Recovery After Knee Surgery

The three central aspects of recovery after knee surgery are: good wound care, a balanced diet and regular, appropriate physical activity.

A surgery on the knee, such as knee transplants are safe procedures that provide generally very good results. However, for the healing process to be successful, it is necessary to be as disciplined as possible in following the recovery guidelines.

How serious is knee surgery?

Recovery after knee surgery is not a secret recipe. First of all, after every knee operation, this basically relates to wound care, the regular use of medicines and the regular performance of appropriate physical activities.

The patient must be aware that the recovery process after knee surgery depends to a large extent on their cooperation. He will certainly need his family’s support with home care. With commitment, however, all patients can complete the process of knee surgery without major problems.

Which interventions are carried out?

An operation on the knee can be necessary due to various factors : a torn ligament, bone fracture, meniscus tear or joint wear can be treated surgically. An operation on the knee is not always necessary. Knee operations concern, for example:

• Operations on the meniscus
• Cruciate ligament tear
• Ligament tears in general
• Broken bones
• Benign or malignant growths
• Use of a joint prosthesis

Some of these interventions are performed on an outpatient basis; for larger operations, patients stay in hospital for a few days. Further treatment usually begins there, for example physiotherapy.

The three basic pillars of rehabilitation after knee surgery

The rehabilitation phase usually begins at home in cooperation with a physiotherapist and occasional check-ups with the doctor. The three main pillars of recovery from knee surgery are:

• Wound care : The main goal is to prevent infection from occurring. To avoid this, the dressing should be changed regularly and the surgical wound checked for redness.
• Diet : A balanced diet makes a significant contribution to recovery after knee surgery. Zinc, vitamin C, calcium and vitamin D are especially important now. Animal proteins can promote inflammatory processes and should be reduced.

• Exercise: This is a key element, especially in the first few weeks of recovery. The physiotherapist indicates the exercises to be performed. The more intensely and dutifully the patient performs the exercises, the faster and better he will recover.

The subject of movement is very important. In general, a gradual program of increasing exertion is practiced along with specific exercises to build muscles and maintain mobility.

Useful tips for recovery after knee surgery

There are a number of tips that should be considered in order to achieve a speedy recovery. The most important are:

• Getting Help: The first few days will require someone else to assist you in performing daily activities.

• Change dressing yourself: In general, the wound should remain bandaged until the sutures are removed. This almost always happens about two weeks after the knee surgery.
• Movement of the operated knee: it is recommended to move the knee and change the position of the legs every 20 minutes. Elevation and regular exercise will help swell the joint.
• Suitable footwear: The footwear must be comfortable and closed. This is crucial for stability and prevents falls.

Basically, you should listen to yourself and not train or strain over the pain.

warning sign

Like any surgery, knee surgery also carries potential risks and complications. If any of the following occur, it is appropriate to go to the hospital immediately:

• Heavy bleeding in the wound
• Constant and particularly high fever.
• Extreme pain that cannot be controlled with the medication specified for it.
• Significant inflammation in the knee.
• Change in skin color, especially if it becomes very red or bluish or blackish.
• Immobility of the knee
• Warming of the knee joint beyond a normal level.

Better to go to the doctor once too often than to stay at home at the crucial moment. The knee joint is one of the most important joints in the body!