How To Recover From A Knee Replacement

Are you having knee replacement surgery and want to know what the recovery will be like? In this video Mike, lead physiotherapist at Circle Reading Hospital shares important information about the recovery process after knee replacement surgery. -- LINKS -- - For more information on knee pain visit - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/treatments/knee-pain - To search for a consultant near you - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/find-an-appointment – CHAPTERS -- 00:00 - 00:57 - Introduction 00:57 - 01:16 - Your Role And Commitment 01:16 - 01:51 - Pre-Assessment 01:51 - 02:52 - Day 1 02:52 - 03:35 - Week 2-6 03:35 - 04:20 - Week 6-12 04:20 - 05:09 - Outro How Important Is Being Dedicated To Your Physio? Although your physiotherapy team will help you through your recovery from knee replacement surgery, the majority of the work needs to be done by you. Recovery from knee replacement surgery requires your commitment and dedication to make sure your knee recovers as best as possible. You’re signing up for a full time job of exercise, and your dedication to pushing through the pain, and sticking to your rehabilitation plan will directly affect your recovery. Pre-assessment The first time they see a physio will be before your knee replacement surgery. As soon as you’ve made your decision to have knee replacement surgery you’ll be booked in with a physio. The physio will explain everything in detail and you’ll have the chance to ask any questions about your recovery and rehabilitation. If you’re able to, we’ll start you off on some simple exercises ahead of knee replacement surgery, so when it comes to doing the same movements after your procedure you’ll already be familiar with them. This saves you trying to learn new movements while you have pain and swelling. Day 1 In the days after surgery, while you're still in Hospital pain levels will be at their worst. The physio team will apply ice to your newly replaced knee joint and the priority initially will be making sure you’re able to extend your knee out straight. Pushing through the discomfort at this point is going to be the hardest so your physio will remind you not to be frightened of the pain - it’s very normal. You’ll start your physio almost straight away. Your physio will show you how to get up out of bed, walk with a walking aid and shower before you go home. The role of the physio is to give you the confidence to move your knee, to be able to get up and moving about - including getting up and down stairs so you’re safe to go home by around day two. You’ll have all your guidance and different exercises written down so you don’t need to worry about remembering them. Week 2 - 6 The first few weeks at home will be challenging. You will still be on painkillers at this point, but you’ll be able to stand with little or no help, go on short walks and rely on your crutch or walker less. The aim from this point going forward is to gradually build strength and flexibility until you get back to your full range of movement and have the same, if not more strength in your joint as the scar tissue begins to heal - and swelling begins to subside. By a couple of weeks in, pain levels will be improving. We’d recommend doing your exercises very often, every hour or so in order to stop your knee getting stiff - we want to keep it moving. Week 6 - 12 At this point, many people are up and about and beginning to enjoy activities like golf, walking and cycling. If you are committed to your physio, this may happen sooner. Sometimes it can take 3-6 months or up to an entire year to fully recover and get the total benefits of your knee replacement. It is well worth you investing in your full recovery throughout the year so that your knee replacement recovery is as successful as possible. If you have any of the symptoms outlined in this video, seek professional medical help immediately. Do you want to hear more about knee replacement surgery, or other orthopaedic conditions? Leave a comment below and we will plan future videos on suggested topics. To discover how Circle Health Group can help you treat knee pain - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/treatments/knee-pain To see how Circle Reading can help you - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/hospitals/circle-reading-hospital #kneepain #kneerehab #kneeosteoarthritis