How To Recover From Knee Replacement Surgery (Surgeon Explains)

Most people can’t wait to get back to normal activities following their knee replacement surgery. However, rehabilitation is an important process and should never be rushed. In this video, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Shahid Punwar, shares some of the best ways to recover from knee surgery. Links: For more information on knee replacement surgery - Knee replacement recovery timeline To search for a consultant near you - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/find-an-appointment Chapters: 00:00 - 00:27 – Introduction 00:27- 00:41 - What is the fastest way to recover from knee surgery? 00:41- 01:43 - How do exercises help recovery after knee replacement surgery? 01:43 - 02:08 - What other activities can help you to recover from knee surgery? 02:08 - 02:35 - Walking 02:35 - 03:03 - Swimming 03:03 - 03:25 - Cycling 03:25 - 04:01 - Dancing 04:01- 04:28 - What should you do if exercise hurts? 04:28 - 05:01 - Outro What is the fastest way to recover from knee surgery? Recovering from knee replacement surgery takes time and looks different for everyone. Taking the time to be gentle with yourself and follow a tailored recovery programme can help you get better faster. Knee replacement recovery exercises Suitable exercise following knee replacement surgery, if done correctly, can help to reduce your pain. Speak to your physiotherapist about which exercises are safe for you to perform first. Nobody's injury is the exact same as another person's, so it's important to work with your physiotherapist to build a tailored plan that works for you. In general, musculoskeletal (muscles and joints) exercise will help improve circulation, which will improve your mobility and strengthen the muscles in your knee to keep your body supple. Special exercises can help improve your balance as well as reaction times. It also helps in building your confidence to move more freely. Everybody has their own capacity of how much and what exercise they can tolerate. It’s always important to start gradually and progress slowly. Too fast too soon often leads to injury rather than improvement and recovery. What other activities can help you to recover from knee surgery? Unfortunately, high-impact activities like running and contact sports such as rugby or martial arts are not advised for anyone who has undergone knee replacement surgery. This is due to the increased risk of further injury. But there are certain sports and physical activities that are beneficial and can help you get fit again while you recover. These include: Walking - Walking is one of the best forms of exercise to engage in following a knee operation and is a vital part of recovery from day one. At first, you will be walking with the aid of a frame, crutches, or walking sticks. Progress will be slow, but as your recovery progresses you will eventually be able to walk unaided. It’s important to walk every day and aim to steadily increase the duration and distance. Always listen to your body, however, and rest as required. Swimming - Because swimming is not a weight bearing form of exercise, it is a suitable type of exercise following knee replacement surgery. However, you shouldn’t begin swimming until three months after the surgery to protect your knee joint. As always, start out slowly and take particular care with breaststroke, as this can be a higher-impact style of swimming. Make sure whatever stroke you’re doing it feels comfortable and ensure your movements are careful and controlled. Cycling - This is a popular sport to engage in after knee replacement surgery because it is low impact. Cycling also engages and strengthens all the major leg muscles including the quadriceps, as well as moving your knee through a full range of motion. At first, it’s important to begin on a stationary and stable exercise bike to build up strength and endurance before cycling on the roads. Dancing - Sports or activities that put excessive pressure or torque on the knee are advised against following knee replacement surgery, which means that fast-paced or strenuous dancing may be unsuitable. However, in general, dancing classes such as ballroom dancing are fine and help build strength and flexibility in the knee. These activities are all suitable to try following your knee replacement surgery once your health professional agrees. But listen to your body, if you try one of these activities and find it causes undue pain and discomfort stop and discuss it with your physiotherapist or consultant. Consultant details: Mr Shahid Punwar is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. He practices at Shirley Oaks Hospital in Croydon: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/consultants/shahid-punwar Do you want to hear more about knee replacement surgery? Leave a comment below and we will plan future videos on suggested topics. To see how Circle Health Group can help you - Recovering From Knee Surgery | Health Matters #kneepain #kneereplacement #kneereplacementrecovery