5 Tips For Optimizing Recovery From Total Knee Replacement

3/25/2019

Joints can experience a lot of wear and tear, particularly if you’ve managed to stay active through the majority of your life.

Due to this break down, total knee replacement is one of the highest volume orthopedic surgeries in the US. It’s likely you know someone who has undergone the procedure or is getting ready to.

There were nearly 700,000 total knee replacement surgeries in 2018. Due to increases in population, activity levels, and average weight, that number is expected to increase to more than 3 million by 2030.

Despite how often the procedure is performed, a number of patients (about 1 out of 12) need to be readmitted to the hospital due to complications after surgery. These complications range from infection to wound healing, cardiovascular problems, venous thrombosis, pain, and arthrofibrosis (scar tissue development that limits knee function).

If a total knee replacement is in your future (or someone you know), here are 5 ways you can increase your chances of a successful recovery from surgery.

Local to the Towson, Lutherville-Timonium,
Cockeysville, or Hunt Valley area?

CLICK TO REFER
FRIENDS & FAMILY

Friends & Family receive a FREE
Discovery Session at Premier!

1. Prehabilitation

Prehabilitation is the concept of developing as much strength and range of motion around the knee (and in the legs in general) as possible before surgery. You “pre-hab” by working with a qualified therapist or strength trainer.

By doing so, the theory is that you will have a better surgical outcome, and the research indicates this theory is true. Pre-hab has been shown to:

Decrease pain levels 4 weeks post-op
Improve function post-op at 6, 8, and 12 weeks
Decrease the time after surgery needed to be able to climb stairs, use the toilet, and use a chair.

2. Lose Weight

Weight plays a significant role in your total knee replacement outcome, so much so that certain hospitals have stopped providing the surgery for patients who are extremely overweight. Obsese patients nearly double their odds from infection after surgery. Those who go through surgery at a healthy weight decrease the risk for:

Problems with wound healing
Superficial and deep peri-prosthetic joint infections

As an added bonus, weight loss should also help those knees feel a little better before surgery.

3.  Start rehab early

…And this could mean really early. Ask your doctor how soon they plan to start mobilizing the knee after surgery. Some studies have shown that mobilization within 4 hours of surgery can decrease risks for venous thrombosis (one of the most common causes of hospital readmission).

It can also contribute to a shorter length of stay at the hospital, higher functional scores after surgery, and improved pain control.

Whether your doctor clears you for mobilization after 4 hours or 4 weeks, make sure you adhere to their schedule. Don’t blow off your rehab, as it will significantly affect your chances of a successful recovery.

4. Be Prepared For Setbacks

Expect the unexpected. Even if you’ve done everything right, there’s still a chance there may be setbacks along the recovery process. Make sure your physician and his/her team are educating you on any potential setbacks that may occur after surgery.

By being well educated, you can prepare psychologically for any obstacles in your way during the recovery process and tell yourself that no matter the setback, you WILL make a full recovery.

5.  Eat Healthy

If you’re not already well versed on the basics of a healthy diet, now is the time to seek help. Not only will eating healthy help you to lose weight before surgery, but it will also optimize your recovery.

A healthy diet will give you all the nutrients your body needs to make that knee feel brand new. After surgery, your diet might need to be a little higher in protein, fruits, and vegetables. You’ll also want to avoid foods that are likely to cause an inflammatory response.

If you need help in this area, let me know – I’d be happy to connect you with a few of the experts in my network.

Wrap-Up

If you've already had a total knee replacement and still aren't back to 100%, you'll want to reach out to a member of our team.

We may be able to point you in the right direction to help you restore range of motion, decrease pain levels, build strength, and get back to an active lifestyle.

Click to request a call with a member of our team

References:

1.  Wang L, Lee M, Zhang Z, Moodie J, Cheng D, Martin J. Does preoperative rehabilitation for patients planning to undergo joint replacement surgery improve outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open. 2016;6(2):e009857. Published 2016 Feb 2. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009857

2.  O'Neill SC, Butler JS, Daly A, Lui DF, Kenny P. Effect of body mass index on functional outcome in primary total knee arthroplasty - a single institution analysis of 2180 primary total knee replacements. World J Orthop. 2016;7(10):664-669. Published 2016 Oct 18. doi:10.5312/wjo.v7.i10.664

3. Same-day Mobilization following Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty. Alberta Bone & Joint Institute. Published 2009 Oct 1.

Local to the Towson, Lutherville-Timonium,
Cockeysville, or Hunt Valley area?

CLICK TO REFER
FRIENDS & FAMILY

Friends & Family receive a FREE
Discovery Session at Premier!

4 Comments

About the Author

Evan Lewis is a nationwide leader in Neuro Therapy and founded the Baltimore area's only specialist Neuro Therapy facility.

You might know Evan from his work with MLB, NFL, and NCAA players around the country. After discovering the benefits of Neuro Therapy while playing football at Penn State University, he opened Premier Neuro Therapy in 2015. Within just 6 months of opening, clients were so excited about Evan and his techniques that athletes from around the country began calling to request his services. Since then, he has been featured by numerous publications and productions around the country including WEEI Boston Sports News, Jacksonville 1010XL The Drill With Dan Hicken And Jeff Prosser, and The Washington Post.

Today, Evan continues to strive towards his mission of bringing Neuro Therapy to as many people as possible. This work begins in the Baltimore, MD area, where he looks forward to introducing you to Neuro Therapy and getting you back to the active lifestyle you love.

Brooklyn Johnson link

4/19/2019 03:37:14 pm

I like how you mentioned that some studies have shown that mobilization within 4 hours of surgery can decrease risks for venous thrombosis and contribute to a shorter stay at the hospital. My grandpa might have to have knee replacement surgery and doesn't really know what to expect after the surgery. I will definitely pass along your great information to my grandpa if he ends up having to have knee replacement surgery so he can be prepared.

R3 Stem Cell link

4/21/2020 02:32:17 am

Weight management and diet helps a lot and i agree with you, if you would have considered these earlier, may be you won't need to go through knee replacement, and there are other options such as Stem Cell therapies are available, which are effective enough to save you from painful process of joint replacement.

Rebecca Gardner link

4/22/2020 02:05:04 pm

It was helpful when you explained that we need to avoid foods that can cause inflammation while recovering from knee replacement surgery. I found out that my brother needs to get surgery on his right knee within the next month or so, and I want to do whatever I can to help his recovery process. I think bringing him meals would be a good way to help him, so your recommendations about diet during the recovery process are much appreciated!

Eileen Benson link

2/9/2021 12:58:55 pm

Thanks for the tip to find a physician team that educates us about the risks and potential setbacks before the surgery. My uncle may need to get hip replacement surgery since he can no longer walk without significant pain. Your advice should help him find an orthopedic surgeon he feels confident about working with thorough the process.