3 Important Steps For Recovering After A Knee Replacement Surgery

One of the largest and most complex joints in the body is the knee. Unlike other parts of the body, the knee is not shielded by surrounding structures. As a result, it naturally wears down as you age. If you're having a knee replacement surgery because of this wear and tear, consider these recovery tips:

Prepare the Home in Advance

It's important to prepare your home and make the right accommodations before surgery, because after it's over, you won't be that mobile. Keep walkers and crutches around the house where you like to stay. They'll help you navigate from room to room without as many problems. 

Set aside some pillows for elevating your leg. The position helps reduce swelling that's associated with these surgeries. Make sure your medications are easily accessible, such as on the nightstand next to your bed. If the bathroom is too far away, you might want to invest in a bedside commode. 

Watch Out for Warning Signs

Although knee replacement surgeries are pretty standard and are often completed without any complications, it's important to pay attention to potential warning signs after surgery. Your body will naturally experience pain as it tries to heal, but the pain shouldn't cause your fever to spike. You also shouldn't have any blood clots, sharp pain in the treated calf, foul-smelling discharge, or chest pain.

If you experience any of these symptoms after your surgery, schedule a follow-up appointment with your orthopedic surgeon immediately. They'll check on the knee and check your vitals, making sure you're stable before anything else is done. The replacement knee may need to be removed because of your body's rejection of it. Your surgeon will discuss every medical option, so everyone is on the same page. 

Exercise Routinely 

Even though feeling sore is sometimes unavoidable after this surgery, you can speed up the recovery process through daily exercises. Three of the most important include ankle pumps and circles, heel slides, and thigh squeezes. All of these exercises can be completed from the comforts of home, without expensive equipment. 

If you're not sure what exercises to do, you can always consult with a physical therapist. They'll target your pains and sores, and establish an exercise routine that works for your lifestyle. 

Getting a new knee may sound like a scary step. The operation can go smoothly if you take the right actions after it's over and keep in touch with your orthopedic surgeon. Check out a website like http://www.superior-orthopedics.com/ for more information and assistance.