• What is knee surgery?
• How can preparing for knee surgery help your recovery process?
• What are the best tips for knee surgery recovery?
• How can you care for someone who had knee surgery?

Louisville Hip & Knee Institute performs state-of-the-art knee procedures to help patients regain their mobility and enjoy their lives again. 

After your procedure, here are some knee surgery recovery tips to help you, and your caregivers, as you regain your motion and your freedom.

The knee is one of the most complex joints in the human body, so surgery to repair it is fairly common. 

Some of the most common knee surgeries we perform include:

• Meniscectomy repairs the meniscus cartilage, which serves as an important shock absorber between the leg bones and the knee joint
• Knee replacement can be partial or total, and the surgery replaces all or part of the joint with artificial parts
• Tendon repair encompasses the patellar or quadriceps tendons, which cross the knee joint and provide stability for its motion

Knee repair surgery can be performed via minimally invasive or traditional open surgery techniques. In minimally invasive knee surgery, your surgeon makes small incisions and uses a guided camera to perform the surgery. In traditional open surgery, the doctor makes one larger incision, resulting in an extended recovery.

Preparing for your knee surgery can help you during the recovery process. If you or a loved one are getting ready for knee surgery, the first suggestion is to get ready by talking with your orthopaedic surgeon. You should feel comfortable that all of your questions are answered about the surgery and recovery process. 

Also, consider looking closely at where you will be recovering and asking yourself these questions: 

• Is your home ready for your return? 
• Who will help you get around your home if you need help? 
• Is your floor space cleared of rugs and obstacles that could cause a trip or fall?
• What about the shower? 
• Do you have a shower seat and a hand-held faucet or shower wand? 

Finally, find out from your doctor or physical therapist what pre-surgery exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles around the knee. Proactively working to strengthen this area, unless the knee is too damaged to do so, will improve your recovery time.

The first few weeks right after knee surgery will be challenging. Make sure you follow the instructions of your doctor and physical therapist to the letter. 

Rehabilitation from any type of knee surgery happens almost immediately after surgery. Keeping the patient mobile improves blood flow and speeds healing. In almost all knee surgery cases, you’ll be encouraged to get moving with the aid of an assisted device such as crutches or a walker. 

With that said, you will want to minimize the amount of time you’re on your feet as too much movement too early can cause more harm than good. Make sure to wear your knee brace and keep your knee as straight as possible to give the area plenty of time to heal. The knee brace or the bandages on your leg are important stabilizers that will help with recovery.

During this time, your caregiver and your physical therapist will be your two best friends. Your physical therapist works closely with your orthopaedic surgeon to develop a gradual exercise plan to strengthen the joint and regain your mobility. This may  include:

• Bending and extending the joint while you’re lying or seated
• Leg presses with a resistance band
• Stairs
• Stationary biking
• Swimming
• Walking

Be sure to follow the approved exercise your therapist recommends; overdoing it after any kind of knee surgery may be tempting, but resist the urge. 

During the healing process, having someone to lean on during recovery from knee surgery can help when you have challenging days. They can help you keep a positive attitude and keep moving forward. 

This next section will help the caregivers of a knee surgery patient make sure their loved one gets back to health soon.

Caring for someone who is undergoing knee surgery should start at home before the procedure even occurs. You, and your “patient”, should set up a first-floor recovery area near a restroom, if possible. Set up the couch or bed with all the supplies you’ll need such as pillows to elevate the knee, a TV or computer, writing materials, or anything else that will make the area comfortable. Remove any items that could cause a fall and equip your kitchen with good healthy food to aid the healing process. 

After surgery, expect to help with wound care and medication dispensing. The recovering patient will not be able to stand for long periods, so preparing meals will be incredibly helpful. You (and your patient) will need to monitor the wound for inflammation, and you may need to help with bandage changes. The doctor’s team will inform you of what you need to know to help during this process. 

Keep in mind that recovering from knee surgery will limit mobility for a few weeks, which means your loved one won’t be able to do common household chores like dishes or running a vacuum. You can help, too, by picking up medications, running errands, or handling dog walking or the laundry. A person recovering from knee surgery typically can’t drive for a few weeks, so give some thought to common tasks that require it, like picking up the kids as well.

The Louisville Hip & Knee Institute provides a supportive environment for knee surgery patients—and their caregivers—long after the procedure is over. Our team works to ensure full recovery of our patients and can make sure you have a very positive, successful surgical experience.