A partial knee replacement operation involves replacing some compartments of the knee while preserving the areas that are still functioning properly. So while it leaves you with more of your original knee components compared to a total knee replacement, that doesn’t mean that rehab will be a walk in the park. You’re still going to need to put in a lot of work in order to achieve the best results. In today’s blog, we explain how you can achieve the best and fastest recovery after a partial knee replacement operation.
Recovering After Partial Knee Replacement
Retaining the healthy compartments of your knee is one of the benefits of partial knee replacement, but odds are those “healthy” components have more damage and degeneration on them than an artificial replacement joint. That doesn’t mean that we should always swap out joints that are suffering from natural degeneration, but it does suggest that partial knee replacement candidates will need to put in a good deal of therapy in order to keep those natural compartments functioning as they should after surgery. If you don’t, you still may experience pain or discomfort after surgery, and that’s never a desired outcome.
So how can you preserve joint function and make the best recovery after partial knee replacement? Here’s what we tall all of our patients.
1. Early Activity
Rest is great in the immediate aftermath of surgery, but you’re not going to experience the best healing results if you just lay around waiting for your body to heal. Your knee will actually heal faster and more fuller with early activity and strength training. Obviously, you’ll want to follow your surgeon’s instructions for how to safely move and test the knee as you recover, but early movement helps to improve:
- Range of motion
- Flexibility
- Joint function
- Stability
- Blood flow to the area
Movement is key after partial or total knee replacement, which is why we often make sure patients can perform some movements like walking or navigating stairs before they are discharged from the surgery center.
2. Physical Therapy
Along a similar line, physical therapy is what will drive home your recovery in the weeks after your operation. Your knee joint and the surrounding soft tissues that support and stabilize it will be in a weakened state as it recovers from the trauma of surgery, and the best way to strengthen it is with targeted exercise. Your physical therapist will also work to adjust your therapy schedule so you continue to build on your recovery and don’t plateau too early. They can also be a great resource if you have questions about your rehabilitation or recovery.
3. Diet
Now, eating a healthy diet won’t have the same effect on you as eating spinach did for Popeye, but a healthy diet is a key component after partial knee replacement surgery. Your body draws a lot of essential nutrients from your diet, so make sure you are giving your body the opportunity to absorb nutrients that will aid in the healing process. Moreover, a poor diet can lead to weight gain, especially because you won’t be burning off as many calories due to limited activity as you recover. We don’t need to explain how added weight can cause problems for a knee that is in the process of recovering after surgery, so make smart dietary choices in the days and weeks after surgery.
4. Doctor’s Orders
Finally, while the above tips can serve as a general guideline, the best way to have a speedy and successful recovery after partial knee replacement is by heeding the advice of your operating surgeon. They know exactly which knee compartments were replaced and how this precise surgery heals best, so listen to their advice. Follow their guidelines and don’t do things like drive or return to work if it is not recommended by your surgeon. If you feel like you’re ready for more activities, get clearance from your surgeon or your medical team before taking on new physical activities, because overstressing the knee too soon after surgery can lead to setbacks or even the need for a second surgery.
If you keep all these tips in mind and are willing to put in the work, we’re confident that you’ll have a successful recovery following partial knee replacement. For more information, or for answers to your questions about partial or total knee replacement, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office today.
