4 Things to Determine Before Undergoing a Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery is a life-changing event. It can relieve pain, restore mobility, and improve quality of life. But it’s a big decision for which you must be as prepared as possible. For example, the knee replacement surgery cost can vary depending on the hospital, geographic location, and the type of insurance coverage you have. So, you must be mentally as well as financially prepared.

Keep Necessary Assistive Equipment Ready

Post-knee replacement surgery, you may require assistive equipment to perform certain activities, such as walking, dressing, or going to the bathroom. These devices contribute to your safety during your recovery process.

The following devices may be necessary depending on your condition following surgery:

• Aids for walking, such as crutches, canes, and walkers
• Sock aids and Shoehorns
• Your home should be equipped with grab bars
• Tongs and Reachers
• Toilets with raised seats
• Chair for the bath

You may also find the following items helpful in making the process less stressful:

• Ice packs or wraps for swelling and pain relief
• When you are sitting down, place extra pillows beneath your leg and provide support
• An incision-site-friendly pair of trousers or shorts that don’t restrict movement or irritate the incision area

Prepare Your Home for Recovery

During the first few days and weeks following your surgery, you may experience difficulty walking and moving around the house. Taking steps to prepare your home for knee replacement surgery is imperative, as your body needs time to heal.

Here are some suggestions for making your home more comfortable and safer before you undergo surgery:

• Ensure that tripping hazards are moved to prevent falls. For example, you can trip or slip on items such as floor coverings, kid’s toys, power cords, and a generally cluttered environment. Therefore, you must keep the floor free of clutter.
• Maintain a minimum three-foot width for all pathways and shift furniture to allow easy walking. The recovery process will likely require using a walking aid, crutches, or the help of a loved one to walk for a while. Your recovery may be easier if you arrange your furniture in a way that permits you to move quickly around it.
• Keep items that you will need within easy reach. Depending on the complexity of your surgery, you may have difficulty bending down. Therefore, make sure that you store items of everyday need in a place where you can quickly access them without bending over. Picking up things low to the ground can also be made easier with a grabbing device.
• Make sure your bathroom is equipped with safety rails. This will ensure your safety and convenience while using the bathroom.
• Consider arranging your living space on one level. In the course of your recovery, you may have difficulty climbing stairs. Thus, your house’s living space should be adjusted as much as possible to accommodate your recovery on one level if your home has multiple floors.

Exercise Before Your Surgery

If you strengthen and condition your body before surgery, the recovery process can be improved in many ways. For example, using assistive devices like crutches or wheelchairs will be easier if your upper body is strong.

A pre-knee replacement exercise program can also help you lose weight, reducing the stress placed on your knees during and following the procedure. Research indicates that a weight loss of one pound can reduce knee pressure by four pounds.

In addition, if you suffer from knee pain, you may benefit from low-impact exercises, such as yoga, cycling, and swimming, before knee replacement surgery.

You can also minimise joint discomfort following the surgery by riding a stationary or regular exercise bike before knee replacement. This will increase your stamina, strength of your muscles, and flexibility.

Seek Assistance from Family and Friends

It is not uncommon for your body to feel fatigued during recovery. However, you can focus on healing by receiving support from friends and family. There are also a few things you must take care of before the surgery, like:

• Establish arrangements for caring for your children or pets, if necessary. Making sure your loved ones are well taken care of can ease any stress you may be experiencing.
• Arrange for assistance with errands. A few weeks following surgery, you will not be able to drive. It is therefore advisable to ask for help with activities such as shopping for groceries and prescription pick-up ahead of time.
• Create a meal schedule. Check with your family and friends to see if they can deliver meals to you during your recovery period. They may also help you prepare meals that can be frozen.
• Ask for assistance with household tasks and chores. For example, you might ask your neighbour to mow your grass for a few weeks or get a close relative to assist with housekeeping.

By making personal as well as financial arrangements, such as knee replacement surgery cost, a month in advance, you are more likely to feel less stress and tension. Furthermore, it allows your family and friends to keep their schedules flexible to assist you as you recover.

Conclusion

If your doctor has advised you to get a knee replacement, you should take care of the things mentioned above, including knee replacement surgery cost, before going through the surgery to ensure a simple and effective recovery process.

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