knee pain - treatments and tips for alleviating the pain

Posted on: 17 October 2016

Knee replacement surgery is a great way to reduce pain and regain mobility in your legs, but it also requires a healing and recovery process. You can have a successful recovery if you are willing to listen to your doctor, as well as your body. This article will discuss two tips for recovering from knee replacement surgery. 

Have Someone There to Help You with Basic Tasks 

When you first go home after your knee surgery, it is going to be quite difficult for you to do most basic tasks on your own. Hiring someone or enlisting a family member and/or friend that you are comfortable with to help you out is a great way to make sure that you get the help that you need. The best thing to do would be to have them stay with you for the first week or so, just to ensure that you always have someone there to help you when you need it. They will be there to help you with your personal hygiene needs, such as brushing your teeth, bathing, using the toilet, etc. They can also help you to take your medications and check the operation site. They can help you to cook and clean up after each of your meals and just be there to talk with you about your experience and help you on the road to recovery in an emotional way.

Be Diligent with Your Physical Therapy 

Your knee cap has just been completely replaced, which means that you are basically starting from square one when it comes to learning how to use it. Because of this, you are going to require a great deal of rehabilitation and physical therapy. Your doctor will help set you up with a physical therapist after your surgery, and you will be required to visit them multiple times per week until your knee is completely functional for you. First of all, it is crucial that you make it in for your appointments with your physical therapists to learn the exercises that are beneficial for you and to actually learn how to perform them properly during your physical therapy sessions. Secondly, it is just as important, if not more, that you take the time to perform these exercises at home. Your physical therapist will let you know how often you need to perform these exercises at home and what modifications you can make to them if you need them to be easier or push you a bit harder. Doing this is going to allow you to make a much faster and more complete recovery.

For more questions about the road to recovery following knee replacement surgery, talk to a doctor like Joseph P. Spott, DO.