The patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be observed during immediate phase of post knee replacement surgery as follows:
Compliance with assistive devices:
- Your surgeon could recommend use of crutch or walker for support during the immediate phase of post knee replacement surgery.
- After gaining some support on the joint and attaining decent pain control, you could graduate from using a crutch or walker to a cane.
- You could continue using the cane until you are able to walk without a limp.
- Observe compliance with use of assistive device prescribed to better support the surgical limb and avoid falls & accidents.
Compliance with therapy prescribed:
- Scar tissue formation happens as a normal healing response to injury or surgery in any individual. Without physical therapy ordered or the patient being noncompliant with the therapy sessions, scar tissue formation can make the knee rigid and arrest the range of motion in the joint.
- Consequently, the knee could get stuck in one position. For this reason, physical therapy could be ordered immediately after the knee replacement surgery.
- You could be started on rehabilitation with physical therapy sessions aggressively to start with, three times a week, for initial few weeks.
- Depending on the progress you make, the frequency of therapy sessions could change accordingly. Physical therapists recommend exercise program to restore the mobility and range of motion in the joint.
- You are the significant player on the team working to realize the goal of rehabilitating the surgical knee.
- Though you see the therapist three times a week, the general recommendation is that you take the initiative to comply with practicing the exercises instructed upon by yourself three times a day.
- Your compliance with the therapy sessions is a key determinant in how quick the knee is rehabilitated.
