POST KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY CARE

 


RECOVERY AFTER TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Total knee replacement (TKR) is also called total knee arthroplasty. It is surgery that is done to remove and replace your knee joint. The knee joint is where your femur (thighbone) and tibia (large lower leg bone or shinbone) meet. During the TKR, the damaged parts of your knee joint are removed and replaced with an implant. This implant may be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. You may need to have one or both of your knee joints replaced.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING POSTOPERATIVE CARE ?

For the first several days to a week after total knee replacement surgery, recovery will occur in the hospital under the guidance of a care team.

The care team, which can include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, will help patients learn to move safely, using assistive devices such as crutches or a walker, while their knee heals.

The team will provide recommendations for careful movements to help prevent knee dislocation. They will provide instructions for exercises aimed at maintaining healthy circulation and lung function and generally helping with healing as well as tips for a safe and effective recovery at home. Although serious complications are rare, patients will also learn how to recognize warning signs of serious side effects such as infection or blood clots.

WHAT HELP DOES THE PATEINT NEED ?

After a knee replacement surgery, a patient definitely needs help with basic everyday things such as:

·         Moving from one place to another

·         Sitting down on the toilet and getting up

·         Wearing clothes

·         Standing up

·         Sitting down

·         Lying down from a sitting position

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS TO HEAL?

Some of the most important tips to post-operative knee care are:

Medication: The first steps to healing are making sure that the patient takes all prescribed medication on time. It is a good idea to visit the doctor during appointments, so that you know what medications to be given and in what dosage. The doctor will help you understand the medications and their side-effects. You will also be aware of any warning signs or allergic symptoms that could come up, such as swelling, fluid build-up, inflammation or more.

Exercises: It is important to follow the healing plan that the doctor suggests, including basic exercises. Of course, the patient may not be comfortable initially and may want to skip a few days, but please be sure to check with the doctor if it is advisable. Sometimes, it is crucial to continue with all the exercises, even if the patient does not feel up to it and wants to skip it. If there are warning signs and the patient seems to be in distress, stop the exercises and speak to the doctor as soon as possible.

Caring for the Wound: The part where the cut was made has to be taken care of very well, so that there is no risk of an infection. Make sure that the incision area and the areas nearby are completely dry till the duration that the doctor has mentioned, which will be at least for some time after the pins and staples have been removed. It takes about two weeks or a little more for the wound to heal, when the doctor will remove the staples. It is possible to feel some numbness around the area, but if there is any redness or swelling, make sure to mention it to the doctor.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF INFECTION?

During the post knee replacement stage, keep a lookout for the following warning signs:

·         Constant fever over 100 degrees

·         Redness or swelling near the wound

·         Discomfort in the swelling area

·         Fluid build-up

·         Difficulty breathing or feeling discomfort or tightness in the chest

·         Shooting pain while doing some activity or resting


Location: Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

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