If you are planning to undergo a Knee Replacement Surgery, the following are some of the things that you should keep in mind:
Build your muscles and range of movements
Before the surgery, you're expected to do homework.
- People who strengthen the muscles around their knees have a faster, easier recovery than those who are weaker going into the surgery. If you reinforce the connections,especially of your inside quad muscle, it will be easier for them to reconnect.
- For the months or weeks leading up to your operation, try to get on a bicycle or work with a physical therapist to build your strength and expand your range of motion as much as possible.
Build up the vital capacity of your lungs
- Deep breathing exercises like pranayama
- Incentive spirometry - started much before surgery help your lungs/body cope and decreases chances of lung associated issues like ARDS
Keep yourself clean - Infection anywhere is a strict no for replacement surgery. Treat any infections of urinary tract, skin, soft tissues and other areas .
Build your endurance - Start long walks and exercise as much as you can, as ultimately it is needed post-surgery.
Prepare yourself mentally to undergo the rigours of surgery and rehab, a mentally tough person is the one who does very well post-surgery.
Have a buffer budget - for extras ifstay is prolonged.
When to see your doctor if you are planning knee replacement?
In a perfect world, I would love to see you a couple of months in advance. Then you're comfortable with the exercises, you know what you're supposed to feel, and the recovery goes more smoothly.