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The top 5 mistakes after knee replacement surgery can severely affect the knee replacement recovery process and delay a knee-pain-free life. At Eminent Medical Center, our goal is to ensure a knee-pain-free life. To avoid knee replacement complications and ensure a full and smooth recovery, our orthopedic surgeon team urges patients to avoid errors, such as skipping physical therapy sessions or avoiding physical therapy exercises, returning to work before you’ve reached a full recovery, or overusing pain medication and assistive devices. Failing to make a thorough post-operative plan and neglecting to follow up with your knee surgeon can also compromise your knee recovery and future knee function. To ensure a smooth transition and prevent setbacks during your recovery journey, it’s essential to closely adhere closely to the recovery plan outlined by your orthopedic surgeon.
If you need to schedule a knee surgery in Dallas or Richardson, TX, our expert healthcare team is committed to providing comprehensive care, including pain management, wound care, and post-operative care. Our healthcare team dives into the top 5 mistakes after knee replacement surgery in detail below.
Call (469) 910-8800 to schedule an appointment at our state-of-the-art medical facility in Richardson, Texas.
What are the Top 5 Mistakes After Knee Replacement Surgery?
After a major surgery, such as knee replacement surgery, most patients are concerned with various pain management techniques for their postoperative pain or regaining mobility and knee function. However, common mistakes, such as over-relying on pain medication, even during physical therapy exercises later in the healing process, or the reverse, trying to push your new knee too much before the recovery period, can further delay recovery, complicate recovery, or hinder a full recovery altogether.
Below are the top 5 mistakes after knee replacement surgery.
Skipping Physical Therapy Sessions and Ignoring Your Knee Replacement Recovery Plan
One of the top 5 mistakes after knee replacement surgery is missing appointments with your physical therapist and neglecting physical therapy exercises. All patients want a full and speedy recovery, however, oftentimes, patients underestimates how much rehabilitation exercises aid in their body’s healing process. Once they’re past the early stages of physical therapy and have reached a short-term pain-free period, they stop showing up to their physical therapy appointments or stop doing their physical therapy exercises at home.
Your physical therapist understands what is required to avoid knee replacement complications and ensure a smooth recovery, designing specific programs of rehabilitation exercises to help patients maintain a healthy weight, avoid joint stiffness, and ensure a smooth transition using your new knee.
Showing up to physical therapy appointments and doing the knee replacement exercises your physical therapist has shown you is key a smooth recovery and longterm joint mobility.
Returning to Work Before the Recovery Period Is Over
One of the top 5 mistakes after knee replacement surgery is returning to work before the recovery period is over. While some patients avoid physical therapy during their temporary pain-free period, others push through increasing pain in order to return to work, which can severely disrupt your healing process and jeopardize your long-term joint mobility
Wound healing during the recovery period is essential for your new knee. Rushing back to work halfway through the recovery journey can lead to worsening pain and serious potential complications like blood clots, joint infection, or surgical site infection, especially if you’re also neglecting proper wound care.
Putting strain on the healing surface tissue outside of a monitored physical therapy session can also lead to decreased joint mobility and will delay your recovery journey. It’s essential to stick to your post-operative plan and work with your healthcare team to ensure you are regaining mobility properly.
Abusing Knee Pain Medication and Overrelying on Assistive Devices
Another one of the common mistakes is abusing knee pain medication and over-relying on assistive devices. While pain medications and assistive devices can be helpful in the pain management of postoperative pain, relying too heavily on them can hinder the recovery process. Overusing pain medications can mask the need for proper wound-healing techniques.
Patients must gradually transition from assistive devices to promote healing and reduce swelling naturally. Rather than relying on the sudden pain relief that pain medication provides, focus on proper rehabilitation through physical therapy.
Even if you’re taking pain medication for pain relief regularly, if you notice sudden worsening pain, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Failing to Make a Post-Operative Plan Before Your Knee Surgery
One of the top 5 mistakes after knee replacement surgery is failing to make a post-operative plan in advance, which can disrupt your smooth recovery. A solid plan for post-operative care ensures your new knee heals properly and helps prevent potential complications like blood clots or increasing pain. Work with your healthcare team and knee surgeon to arrange post-operative care, including assistance from a family member, managing pain relief, and scheduling follow-up appointments.
Skipping the Follow-Up Appointment With Your Knee Surgeon
One common mistake after knee arthroplasty is skipping the follow-up appointment with your knee surgeon. This critical step in your recovery journey allows your board-certified orthopedic surgeon to assess your progress, ensure you’re not at risk for blood clots, adjust your pain relief plan, and ensure healthy wound care. Missing this appointment can result in overlooked issues that could delay pain relief or lead to complications.
Knee Replacement Recovery
The knee recovery process involves following a structured recovery plan that includes physical therapy to strengthen the joint and reduce mild swelling. Skipping therapy or neglecting your plan outlined by your knee surgeon can delay recovery, so it’s important to stay on track for a smooth recovery.
What is the “Worst Day” After Knee Replacement Surgery?
The “worst day” in knee replacement recovery typically occurs in the early stages of the recovery process when the body begins the healing process. For most patients, this is within the first few days post-surgery, when severe pain may peak. During this time, it’s important to follow the guidance of your knee surgeon and consult with your healthcare provider for proper pain relief medications and pain management techniques.
Best Sitting Position After Knee Replacement
After knee replacement surgery, the best sitting position is with your leg elevated to help reduce swelling, prevent joint stiffness, and promote better blood flow to the surface tissue.
Knee Replacement Exercises to Avoid
While knee exercises are crucial for improving joint mobility after surgery, there are certain exercises you should avoid to ensure a smooth recovery. High-impact activities, such as running or deep squats, can strain the joint and delay healing. Instead, follow the guidelines of your physical therapy team to safely reduce swelling and promote long-term recovery.
Knee Replacement Symptoms and Knee Replacement FAQs
If you have questions about the healing process or your symptoms following your surgery, contact the healthcare team at our facility for orthopedic surgeries in Richardson and Dallas. We’re here to help ensure you have a smooth recovery.
Symptoms of a Loose Knee Replacement
Symptoms of a loose knee implant can include persistent pain in the knee joint, instability while walking, and difficulty bearing weight on your new knee. Although some mild swelling is normal during recovery, ongoing discomfort or a clicking sensation may signal an issue. Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent loosening and reduce pressure on the joint.
Symptoms of Wrong Size Knee Replacement
Symptoms of a wrong-size knee implant can include severe pain that doesn’t improve after full recovery, restricted movement, or an unnatural feeling in the joint. If the implant is too large or too small, it may interfere with the body’s healing process, causing discomfort and improper alignment during recovery.
Knee Replacement Metal Allergy Symptoms
After knee replacement surgery, some individuals may experience symptoms of a metal allergy, such as skin rashes, swelling, and knee joint pain around the implant. These reactions can lead to discomfort and delayed healing, as the body responds to the materials used in the knee implant. If you suspect a metal allergy, it’s essential to consult your surgeon to address the issue and explore alternative materials for the implant.
Knee Replacement Infection Symptoms
Knee replacement infection symptoms may include redness, warmth, and swelling around the incision site, along with worsening pain that doesn’t improve. A surgical site infection can also cause drainage or fever. Ensuring proper wound care after surgery is essential to preventing infections and promoting healing. If you notice any signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider immediately for treatment.
Signs of a Blood Clot After Knee Replacement
After major surgery like a knee replacement, it’s important to watch for signs of blood clots. Symptoms can include swelling, redness, warmth, and pain in the leg, particularly in the calf area. Blood clots can be serious if they travel to other parts of the body, so if you notice any of these signs after your knee replacement, seek immediate medical care.
Advantages of Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery in Dallas and Richardson, TX
Robotic knee replacement surgery is an advanced procedure that uses precise technology to assist surgeons during knee replacement operations. A board-certified orthopedic surgeon controls the robotic arm throughout the entire surgery process, while the robotic system helps ensure a more accurate placement of the knee implant.
If you’re interested in total joint surgery in Richardson and Dallas, look no further than Eminent Medical Center, where we perform robotic knee replacement surgeries using Stryker Mako SmartRobotics™ devices. Some of the advantages of robotic knee replacement surgery include:
- Increased precision in implant placement
- A customized surgical plan tailored to the patient’s anatomy
- Reduced risk of complications due to more accurate alignment
- Shorter recovery times and improved healing process
- Potential for a longer-lasting knee implant
Mako Knee Replacement vs Traditional
Mako robotic knee replacement surgeries and traditional knee replacement surgeries both aim to provide pain relief and restore mobility to patients with a damaged knee joint.
With Mako robotic technology, a Dallas and Richardson Mako surgeon uses advanced imaging and a robotic arm to create a customized surgical plan and perform the procedure with exceptional accuracy.
This leads to better alignment and implant placement, which can enhance the patient’s recovery and long-term outcome. Traditional knee replacements, while effective, rely more on the surgeon’s experience and manual techniques, which can sometimes result in less precision. Both approaches offer the potential for a full recovery, but Mako robotic knee replacements may offer a quicker recovery time and improved outcomes due to the precision of the procedure.
Mako Total Knee Replacement Surgery
At Eminent Medical Center, we proudly offer Mako total knee replacement surgery in Dallas and Richardson, providing patients with advanced technology for better outcomes. Our highly skilled team of medical professionals will perform the procedure using the Mako robotic arm to assist in maintaining precision throughout the operation.
While the robotic arm helps by preventing the surgeon from leaving the pre-planned surgical area, the procedure itself is 100% carried out by a human surgeon. This added layer of control significantly decreases the likelihood of surgical errors and enhances the overall safety of knee replacement surgery, giving patients the confidence they need for a smooth and successful recovery.
Mako Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
At Eminent Medical Center, we also provide Mako partial knee replacement surgery in Dallas and Richardson, offering patients a cutting-edge solution for restoring knee function. During the procedure, a human surgeon performs the operation entirely, with the Mako robotic arm assisting in maintaining surgical accuracy.
Like with total knee replacement, the robotic arm simply ensures the surgeon stays within the pre-planned surgical area and never acts without direct input from the surgeon. This technology enhances the precision of knee replacement surgery, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery while preserving as much of the natural knee structure as possible.
Schedule your Richardson Knee Surgery at Eminent Medical Center
If you’re considering knee replacement surgery in Dallas or Richardson, the highly skilled team at Eminent Medical Center is here to provide expert care. Whether you need a total or partial knee replacement, we are dedicated to ensuring a full and speedy recovery and guiding you through a smooth, pain-free period. From surgery to comprehensive post-operative care, trust us for your knee surgery in Richardson or Dallas for the best possible outcome.
Call (469) 910-8800 or contact us via our website to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon on our team today!
