The vast majority of patients say that their knee feels much better after total knee replacement than before they had the operation, but one of the more common complaints following a joint replacement operation is that there is lingering stiffness in the area. A little stiffness is better than the constant pain and discomfort that was present prior to the procedure, but if we can help prevent this stiffness from developing after the procedure, that’s one of our main goals. In today’s blog, we take a look at some ways we work with the patient to help prevent stiffness after a knee replacement operation.
Preventing Stiffness Following Joint Replacement
There is no perfect rehab plan to follow to ensure that stiffness can be prevented 100 percent of the time, but we’re confident that if you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be giving yourself the best opportunity to combat lingering stiffness after knee replacement surgery.
- Early Movement – Early exercise and movement is key for helping to prevent stiffness from developing in your artificial knee joint. Dr. Botero and his team preach early movement, and the minimally invasive techniques he uses during the operation makes it easier for the patient to move around soon after the procedure. Early exercise helps to establish motion and flexibility in the joint, which in turn helps to prevent stiffness.
- Painkiller Management – Developing a healthy painkiller regimen can also help to prevent stiffness from developing. If you have poor pain control, you’ll be less likely to follow through on your exercises, which can be uncomfortable. However, taking too much medication can have dangerous side effects as well, so it’s not just about taking enough medication to drown out all the pain in your knee. Work with your knee specialist before and after your procedure to ensure your medication regimen is safe and effective.
- Preventing Pre-Op Stiffness – If your knee was pretty stiff prior to the operation, there’s a decent chance that you’ll have lingering stiffness following the operation. That’s why it’s so important to follow preoperative exercise and dietary guidelines to help work on stiffness control before your procedure. It won’t be easy, but if you put in some therapy work before your procedure, you’ll be more likely to have improved results after your operation. Consider going through some exercises or physical therapy stretches in the days and weeks leading up to your replacement operation.
- Additional Health Problems – There’s a chance that unrelated health issues could cause stiffness problems for your new knee. For example, diabetics may experience inhibited blood flow to their extremities, and this reduced blood flow ability can contribute to decreased healing and more stiffness after a joint replacement operation. You can’t get rid of your diabetes, but you can work hard to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels and prevent related complications. Talk to your doctor about any other health issues you have as well as how they could impact your healing after knee replacement.
- The Right Surgeon – Finally, you can help to prevent stiffness from developing in your knee by choosing a surgeon who uses innovative and minimally invasive techniques to reduce the trauma on the knee and nearby structures. By preserving this tissue, there is less healing that needs to take place, and with that comes a reduced likelihood of stiffness or flexibility problems. Choose a surgeon who is skilled enough to perform a less invasive replacement procedure.
For more information, or to talk to Dr. Botero about your knee or hip replacement options, reach out to his clinic today.
