Once you or someone dear to you has had undergone knee replacement surgery it is of utmost importance to take care of your post-operation knees for first few weeks or months.
As long as a patient is in hospital after the surgery for few days, Doctors and hospital staff will take care you. However, when a patient is discharged and given instructions to take home, it is the duty of relatives to take care of the patient for few days or weeks as long as he or she is unable to do self-care.
People should know that taking care of a patient who has undergone knee replacement surgery is quite challenging. However, there are a few important tips given below which would help a person to help them, post knee replacement. These tips are even advised by best Knee Replacement treatment India which is based in India.
The healing process depends upon the overall health of the patient, initially, the doctor will instruct the patient to use crutches or a walking frame to avoid pressure on operated knees for a week or so. Best Knee Replacement treatment India will advise the type of exercises needed for a fast recovery which needs help from family members to act as explained.
Help is needed for walking from one place to another, sitting and getting up from a toilet, wearing clothes, lying down from sitting position and sitting down and standing up.
Few very essential and important tips to take care of post knee surgery are given below which can help the patient to fully recover.
- Medication – Proper medication as advised and prescribed by the doctor is a very important aspect of a fast recovery. Make sure that you understand instructions well enough to administer the doses as prescribed by the discharge nurse or doctor to avoid any harmful side effects.
We must understand that proper medication plays a great role in the recovery of a post-op patient. You should always be around the patient to inform the Doctor in case any discomfort occurs during medication.
- Exercise – Exercises as advised by the Doctor also plays a vital role in the recovery of the patient. The exercises to be performed at regular intervals as advised and wherever help is needed must be rendered to assist a patient to perform the exercises.
Sometimes you may have to overlook the discomfort of a patient to do exercises but if the patient is in severe pain or distress then it’s best to consult a doctor. Always be around the patient while he or she is performing exercises on his own to avoid sudden falls or injuries and assist him whenever needed.
- Wound Care – Post operation wounds need to be taken extra care to avoid infection. For faster healing, avoid alcohol consumption and smoking. Eat healthy and fresh food such as fruits and vegetables. Keep the wound area dry and see that no redness or swelling happens over a wound.
If something odd develops or redness and softness of the wound occur, consult your doctor immediately. Regularly monitor the patient’s temperature to make sure an infection does not develop. Fever is usually a sign of a developing infection. Last but not the least, always encourage your loved one to undertake exercises and proper medication for the fast recovery.