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You have undergone knee replacement surgery. The doctor has recommended a set of things to do after a certain period of bed rest. You are home alone trying to recover from the surgery and not sure how your knee will heal. Now what?
Rest
Taking complete rest for a few days or weeks is an excellent way to heal your knees after serious surgery. Keep a diary, record your feelings, track your progress and try to attain your goals one step at a time. Keep your doctor informed of any changes to your body. Use this time to relax your body and mind.
Plenty of sleep is what your knees need at this point. Good, restorative sleep gives your body a chance to heal the knees naturally and restore itself completely. Muscles and cells surrounding the knees are given an opportunity to repair while you sleep. The amount of sleep needed varies from one person to another.
If the pain is excruciating, obviously you will be prescribed painkillers, but the sleep will make it more effective and work faster. If you have trouble sleeping, make sure not to take caffeine, tobacco or other stimulants that keep you awake.
Medications
The medications used to treat knee surgery are varied. Some of them are OTC varieties, others are heavy-duty prescription painkillers given depending on the extent of pain you are suffering from. The choice of medication is up to your doctor. Additionally, medications prescribed by your treating physician should be taken responsibly.
Read the label each time you take the drug and take the amount as prescribed without fail. Most medications are required to be stored in a cool, dry place. If the dose seems to be causing uneasiness for some reasons, talk to your doctor before attempting to change the dose. In essence, the best thing to do is to do what is being prescribed to you by your treating physician.
Exercise
Exercise programs work for some but after knee surgery, these programs need to be approached cautiously and with full approval from your doctor. While mild exercise can be beneficial for the knees, exercising more than you can handle at once can put you over the edge and make the matter worse.
According to patient handling Australia, one of the professionals, anything and everything in moderation is fine. For example, light walking is a good place to start. It is important to determine which form of exercise is best for your situation. Better yet, start with your routine. Set reasonable goals. Do not walk more than a mile in your first outing. Alter your goals to accommodate the pain and side effects of knee surgery as well.
Water aerobics works well for those whose knees have been replaced. For maximum comfort, the water temperature should be around 90 degrees. You can either use this technique at home or use a fitness gym where you will likely find the staff to lend a hand in case you need help.
Other forms of exercise recommended by your physician or an experienced therapist can help a lot toward your progress. Besides strengthening your knees, these mild exercises can help you maintain your weight. Less weight equates to less pressure on the knees and decreased risk of further injuries.
Therapies
Many alternative therapies have been proved useful for healing knee after surgery. One such therapy is meditation. Relaxing your mind is a wonderful stress buster when you are going through a lot of pain. Anything that you can do to reduce your stress and anxiety caused by the surgery is good for healing. However, consult your doctor before you sign up for alternative therapy programs.
