5 Tips to Speed Recovery from Knee Replacement Surgery

So your doctor has told you it’s time for a knee replacement. You might be excited since knee replacement surgery can help give you relief from the pain you might be experiencing from chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis. However, a small part of you might be worried since the recovery process can be long and arduous. 

However, you can do some things on your own to make sure your recovery time doesn’t take longer than necessary. That’s why our team led by Jeffery Pearson, MD, at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana located in Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana, wants to give you some tips on how to have a speedy recovery from your knee replacement surgery.

How to help the healing process

Since every person is different, no one’s recovery process is going to look the same. However, the average recovery time for knee replacement surgery is actually one full year. But, you should be able to return to your usual activities about six weeks after your surgery depending on your age and if you have other health conditions. 

These are some things you can do to make sure your healing process doesn’t drag on so that you can be back on your feet and doing your daily routine as quickly as possible:

1. Keep the incision site clean

Nothing can slow a recovery process quite like an infection can. So make sure to be vigilant about keeping your surgical incision clean. You can do this by strictly following our discharge instructions, including changing your bandage and keeping it covered so it can heal properly.

2. Move around as much as possible

To prevent your new knee from becoming stiff and hard to use, you want to move around as soon as you can and do at-home exercises. We can give you a list of exercises to perform to optimize your recovery. 

3. Ice and elevate

Because you want to move around and do exercises when you can, icing your knee and keeping it elevated when you aren’t moving around helps to reduce pain that you may experience from doing those things. 

4. Eat a healthy diet

Your body is going to be working hard to help you recover from surgery. Even if you don’t have a huge appetite after your procedure, try to eat foods that are nutrient-dense to keep up your strength.

5. Attend physical therapy

A physical therapist can help you learn how to safely and effectively maneuver on your new knee. Attending physical therapy helps you to get your mobility and strength back, so you can get back to your daily routine quickly.

Next steps

If you’re getting a knee replacement procedure soon and want more tips on how to prepare for recovery, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. You can contact us over the phone or online today.