Common Mistakes to Avoid After Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery is a major one which involves removing worn out, diseased or severely affected parts of the knee joint and replacing them with implants made of metal, ceramic or plastic. The new joints available have a life of about 15-20 years or even longer and can guarantee a reduction in pain, stiffness, poor range of motion or other issues. As important as the surgery is, recovery afterwards is even more crucial and you need to definitely concentrate on that. 

You will need to consult a specialist at the Top Orthopedic Hospital In Hyderabad – SBJI for all of your joint related concerns. So, call us today! 

Top 8 Common Mistakes Patients Make After Getting Joint Replacement In Hyderabad- 

These are some mistakes you should NOT be making, once you have had joint replacement surgery of any type-

1. Not managing pain in the right way– Some individuals may not take enough and be in pain, as they fear dependence on the drug, while others may overmedicate, because they hate to be in pain. This can cause unwanted side effects. 

Remedy– Make sure you use ice packs, breathing exercises and rest to deal with the pain. Take what you have been prescribed and talk to your doctor about your pain levels. 

2. Not sticking to the physiotherapy regimen- Many individuals may skip some or even all physiotherapy sessions as it will be painful initially. But it is also how you gain mobility, joint function, flexibility and improve muscle strength, so you can move around pain free later on. You may also have stiffness and issues with gait, that may last for a lifetime in some cases. 

Remedy– Learn why each exercise or movement is done so you are more invested in the process and keep yourself accountable. Do those exercises daily and make sure to talk to your doctor about tracking your progress. 

3. Walking too much or not at all- Both these extremes are harmful for your new joint. You either risk having a fall due to severe symptoms or there may be muscle loss in the second scenario- which means there will be no stiffness during recovery. 

Remedy– Walk with a crutch or a cane- and only how much the doctor asks you to. Increase distance slowly, every week. But don’t try to overdo it or walk through the pain. 

4. Ignoring signs or an infection– If you don’t keep the incision area clean, you risk getting an infection. This can complicate matters as the implant may also get affected in some cases. 

Remedy– When you opt for Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery In Hyderabad or get a surgery done at the best Hip Replacement Hospital In Hyderabad, make sure to watch out for symptoms like redness, fever, the incision site feeling warm or if there is any discharge or pus present. 

5. Neglecting diet and water intake– Not eating balanced, nutritious meals can affect healing. You should also drink enough water everyday. 

Remedy– Eat protein and fibre rich foods daily and drink plenty of water, avoid foods that are too sweet, salty or heavily processed. Your joint will heal better when it has the resources to do so and they come from your diet. 

6. Not using assistive devices the right way– Not using a cane, walker or crutches in the right way can cause you to limp, place unnecessary stress on the joints or even cause you to fall. 

Remedy– Adjust canes, walkers or other devices to your height and use them as taught by the therapist. Don’t stop using them because you are feeling better. 

7. Too much swelling because of sitting still- Not using ice packs or sitting for too long without elevation can all lead to excessive swelling in the recovery phase. 

Remedy– Pace yourself and make sure you don’t stay still for too long. 

8. Not following up with the doctor- Make sure you keep a note of your progress and discuss them with your doctor in detail. Recovery does not mean just the absence of pain and skipping follow ups. 

Remedy– Tell the specialist at the best orthopedic hospital in Secunderabad about your symptoms, if they have gotten better and if you need any modifications done with respect to diet, medications, exercise regimen. Don’t skip follow ups as they will help you identify issues early. 

Conclusion

Lastly, never compare your recovery timeline with someone else who had a joint replacement surgery done. Your body is different from theirs- it is as simple as that.  If you have any concerns, please call us at +91 8008 102 103 right away!