Rehabbing at Home After Knee Surgery
By Stephen R. Farris
Recovering from knee surgery can be difficult, especially if you find yourself trying to do it at home by yourself. Hopefully there are a few family and friends that can help you out during the recovery process.
The most important thing for knee recovery patients is to work toward regaining mobility as quickly as possible. This is usually through physical therapy exercise.
Usually PT is in the form of walking several times a day for about 30 minutes, followed by exercise for about the same amount of time.
Having someone available would be great, as they can help coach and motivate you to grind out that last step, or basically, help push you when all you feel like doing is sitting back down.
Progress and Questions
It's also a good idea to keep a notepad and pen handy, or if you have a smartphone, you can record your daily progress. You may want to use either method to write down or record any questions you have for your physician or physical therapist.
Changes
Keep a lookout for changes, such as your mental state, abnormal conditions -- redness, infection, swelling more than usual, bruising -- in and near the wound area, or adverse reaction to medication. This is why it's a good idea to have someone there to observe you several times each day to make sure that you are recovering correctly.
Emotional Support
Whether you are rehabbing on your own, or have someone there to help, it's important that your emotional needs are supported. Just having someone to talk with about how you feel and what you're going through can do wonders for your emotions. You might talk to other people you know who have gone through the same procedure and who can relate to your condition.
Did you know that after you've recovered, you can help prevent -- or keep -- knee pain in check? Visit your local chiropractor and talk with them about pain prevention or any pain you're feeling. With chiropractic treatment, your chiropractor will use hands-on techniques to help provide relief for your joints, neck, and back. They can also offer nutritional and exercise suggestions to help keep your knee and other joints healthy, mobile, and flexible.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Charlotte, N.C.