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Knee Replacements
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You are getting older and your joints creak and crack. Your knees are playing havoc with you and it is time for a replacement. Personally, I had my left knee replaced nineteen years ago and I was in my thirties, so you don't have to be a senior to have knee replacements. Three months ago I had to have my right knee replaced, and when that heals, which will be in a month or so, my left knee has to be replaced again. My reason for replacements is arthritis which is the main reason for replacements. There are other reason for replacement surgery such as sport injuries, car and motorcycle accidents. For those that are having replacements, I would like to give a bit of advice before the surgery. If you are overweight like I was, cut back on your eating and exercise as much as you are able. I lost ten pounds before surgery and to date a total of twenty-five pounds and still losing. There is no sense in getting a perfect replacement if you continue to gain weight. Added weight stresses the legs, which in turn stresses the knees. If you are inactive because of your knees, that is when you will put on weight, and it gets to the point where your body frame can't carry that much weight. This is when your knees will totally fail you and it makes life in general even worse. I got to the point were I couldn't stand to do dishes, or even carry them to the cupboard. So you will want to lose weight to give the new knee a chance. Meditate every day, even several times a day to help put you in a positive frame of mind. Having a positive attitude makes all the difference when it comes time to heal. If you don't know how to meditate, just sit and have quiet time and think positive thoughts. Put yourself in a place where you are at peace and one with yourself. Take fifteen to twenty minutes, two or three times a day and it will make a world of difference on your outcome. Relax and calm yourself the day of your surgery. I know it is easier said then done for the majority, I was really apprehensive that morning, but I was told to concentrate on my breathing and it did relax and calm me. Just breath deep from your stomach through your nose and exhale very slowly out your mouth. And remember, it is a specialist who is operating and he knows his job, so you will be in good hands. My doctor told me that he thought it is fun doing knee replacements and I said maybe for him it was, and we both chuckled. After the surgery the hard work begins. With my previous surgery I was much younger and healed faster. Not so this time round, because now that I am older the healing process took longer. With some people this is true, but not all. The day after the surgery therapy begins and with knee replacements it is twice a day, morning and afternoon. Most people I know don't want to take medication, but I advise you to take it before therapy so you can withstand the session. I don't want to scare anyone, but I know I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the medication and I want to be truthful, it is painful. Plus if you are in pain take the medication for it and don't let the pain get ahead, because if it does the medications won't work as well, the pain will be too strong. You don't want to baby and favour the new knee either, you won't be doing yourself any good. Be prepared for a lot of bruising and swelling, and I do mean swelling. You have to push hard each and every day to gain improvement and if you work hard you will see a lot of improvement. I even took the therapy slide board and practiced in my hospital bed twice a day on my own. I just kept thinking of all the things I would be able to do again, like gardening, which is my passion, dancing, even climb stairs again!! Some, like myself are not able to go to out patient therapy. I live in the country and don't drive. So the Red Cross came to my home to help with my personal care and household chores. A physiotherapist also came twice a week for the first three weeks and then once a week until she was satisfied with my recovery. Here are some of the methods of therapy that I was instructed to do: Ankle Bend
Bend ankle up and down, alternating feet. Repeat ten times, three to four times a day. Hip/Knee - Towel Calf Stretch
Sit with knee straight and towel looped around foot. Gently pull towel until a comfortable stretch is felt in calf. Hold five seconds. Repeat ten times, three to four times a day. Hip/Knee - Passive Range of Motion Knee Flexion
With a towel around your heel, gently pull knee upward with the towel until stretch is felt. Repeat ten times, three to four times a day. Total knee
Place can or rolled towel ( I used a can because it was more solid.), under leg. Tighten the muscles on top of leg while trying to push knee towards the floor. Hold for five seconds, repeat ten times, three to four times a day. Total Knee Heel Slides
Bend knee and pull towards buttocks. Repeat ten times, three to four times a day. Standing
Bend knee up as far as possible. Hold five second. Repeat ten times, three to four times a day. I used two odd socks together and poured two pounds of sand in the sock. Then I knotted it off and tied it around my ankle.) Strength Building One Step Stairs
Using a stool or stairs, step up, then down with same leg ten times. Repeat using the other leg to complete a set of ten step - ups. Repeat ten times, three to four times a day. I hope I have informed and enlightened those that need replacement surgery. I didn't sugarcoat it and it is not a walk in the park during your recovery. But yo will be able to walk in the park without pain and without walking aids. Copywrite © 2005 Greetings. My name is Ameasha and I live in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. I have lived in the country along the Nith River for over twenty-five years where my husband and I have raised three children. I love to write and hope to publish a book in the near future.
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