What are the points to be considered after knee replacement surgery?

Prosthesis surgery is inevitable in cases where the patient feels unbearable pain due to knee arthritis and has difficulty in walking, going up and down stairs, and continuing his daily life. Knee prosthesis surgery, which consists of replacing the worn out knee joint with an artificial joint, allows the patient to get rid of the pain he suffers and make his life more comfortable.

Patients with knee prosthesis stay in the hospital for an average of 3-4 days after surgery. In this process;

• No patient needs care. The patient will be able to go to the toilet and walk around within 2-3 days after the surgery.
• In the first 3 days, the patient is checked and monitored by the specialist physician. During these checks, it is observed that the patient walks a few steps with the physiotherapist on the first day, becomes a little more active on the second day, and is able to both walk and climb stairs on the third day.
• On the following day, the patient is discharged home on foot.
• The first check is performed on the 15th day. In this control, wound control and care is performed. Since subcutaneous stitching is usually done, there is no need to remove stitches for wound care. The compression socks worn after the surgery are removed. The patient can then start taking a bath.
• The blood thinning medication given when leaving the hospital must be used for 1 month.
• The second control is performed at the 6th week. It takes 6 weeks for the tissues intervened or repaired during surgery to heal.
• While there are no general restrictions on patients, they are asked to move more controlled and not to jump from heights during the first 6 weeks.
• After the 6th week, patients completely return to their routine and normal lives.

Regularly completing the physical therapy and exercise program prescribed by the specialist physician after the surgery is important for a healthy recovery process.