Total Knee Replacement - Three Mistakes to Avoid During Rehabilitation

After having a knee replaced, many patients get anxious about the healing process. Everyone wants to get results as soon as soon as possible and are looking for ways to speed the process up. Though you may have gone through pre-operative training at your local hospital, retaining the information learned from class can be short lived. I have listed three common mistakes most people will make after knee surgery.

1. Trying To Speed Up The Healing Process: A majority of the time this seems to affect the men. Most men will try and circumvent the time involved and get onto the fast track as if they have something to prove to someone. You will begin to start feeling like yourself in generally four weeks but, do not expect the knee to feel much better until six weeks out from the day of surgery. It will be temperamental for the first six weeks.

2. Not Using Ice: I would not recommend this. After you have completed your exercise session or just generally want to curb the level of pain or swelling apply ice to the knee. You cannot use too much ice. All rehabilitation professionals will agree with this. I have seen a few that never use ice but this is the exception rather then the rule. Ice is the best modality in my estimation to use after joint surgery. Please make sure you encase the entire knee however, throwing a bag of peas on the top of your knee will not get it done. Ice is great for pain relief and keeping the swelling do to a minimum.

3. Trying To Avoid Using An Assistive Device: Believe it or not there are some that will not want to use any device after surgery once they get home. In the hospital its mandatory but once you get home you may be tempted to see what you can do without the walker. This puts unnecessary stress on the knee and surrounding soft tissue setting you up for a sleepless night and a very painful knee. If you are receiving physical therapy at home or an outpatient clinic, you will be instructed as to when you can revert from using a walker to a cane.

The key is not to rush things. you can expect your new knee to calm down and swelling subside in six weeks. Of course some will progress faster then others but all in all your rehabilitation will work out if you give it time.