What to Pay Attention to After Knee Replacement Surgery: Outpatient Rehabilitation and Exercise
Knee replacement surgery is increasingly popular in China due to its clear and significant efficacy.
However, some patients have doubts abouthow to recover at home after discharge, as well as some precautions in life and exerciseThere are still some doubts. This article provides a brief answer to this problem.
First, patients should continue their post-operative rehabilitation plan after returning home. The rehabilitation focus is different at different stages, and it is necessary to follow the doctor's guidance and adjust the training content and intensity in time.
Post-operative weeks 2-3
At this time, the rehabilitation focus isto obtain better knee flexion degree and continue to strengthen muscle exercise
which mainly includes the following actions:
1Lying Knee Flexion: Sitting upright on the bed, legs straight, feet close to the bed surface, hug legs to flex knees;
2Bedside Calf Extension-Flexion: Sitting at the edge of the bed, calves perpendicular to the thighs, extend the calves to maintain 2-3 seconds and then lower them;
3Bedside Crossed Leg Press: Sitting at the edge of the bed, the healthy limb is placed on the calf of the affected limb, and the calf is pressed backwards;
4Quadriceps Muscle Strength Training: Lying flat, extend the knee joint, raise the lower limb distance about 30cm from the bed surface, maintain for 5 seconds, and then gently lower it;
5Use crutches, high-stepping walking, practice daily 3-4 times, each time 10-20 minutes.
Post-operative weeks 3
Starting from week 3, the rehabilitation focus isto further improve the effects of the previous weeks' training, increase the limb range of motion and load-bearing ability, and gradually restore the ability of self-care.
Rehabilitation content as follows:
1From short to long, from indoor to outdoor, gradually increase the walking volume and restore normal gait;
2Daily activity training. Such as squatting, climbing stairs, sitting on chairs, etc., gradually return to normal activities.
Most patients can return to normal social life after a period of rehabilitation.
However, it should be noted that artificial joints are not the same as normal human joints. Their normal lifespan is usually 15 years or more, but the likelihood of wear and tear or loosening increases if they are not used properly.
Therefore,even if the recovery is good, certain actions or activities still need to be limited in life
For example, some activities with large movements or violent impacts, such as: long-distance running; football, basketball; martial arts training, karate, taekwondo; jump rope; yoga, gymnastics, etc.
While otherreduce joint weightexercises (such as swimming and cycling),can both exercise the body and will not put excessive pressure on the artificial joint, so they are relatively recommended.
We believe that through reading this article, you will have a more comprehensive understanding of the home rehabilitation and precautions in life after knee replacement surgery, and we wish all patients can return to normal life as soon as possible.
