Knee Replacement Precautions
The recovery of your knee is now well advanced. Knee strengthening exercises can be performed only if needed. You can basically lead a normal life.
However, remember that your knee is an artificial device, even if it feels “normal”. As with any artificial device, there is a risk of mechanical failure. Therefore, in order to increase the longevity of your knee replacement, I would recommend that you follow these precautions for the rest of your life:
IF POSSIBLE AVOID THE FOLLOWING:
- Being overweight. If you are, make every effort to lose weight. The lighter you are the longer your knee will last. For additional information, please ask me or my office staff.
- Lifting and carrying weights over approximately 30-40 pounds.
- Jumping, running or causing any significant repetitive impact on your knee.
- Walking over four to five miles a day. Wear well-padded shoes with rubber soles and heels. It is preferable to walk on soft terrain rather than hard concrete.
- Stairs: Use a banister.
- Strenuous sports, particularly contact sports. However, you may swim, do water exercises, use a stationary bicycle, treadmill or Nordic track in a slow, gentle fashion. You can play golf using a cart and gentle double tennis, preferably on a soft court. For more information regarding activity following total joint replacement, please ask me or my office staff.
If you develop an infection anywhere in your body, contact your doctor. Infections should be treated adequately and promptly. There is a remote chance of the infection seeding the artificial knee through the blood stream. For the same reason, if dental work, or other surgery is to be performed, we recommend prophylactic antibiotics. Inform your dentist and doctors that you have a total knee replacement.
The periodic examination of your knee replacement is paramount. You should have periodic examinations and X-rays of your joint replacement. I will discuss with you the frequency of such visits based on your age and activity level. The mechanical failure of a knee replacement is initially a silent process. If detected early, through periodic radiographic examinations, several treatments can be instituted before you start having pain and severe loss of bone occurs.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NYHipKnee) for periodic updates on conditions that may affect your joint replacement as well as updates on how to stay healthy and make your implant last longer.
If you move, please contact our office and inform my secretary of your new address and telephone number in case we need to contact you in the future.