4 Tips for Knee Surgery Recovery

After all of the stress and strain of preparing for a knee surgery, many Canadians do not follow optimized recovery plans. This often results in increased recovery times and a risk of relapse. To combat this, it is essential that you work with your doctor to prepare comprehensive pre-surgery and post-surgery recovery plans.

C-Care has a number of trained professionals including Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and in-home nurses available to assist in post-surgery recovery. Our rehabilitative techniques help you ease your way back to full recovery with a specific routine that involves daily physical activity and exercise. Not only can this help improve your mobility while recovering, but it can speed up your recovery time and increase the likelihood of a full recovery. Although the relief of a successful surgery is great news, there is still a significant amount of work involved. It takes discipline and commitment to follow a recovery plan, and our post-surgery support nurses can help you every step of the way.

Knee Surgery in Canada

The demand for knee surgery in Canada is growing every year and wait times are increasing at a similar rate. According to CBC, only 69% of knee-surgery patients in Canada in 2017 actually received their surgery within the recommended six-month wait time, down from 82% in 2015. Although some clinics are trying to combat the stress of long wait times and staying many nights in the hospital with six-our knee replacement surgeries, wait times continue to rise. Longer wait times increase the risk of further injury, decreased mobility, and longer recovery times.

Beyond that, they also contribute to increased stress before the surgery, which is an overwhelming burden for many Canadian patients. Because of this, it is essential that you plan a detailed pre-surgery and post-surgery plan. Our C-Care nurses are available 24/7 for assistance with post-surgery recovery, and we are flexible enough to work around your schedule to provide you with the care you need. As a guide, here are four tips for knee surgery recovery:

1. Avoid squats and leg workoutsKnee replacement surgery is designed to drastically reduce the pain of injured knees while also improving your overall mobility. With a full recovery, it will also increase your stamina. Some people are so thrilled with the positive results of their surgery, they overestimate their abilities and forget to ease themselves into the recovery process. Intense physical activity, especially for the lower body, is not recommended after your surgery, which includes hiking, running, squatting, and other lower body workouts. Although most recovery plans include these activities (eventually), it is important to pace yourself and make sure you are completely confident in your ability before you move on to higher weights and more strenuous workouts.
2. Get walkingRather than jump right into a demanding workout plan or spending the days following your surgery in bed, it is important to follow a walking plan. For the first few weeks after your surgery, it can be very difficult to complete everyday tasks. Walking will be your primary exercise. It is important to work towards walking a kilometre on a regular basis, and slowly increasing this distance until you are comfortable with everyday activities again.

   Once you have achieved this, you can begin a more strenuous workout. Walking will help improve your mobility and allow your new knee to get used to the natural movement of your body. By ensuring you walk regularly, you can jumpstart your recovery and ensure full-mobility after the completion of your recovery plan. Our C-Care nurses and PSWs are trained in recovery techniques to help create a plan tailored specifically to your needs, and we can help you work through the entire recovery process to ensure a return to full mobility.

3. Be aware of stairsOne of the most common causes of knee surgery relapse is from recovering patients walking up stairs. The strain of walking up stairs is very damaging to new knees, and you must ensure you are prepared to go at a slow pace with your cane or walker. To walk up stairs, it is recommended that you step up with your non-operated leg first, then move your operated leg to the same step while supporting it with your cane. Conversely, to go down the stairs, you should lead with your cane and operated leg first, then bring your other leg down each step. Always consult your doctor to ensure this process is right for you. Our trained professionals can help with your rehabilitation plan, but we are also here to assist your everyday tasks such as climbing the stairs and going to bed.
4. Patience is keyThe most crucial aspect of your recovery is your ability to remain patient. You must go at your own pace and make sure you are prepared before you move on to the next step of your recovery. It is much better to be patient and make sure you recover properly than to rush your exercises and injure yourself. At C-Care, we work with you to make sure your workout plan is designed for your ideal pace, and we will be able to track your improvement until you make a full recovery. For more information about our post-recovery services, explore our website here.

   Knee surgery can be a stressful and scary process, but with the proper preparation and the right recovery plan, you will likely make a full recovery. In fact, your mobility and quality of life will increase once your knee is pain-free. Our post-surgery support nurses will help you through the entire process, from your first step after surgery to the last step of your recovery plan.

   For more information about post-surgery care in the GTA, or to book an experienced, professional caregiver to assist with you or your loved one, call C-Care at 1-866-433-1085 or check out our website here.