If you expect to need a knee replacement procedure in the near future, odds are you’ll turn to the internet or some friends or family members who have had their knees replaced for information on the operation and recovery. And while many topics may be researched, one aspect that is commonly discussed during pre-op consultations is the challenges patients will face on their road to recovery. Many patients want to know what the hardest part of surgery and recovery will be, because if they can handle that, they can handle anything.
With that in mind, we want to use today’s blog to talk about the toughest aspects of recovering after knee replacement surgery.
Hardest Part Of Knee Replacement Recovery
Every patient, every knee and every operation will be a little different, so there’s no one factor that is always the hardest for every single patient. With that said, we’ve polled some patients, reviewed knee recovery message boards and used our own experience to highlight some of the things that patients say are the hardest aspects of recovering after knee replacement surgery. Here’s what made the list:
- Pain – For many people, the pain and discomfort is the worst part of the recovery, but the good news is that this pain is fleeting. Most people say that discomfort is at its worst for the first few days after surgery once the anesthesia wears off. Your doctor will talk with you about managing discomfort during this time or how to use medications to aid in pain relief. Remember that this discomfort is temporary, and if you are smart about taking your pain medications and you follow your doctor’s advice for moving and participating in physical therapy during the early stages of your rehab, you can work to reduce this discomfort. Odds are you were in some discomfort prior to the operation, and there’s a good chance that you’ll be in much less pain when recovery is complete, so know that your discomfort is a necessary part of having a stronger, more functional and less painful knee.
- Slow Recovery – Others say that the worst part of recovering after knee replacement surgery is how long the process takes. Knee replacement is a major operation, and recovery isn’t going to happen overnight. Your recovery will be measured in months, not days, so expect that you’re in for a long recovery period before you have your surgery. We always tell patients that time is going to pass at the same speed regardless of whether or not you undergo your surgery, so you might as well have the operation and be working towards a more functional knee. Expect a slow but gradual process during your recovery.
- Physical Limitations – It’s normal to be frustrated with your physical limitations after knee replacement surgery, but know that this too is a temporary issue. You may find that you need help around the house or that it’s difficult to get dressed in the morning, but try to set yourself up for success. Have someone help you around the house during the initial stages of recovery, prepare some easy to reheat meals before your operation, and lay out clothes and outfits that are easy to wear despite your knee limitations. You will be stronger and have more physical ability when all is said and done, so try not to get too worked up about short-term limitations as you begin your recovery phase.
- Effort Needed – Finally, one aspect that we always work to convey to our patients is that when it comes to your recovery, you’ll get out what you put in. Some people think that they’ll be able to lay in bed after their surgery has been completed and they’ll magically make a fantastic recovery. The operation is only a small part of your recovery journey, and you’re going to need to push yourself to move and complete your physical therapy exercises for weeks if you want to make a great overall recovery. Some people find that the hardest part of recovery is pushing themselves to follow through on their PT exercises. Know that skipping PT or not giving maximum effort only hurts yourself in the long run, so stay committed to doing your recovery exercises.
If you want to connect with an orthopaedic surgeon who can help you navigate all these challenges ahead of your knee replacement operation, reach out to Dr. Botero and his team today at (865) 558-4444.
