Care at Home
Once the patient is at home it is important to always keep the surgical area dry and clean. The doctor gives the patient certain instructions for bathing. The surgical staples or stitches will remove at a follow up visit to help with swelling the doctor will ask you to apply ice to the knee and to alleviate the leg. Take some pain medications for pain or soreness on the recommendation from your doctor. Asprin and certain other medications might increase the chance of bleeding so make sure you take only the medications recommended by the doctor. It is important to notify your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Fever
- Redness
- Bleeding
- Swelling or drainage from the surgical site
- Immense pain around the surgical site
You can resume to eat your normal food unless the doctor advises you against it. A patient must not drive until the doctors give them a green signal. Full recovery from knee replacement surgery might take some months. It is necessary that you prevent false after your knee replacement surgery because it can lead to damage to the new joint. The therapist will suggest an assistive device such as a walker or cane to improve your balance and regain your strength. Try to make certain modifications in your lifestyle to help your recovery. Some of these modifications that you can do at home include:
- Safety
- Handrails in the bath and showers
- Lifted toilet seats
- Shower chair or bench
- Proper hand drills for the stairs
- Dressing stick
- Long-handled shower hose and sponge
- Sock aid
- Avoiding stair climbing
- Removing electrical cords and loose carpets that might cause you to slip