No matter if you are recovering from knee replacement
surgery, or have suffered a knee injury, taking knee rehab seriously is crucial
to successfully getting back on your feet and about your normal life. The
surgery itself is just one tiny step in the process, however the recovery and
rehabilitation required afterwards is just as essential to the overall success
of the procedure. Here are a few guidelines for success.
1. Follow a Strict Routine – It is important that you follow
your routine laid out by your doctor or healthcare team to a T. Be sure to use
the continuous passive motion machine, perform all exercises, and take any
medications that your doctor or physical therapist has prescribed.
Additionally, do not forget to attend follow-up appointments with your surgeon
and therapist, even and especially if you do not feel like it.
2. Improve Extension and Flexion – One thing that suffers
after a knee surgery or injury is the range of motion in the leg. As such, it
is important that you bend and straighten the knee as much as you can. A good
way to improve extension is to lay down with a rolled up towel under your ankle
while keeping your leg straight. For flexion, try sitting on a chair and
bending your knee further so that your foot slides back underneath you.
3. Avoid Unnecessary Stress – While it should go without
saying, the knee will be tender and prone to additional injury while
recovering. As such, you should avoid lifting anything heavy or doing any
excessive exercise. Additionally, make sure that whenever you turn to face
another direction to turn your entire body and avoid placing any twisting force
on the knee.
