| When taking an international flight as a former knee | | | | adequate blood flow and your overall comfort. |
| replacement patient, you should take a few minutes | | | | One exercise that is promoted by the airlines and |
| and plan your seating arrangements and, find ways | | | | physicians is the heel raise and toe raise while |
| to keep your blood from pooling in your lower | | | | standing. It also can be completed sitting. Standing is |
| extremities. | | | | more effective as you are working against your own |
| International flights can consist of several hours | | | | bodyweight which creates a stronger muscle |
| maybe less depending on your location and up to 16 | | | | contraction and pump which, increases fluid |
| hours or more. Careful consideration needs to be | | | | movement. |
| taken into account when booking your seat. I | | | | Stand lightly grasping something fixed in the cabin |
| recommend for starters that you get a seat up front | | | | then raise up on your toes and hold for a slow count |
| one that allows you to stretch your legs out. Keeping | | | | of five then lower yourself again slowly then raise |
| your knees flexed in a 90 degree position for a | | | | your toes up and hold for a slow count of five. 10 to |
| majority of the flight depending on the time frame of | | | | 15 times is a good number to shoot for with this |
| the flight will exacerbate the swelling and discomfort. | | | | exercise and complete it every hour if you can. |
| If you are unable to book soon enough to get the | | | | The other exercise I recommend is what is known |
| front seats which in most airplanes that fly overseas | | | | as the partial mini squat. Standing you slowly drop or |
| are located up next to the lavatory then, you may | | | | bend your knees to a 45 degree angle and hold that |
| want to consider purchasing a pair of TED hose to | | | | stance for a slow count of five. It will stimulate the |
| apply to the surgical leg. | | | | thigh muscles and get the blood moving as well. |
| The TED hose which is nothing more then a | | | | There are many other exercises that are promoted |
| compression stocking will keep fluid from | | | | and a large number of stretches you can do that will |
| accumulating in the foot and ankle and, also prevent | | | | help you stay refreshed and, keep your blood in the |
| DVTs otherwise known as deep vein thrombosis. | | | | lower extremities from pooling on these long flights. |
| These hose can be purchased at most local drug | | | | Having flown with a knee replacement myself to |
| stores or medical supply stores. If you have had a | | | | India on multiple occasions and suffering from the |
| recent knee replacement within the past three | | | | increased swelling that can occur, I find the above |
| months your orthopedic surgeon mat recommend | | | | mentioned exercises have worked time and time |
| you have one prior to flying. | | | | again. |
| It is highly recommended on any international flight | | | | One other tip, take your shoes off if you want this |
| that you get up and walk around the cabin. The | | | | takes some mild constriction off the foot and opens |
| amount of time you walk or how often you walk is | | | | up the flow of blood to and from the lower |
| something you can determine but I feel you should | | | | extremities as well. |
| walk every hour. | | | | Next time when flying long distances take a few |
| Most of the larger aircraft that fly internationally have | | | | minutes to think and properly prepare for the care of |
| large areas around the lavatories and in the back of | | | | the knee replacement and the prevention of |
| the plane that you can stretch and complete several | | | | increased swelling and the possibility of preventing a |
| simple exercises for your legs that are beneficial for | | | | deep vein thrombosis. |