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At-Home Care After Knee Surgery

By Stephen R. Farris

If you're over the age of 50, chances are you've experienced some form of knee pain. In worse cases, you may already have had to undergo knee replacement surgery, which over the past few decades seems to be more common for older adults.

The biggest challenge is coming home after knee replacement surgery and trying to slowly return to normal life. Usually this requires a little help from family or friends. If you're the person helping to assist someone returning home from knee surgery, then here are a few things to expect and some ideas to help them recover comfortably.

Designate a Room for Recovery

Find a room in the home that is easily accessible to the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen. The room should have just about everything the person would need, including a bedside commode if access to the bathroom is inconvenient. Other items to include are, to name just a few of them:

  • Pillows for elevating the leg
  • Ice packs
  • Cell phone
  • Notepad
  • Comfortable clothing to rest in and for physical therapy
  • Bandages 
  • Easy access to light controls
  • Clean linen
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Crutches or walking aids

Remember, the person you are caring for may feel irritable and frustrated while trying to recuperate from knee surgery, so you want to make them feel as comfortable in their temporary surroundings as possible until they are able to gain better mobility.

Clear Pathways

Make sure pathways in the room are clear of objects, such as tables, rugs, etc., that someone could trip on or cause to lose their balance.

Medications and Dressings

The person you're caring for may require help with their medication and changing their bandages each (or several times) day.

Cleaning

While the person you're caring for is recovering at home, make sure the house is kept clean by performing chores such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, cooking meals, washing dishes, and doing laundry.

Appointments

Hopefully you have access to a vehicle, since the person you're caring for will more than likely require follow-up trips to the doctor to see how they are progressing. This might also mean trips to the pharmacy for medication as well. 

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arlington, Tex.

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