| So you're going to have a knee replacement. Is there | | | | risk of complications. One of the post-operative |
| anything you can do to make the whole process | | | | concerns is deep venous thrombosis or DVT (blood |
| easier? | | | | clots in the legs to normal people). Blood clots form |
| Yes there is. | | | | when blood pools in the lower limbs. The risk is |
| Unless your surgery is tomorrow, you must make | | | | significantly decreased if the blood is kept moving. |
| the most of any waiting period. This means 2 specific | | | | Simple leg exercises (pumping the ankles up and |
| and immediate goals: | | | | down) can prevent clots from forming. It is not |
| Lose weight and increase thigh muscle (quadriceps) | | | | painful, even on the operated leg immediately after |
| strength. Don't let the pain lead to increased weight | | | | surgery, so there is no reason why you should not |
| and weaker muscles. Keep as active as you can. | | | | be doing it. You can't do too many. |
| Make a real push to increase your level of activity. | | | | If you have a general anesthetic, you should also do |
| Speak to a physical therapist about developing an | | | | regular deep breathing exercises to decrease your |
| exercise plan that can increase your strength without | | | | risk of a post-operative chest infection. |
| aggravating your pain. Too many people think ... " I'm | | | | There is one more thing you should make sure you |
| having surgery so there is nothing I have to do, it's | | | | pack for your hospital visit: |
| up to the surgeon". The better shape your legs are in | | | | Motivation |
| before the operation, the quicker you recover and | | | | Knee replacements are not fun. They hurt, but the |
| quicker you go home. Isn't this worth working for? | | | | reason you are having one is because of years of |
| Next, accept any help or information the hospital or | | | | crippling pain. The best time to make progress in |
| your doctor offer. Many have pre-admission talks to | | | | restoring range of motion is the immediate |
| introduce staff, inform you about the operation and | | | | post-operative period. This means putting in the hard |
| familiarize you with the wards and procedures. It | | | | work before the pain has resolved. Unlike hip |
| always amazes me when people do not accept such | | | | replacements (where you can be rather lazy and still |
| an offer. | | | | get a good result) knee replacements take effort, |
| Be 100% clear on what you can do to decrease your | | | | and that is up to you. |