Hip and knee replacements can be life-changing surgeries, offering a return to pain-free movement. While surgery itself is a major undertaking, a successful recovery is equally important. This article will explore the initial phases of recovery and beyond, focusing on movement, pain management, and lifestyle factors to help you adjust to life with your new joint.
First steps: Post-surgical care, pain management, and rehabilitation
The first week after surgery is critical for establishing healthy healing patterns. Pain management is a top priority, and your doctor will prescribe medication to keep you comfortable. However, focusing solely on pain relief is a mistake that can lead to stiffness and delayed recovery.
Following surgery, your doctor should recommend a structured rehabilitation program focusing on regaining strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the replaced joint. As pain and swelling subside, these exercises will gradually increase in intensity and complexity.
In addition to your surgeon's recommendations, here are a few crucial practices for this initial healing phase:
Listen to your body: Pain is a signal, but it doesn't mean you should stop moving altogether. Find the right balance between pushing your body and backing off. A key to this is noticing how you feel several hours or a day after activity. If you have pain and swelling, you did too much. If you feel the same or better, you did a good amount and may even be able to push yourself a little more.
Ice and heat: Use ice packs to reduce swelling and inflammation, and heat to promote circulation and muscle relaxation.
Rest and relaxation: Your body needs sufficient rest to heal. Prioritize getting enough sleep each night, and don't push yourself to the point of exhaustion.
Optimizing your home environment
Creating a safe and supportive environment at home is also essential for a smooth recovery. It helps to take care of these things before your surgery, but you can still do them afterward.
Create a living space on one floor, as stairs can be difficult in the initial phases of healing.
Remove loose rugs and other tripping hazards, install grab bars in bathrooms, and ensure adequate lighting throughout your living space.
Use tools like walkers, canes, or grab bars to minimize strain on the recovering joint. Invest in a raised toilet seat and a shower chair to make daily routines easier. The goal is not to move as little as possible, though! Don't make so easy that you immobilize the new joint.
Elevate your bed slightly to make getting in and out easier. Opt for chairs with good back support to maintain proper posture.
Embracing a recovery-focused lifestyle
Beyond the clinical aspects of rehabilitation, several lifestyle choices can significantly impact your recovery trajectory. By thinking of yourself as a person that is actively healing, you can shift your mindset to make recovery a priority. Here are some key areas to focus on:
Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in protein, calcium, and vitamins is vital for tissue repair and bone health.
Hydration: Staying adequately hydrated ensures proper blood flow to the surgical site, promoting healing.
Stress management: Chronic stress can hinder the healing process. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and gentle yoga to manage stress levels.
Low-impact exercises: Walking, swimming, and stationary cycling are excellent ways to improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and maintain joint mobility without putting excessive stress on your new joint.
Flexibility: Regular stretching helps maintain range of motion and improves overall flexibility.
Surround yourself with positive people, maybe even a support group: Sharing your experiences with others who have undergone similar surgery can be a source of encouragement and valuable advice.
Long-term success: maintaining your new joint
Here are some things you can do to help maximize the life of your new joint. Some of these are:
Regular exercise: Make regular exercise a part of your lifestyle. Continue with low-impact exercises, strength training, and stretching to maintain joint mobility and muscle strength.
Regular checkups: Schedule regular follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your progress and ensure your new joint is functioning optimally.
Strength training: Building muscle strength around your new joint is vital for stability and preventing future injuries. The need for strength training becomes even more important as we age and naturally begin to lose muscle mass.
Be mindful of habits and patterns: Proper movement habits and patterns have a major impact on joint health. Your physical therapist, and our clinicians, are experts on this topic and can help you prolong the life of your joints by teaching you the right ways to sit, sleep, stand, and move.
Chiropractic care, massage, and acupuncture can always benefit your recovery. We can help with pain management, improved joint function, reduced scar tissue, enhanced mobility, reduced inflammation, and faster recovery.
Come visit us at Parkside
Come see our expert team at Parkside Clinic where we tailor our care to your specific condition and tap into your body’s natural healing ability. Make an appointment, or if you have any questions, contact us.