| After having a knee replaced, many patients get | | | | have seen a few that never use ice but this is the |
| anxious about the healing process. Everyone wants | | | | exception rather then the rule. Ice is the best |
| to get results as soon as soon as possible and are | | | | modality in my estimation to use after joint surgery. |
| looking for ways to speed the process up. Though | | | | Please make sure you encase the entire knee |
| you may have gone through pre-operative training at | | | | however, throwing a bag of peas on the top of your |
| your local hospital, retaining the information learned | | | | knee will not get it done. Ice is great for pain relief |
| from class can be short lived. I have listed three | | | | and keeping the swelling do to a minimum. |
| common mistakes most people will make after knee | | | | 3. Trying To Avoid Using An Assistive Device: Believe |
| surgery. | | | | it or not there are some that will not want to use |
| 1. Trying To Speed Up The Healing Process: A | | | | any device after surgery once they get home. In the |
| majority of the time this seems to affect the men. | | | | hospital its mandatory but once you get home you |
| Most men will try and circumvent the time involved | | | | may be tempted to see what you can do without |
| and get onto the fast track as if they have | | | | the walker. This puts unnecessary stress on the knee |
| something to prove to someone. You will begin to | | | | and surrounding soft tissue setting you up for a |
| start feeling like yourself in generally four weeks but, | | | | sleepless night and a very painful knee. If you are |
| do not expect the knee to feel much better until six | | | | receiving physical therapy at home or an outpatient |
| weeks out from the day of surgery. It will be | | | | clinic, you will be instructed as to when you can |
| temperamental for the first six weeks. | | | | revert from using a walker to a cane. |
| 2. Not Using Ice: I would not recommend this. After | | | | The key is not to rush things. you can expect your |
| you have completed your exercise session or just | | | | new knee to calm down and swelling subside in six |
| generally want to curb the level of pain or swelling | | | | weeks. Of course some will progress faster then |
| apply ice to the knee. You cannot use too much ice. | | | | others but all in all your rehabilitation will work out if |
| All rehabilitation professionals will agree with this. I | | | | you give it time. |