| Having knee replacement surgery is an important | | | | procedure, but if the temperature spikes or continues |
| decision. Even though several hundred of these | | | | on, be sure to contact your doctor immediately. |
| procedures are performed every day in hospitals | | | | Once your body starts to heal from the surgery, it is |
| around the country, the surgery is not a minor one. | | | | time to implement a proper rehabilitation program to |
| You should be fully aware of all the short and long | | | | avoid the long-term complications of knee |
| term risks and complications that are associated with | | | | replacements. If you choose to ignore the |
| knee replacements. You need to know the signs and | | | | instructions of your physical therapist by not doing |
| symptoms of possible complications so you can get | | | | your exercises, you risk not gaining the proper use |
| treatment before the problems become severe. | | | | out of the new joint. You can also push yourself to |
| After you get home from your surgery, you will likely | | | | do too much. You don't want to do any unapproved |
| be a little groggy for a few days as your body heals | | | | exercises that place too much pressure on your |
| and you adjust to your pain medication. Your knee | | | | artificial knee. You should not be involved in any high |
| will be swollen and sore. Try to make yourself as | | | | impact activities without the advice of your doctor. |
| comfortable as possible in the first few days at | | | | If you want to get back to enjoying your busy life, |
| home. You will need to get that knee moving, but | | | | you need to put effort into your recovery. When |
| while you are resting, be sure that you keep your leg | | | | you apply yourself to the appropriate workout |
| elevated above the heart level as much as is possible. | | | | regime, you can get your new joint working in ways |
| This will help prevent the two most common | | | | you might not have imagined. You can escape the |
| complications of severe swelling and blood clots. | | | | long-term complications associated with knee |
| Wearing the compression stockings as instructed in | | | | replacements if you take the proper precautions in |
| your discharge papers will also help to prevent issues | | | | exercising your new joint. Have a plan in place to |
| related to blood clots. You may experience a | | | | speed your recovery before you even schedule the |
| low-grade fever in the first few days following your | | | | date for your surgery. |