Some people believe that if something is going to go wrong with their knee replacement operation, it’s going to be because of an issue with how the operation is performed by their surgeon. And while surgical errors can certainly occur, far more often than not a post-op issue is caused by a mistake on the patient’s end.
That’s not to say that it’s always the patient’s fault. If a surgeon doesn’t adequately prepare their patient for what to expect and how to best recover after surgery, the surgeon bears just as much if not more responsibility for the post-op issues. And we’re not saying all this to suggest that you are to blame for any issues that you run into after your knee replacement operation, rather, we’re calling attention to the idea that the patient has a lot more control over their final outcome than they may realize. With that in mind, we want to share some of the common mistakes that can be made during your knee replacement recovery, and more importantly, how to avoid them so that you can make the strongest recovery possible.
Avoid These Mistakes After Knee Replacement Surgery
Here’s a look at some common mistakes that can be made if a patient and provider are not on the same page after knee replacement surgery.
- Not Prehabbing – One common mistake actually occurs before your joint replacement operation, and that’s not partaking in prehabilitation exercises. Some people think that the best thing they can do for their knee in the days and weeks leading up to their operation is to rest it, but that’s not typically the case. Use this time to work on strengthening the knee and its supportive structures so that muscles and ligaments that will stabilize your new knee will be stronger and healthier. You can do specific prehab exercises, or you can just strive to get regular exercise by walking or swimming. Any movement that strengthens the knee area will be helpful.
- Not Leaving With A Plan – Before you’re discharged, your care team is going to want to ensure that you are physically capable of caring for yourself. However, physical function is only part of the equation. You also need to be sure that you understand what is expected of you over the next days, weeks and months. If you’re unclear on your next steps, just ask. You need to know when to start physical therapy, how to manage your pain medications and how to safely increase your activity level. Your care team will do their best to make sure you understand all of this before you’re discharged, but make sure you ask questions if you want clarification about any aspects. Even if you’ve already been discharged, your care team is only a phone call away.
- Too Much, Too Soon – We understand that you want to make the quickest recovery possible, but that doesn’t mean you should push your knee beyond its limits. Surgery is a major trauma, and it’s going to take some time to recover. If you do too much, too soon, you’re at an elevated risk for a setback, and that only prolongs rehab further. If you truly think you’re ahead of schedule, that’s great! Just make sure you clear any activity modifications with your care team or your physical therapist first. If you haven’t been cleared to drive or return to work, don’t do it without their approval. We’ll happily recommend those activities if you’re physically and safely able to do them, but the actions may put more strain on your knee than you realize, so run it by your care team first.
- Poor Pain Management – We touched on pain management in the second point, but pain care deserves it’s own bullet point. If you don’t properly take your medications, you may find yourself in a lot of pain, or if you take too many, you could be at risk for dependence and overdose. Work with your care team to make a pain management plan before you’re discharged, and stick to your regimen once you’re on your own. Again, if you have questions or concerns, just reach out. Poor pain management can make you not want to participate in physical therapy, which is the catalyst of your recovery.
If you want more information about any of the above topics, or you just want to trust your surgery to a team who will do everything in their power to ensure your procedure and recovery is a success, reach out to Dr. Botero and his team today.
