Pre Surgery Before Knee Replacement Surgery
PRE SURGERY BEFORE KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Pre-surgery is just as important as post surgery. Once you have a surgery date, your surgeon will send you to an orientation seminar and give you a guide on what to expect and the aftermath.
Pre surgery is the time to build up strength in your legs. Yes, the condition of your legs determines your recovery after surgery. Knee replacement surgery is major surgery and requires at least a 12 week recovery period depending on what type of job you have.
I had an office job so my recovery time was 12 weeks to be able to function. That means to drive a car, do laundry, go grocery shopping and all the mundane day to day activities.
Since my surgeon was so overbooked my surgery date was four months out, plenty of time to build up my muscles and try to lose some weight. In order to help with my injured leg, I used a brace and a cane to help me move around. My bad knee got fatigued easily and I needed all the help I could get.
At work I kept the same routine, going to the cafeteria twice a day, going to meetings and trying to keep my normal schedule. I also pushed at home, starting a major cleanup due to my ever worsening knee condition. I feel this helped my recovery and return to work.
Gravity is a bitch with a bum knee, so I also tried to get to a pool a couple of times a week. Unable to kick or actually swim I walked the pool as long as I could to increase my muscle mass and stamina.
There are lots of resources on the internet for knee replacement pre-surgery exercises. Also, your surgeon's office should have given you an exercise guide to get ready for your surgery.
I highly recommend you following your surgeon's exercises and recommendations. It may be painful and exhausting but it will help in the long run of your recovery.
Nine days before my surgery date I walked the The Grove and Farmers Market and then went to the Magic Castle for an event. I didn't think anything of this until after my surgery. Since I persevered in maintaining my normal return. After my surgery, I was able to lift up my leg, much to the surprise of the nursing staff. I was also able to walk two hospital corridors with my physical therapist after surgery. I believe this helped with my early discharge since we were told I would be in the hospital 2 to 3 days when in reality I was discharged less than 36 hours later.
Everyone is different in their knee replacement journey. Along with age, is physical condition and knee condition. But I would highly recommend pushing yourself before surgery. Don’t let your knee prevent your from doing the normal things and living life before surgery. It might make the difference between your recovery and success of knee replacement surgery.
NEXT ARTICLE: SURGERY DAY
Pre-surgery is just as important as post surgery. Once you have a surgery date, your surgeon will send you to an orientation seminar and give you a guide on what to expect and the aftermath.
Pre surgery is the time to build up strength in your legs. Yes, the condition of your legs determines your recovery after surgery. Knee replacement surgery is major surgery and requires at least a 12 week recovery period depending on what type of job you have.
I had an office job so my recovery time was 12 weeks to be able to function. That means to drive a car, do laundry, go grocery shopping and all the mundane day to day activities.
Since my surgeon was so overbooked my surgery date was four months out, plenty of time to build up my muscles and try to lose some weight. In order to help with my injured leg, I used a brace and a cane to help me move around. My bad knee got fatigued easily and I needed all the help I could get.
At work I kept the same routine, going to the cafeteria twice a day, going to meetings and trying to keep my normal schedule. I also pushed at home, starting a major cleanup due to my ever worsening knee condition. I feel this helped my recovery and return to work.
Gravity is a bitch with a bum knee, so I also tried to get to a pool a couple of times a week. Unable to kick or actually swim I walked the pool as long as I could to increase my muscle mass and stamina.
There are lots of resources on the internet for knee replacement pre-surgery exercises. Also, your surgeon's office should have given you an exercise guide to get ready for your surgery.
I highly recommend you following your surgeon's exercises and recommendations. It may be painful and exhausting but it will help in the long run of your recovery.
Nine days before my surgery date I walked the The Grove and Farmers Market and then went to the Magic Castle for an event. I didn't think anything of this until after my surgery. Since I persevered in maintaining my normal return. After my surgery, I was able to lift up my leg, much to the surprise of the nursing staff. I was also able to walk two hospital corridors with my physical therapist after surgery. I believe this helped with my early discharge since we were told I would be in the hospital 2 to 3 days when in reality I was discharged less than 36 hours later.
Everyone is different in their knee replacement journey. Along with age, is physical condition and knee condition. But I would highly recommend pushing yourself before surgery. Don’t let your knee prevent your from doing the normal things and living life before surgery. It might make the difference between your recovery and success of knee replacement surgery.
NEXT ARTICLE: SURGERY DAY
Related Articles
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map
Content copyright © 2023 by Cindy Kimura. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Cindy Kimura. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Cindy Kimura for details.
