Knee replacement surgery is very exciting; it often opens up a door for patients to reclaim the lives they thought were gone forever. However, there is still a period of recovery time necessary after knee replacement, and precautions which patients should take. If patients are conscientious about their recovery period, they will heal up optimally and be able to do the things they’ve missed; if they are not, they can cause complications which result in the recovery period taking much longer. They must also be realistic about the prognosis in terms of certain activities, which may still be too high impact for the replaced knee.

How long will you be in the hospital?

This depends on several things, including the manner in which the knee replacement was done, the patient’s health, and the patient’s and doctor’s preferences. Most hospital stays following knee replacement surgery last one to four days. The length of stay also is related to the patient’s ability to meet several goals, as well. For example, they will need to demonstrate that they can get in and out of the bed by themselves, feed themselves, go to the bathroom without assistance, and so forth. They’ll also need to feel comfortable getting around with whatever assistance device has been chosen, whether it’s crutches, a walker, or a cane. And finally, they must have been fully briefed on the recovery process.

For patients who have difficulty meeting these goals, it may be preferable for them to be transferred to a rehabilitation or nursing center temporarily.

Signs to Watch for

Patients will also need to know what to look for to determine whether they need to visit the doctor in the event of a suspected infection or blood clot. Fevers, chills, redness, swelling, and drainage can be a sign of an infection, as can increasing pain. Pain can also point to a blood clot, as can red, tender skin above or below the knee joint. Patients should also visit the doctor if they experience any other unusual symptoms.

Preparing One’s Home

It can be helpful if the patient prepares their home for their recovery prior to going to surgery. This will make adjusting to their recovery much easier. Some things that patients can do to prepare include:

• Rearrange furniture

Making sure that there’s ample space to move between pieces of furniture (especially taking into account any assistance devices the patient is using) is much more easily accomplished prior to the surgery.

• Remove throw rugs and other slipping and tripping hazards

• Install a special chair that allows the patient to sit in the shower

• Think about ways to avoid using the stairs during recovery—for example, set up the downstairs guest room as a temporary bedroom, or make a temporary bedroom in the downstairs den. This will make things much easier for the patient, and reduce the risk of falls before they’ve gotten their strength back completely.

• Ensure that there’s a place the patient can sit with their knee elevated, comfortably.

• Have number for the orthopedic doctor handy so that the patient can call immediately if they have a question or need assistance.

Article Source: http://www.streetarticles.com/diseases/recovering-from-knee-replacement-surgery-what-you-should-know