KNEE REPLACEMENT - PRE AND POSTOPERATIVE REHAB

PRE OPERATIVE REHAB

•  Educate patient about knee surgery & procedure to reduce anxiety & stress.
•  Importance of Pre operative exercises :-

1. Ability to build up strength in the knee muscle around your knee prior to surgery will have great impact on speed & quality of recovery. 
2. And it did help in many other ways, pre-operative therapy strengthened his core, hip & quadriceps, the muscles surrounding knee joint.
3. All the muscle that was needed for speedy recovery was prepared for action. 

POST OPERATIVE REHAB

• A regular exercise program is a key part of recovery from operation. 
• Regular exercise to restore your knee mobility & strength & gradually return to everyday activities is important for full recovery.
• When you build up strength in the muscle around your new joint, it will help you get back to your normal activities. 
• It is recommended that exercise approximately 20-30minutes, 2/3 times a day & walk 30minutes.

BENEFITS OF POST OPERATIVE REHAB

1. Restore normal range of motion.

2. Build up strength in the joint & surrounding muscles.

3. Ease pain and swelling.

4. Let you get back to normal activity.

5. Help with circulation, so you don’t have blood clot problem.

POST OPERATIVE CARE

• Post surgical pain usually subsides after a week of rest and strengthening exercises.
• Surgical wound should be kept clean and dry until area heals 
• Patient should avoid soaking for about 2 weeks after total knee replacement.
• Physical therapist involves movements and exercises to help the patient adjust to the new joints and gradually make patient walk.
• Swelling is normal for 2 to 3months after total knee replacement, elevating the leg for 30 to 60 minutes every day can help.
• Patient should be sure to eat a healthy diet and should follow specific dietary instructions.

DO’S

• Walk and exercise daily. 
• Use an ice pack for pain and swelling. 
• Elevate your leg 1hour 2times in a day for swelling 
• Proper use of cane/ stick/ walker 
• Use western toilet 

DONT’S

• Do not twist your knee.
• Avoid putting unwanted load or stress on your knee. 
• Don’t put a pillow or a roll directly under your knee while you are a sleep. 
• Always keep knee out straight while lying down. 
• Avoid a sitting cross leg position 

Dr Purvi Thakkar
B.P.T., STOTT Pilates Trainer
Consultant Physiotherapist
Ashutosh Hospital