gets better as the days pass, you can continue with your treatment. However, if you notice pain, cyst, or infection, you must share it with your doctor to seek better medical solutions.
As we know, it becomes really tough for the person to roam around their home right after knee replacement. Therefore, modifying the patient’s room through a few changes can make it more accessible. For instance, make sure his room has an attached bathroom. The bed height shouldn’t be too low or high so that he can easily climb without any danger. Shift his wardrobe nearby so he can reach his belongings more easily. All these small steps make their room more accessible for them. Also, make sure that the patient has a phone or a bell to call for help whenever he wants. It will give them more comfort and convenience during their recovery phase.
They all are the minimum requirements a patient must do post-surgery. Avoiding them may slow your healing process and take longer for you to start walking normally again. The above suggestions are there to improve the speed of recovery. Hence, maintaining continuity will be a boon for the person. Also, the person should have his family or friends to help him with his daily chores. The knee replacement demands lots of rest and restricted movements. If they have made all these arrangements priorly, it is a matter of a couple of months. After that, they will be back on track with powerful and fierce knees.
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