Your rehabilitation after knee or hip replacement surgery is crucial to ensure mobility, quality of life and long-term success.
Optimal training BEFORE the operation
It is advisable to carry out a training program before the operation in order to optimally prepare for the procedure. In particular, walking and climbing stairs with walking sticks should be practiced.
In cooperation with the physiotherapy department at Salem Hospital, we have put together a training program for you that you can take advantage of before the operation. You will be shown exercises for targeted muscle building as well as behavioral patterns for after the operation. We will be happy to issue you with a prescription for this and you can register for our Optimal Recovery Program yourself.
Experience has shown that intensive strength training is otherwise not possible or sensible before the operation, as this usually causes pain. Otherwise, you can work on your condition and general fitness on an exercise bike without too much strain.
Optimal preparation for surgery with your family doctor
The risk of complications for patients is mainly influenced by concomitant diseases. Some of these secondary diagnoses can be influenced. It is important for optimal surgical preparation that:
- Your diabetes is correctly adjusted
- your teeth have no inflammation
- Chronic illnesses are adequately treated (e.g. rheumatism, Parkinson’s disease, cardiac insufficiency, arrhythmia)
- you do not suffer from a blood deficiency (anemia)
- your blood clotting functions normally or you stop taking medication such as Xarelto, Eliquis, Marcoumar or Plavix in good time
It is therefore essential that you contact your family doctor or specialist before an operation for optimal preparation. Ideally, we will receive current blood values 14 days before the operation. It is essential that you have diseased, inflamed teeth treated before the operation. Anemia should be clarified and treated with medication.
Early mobilization and exercise is the key
Mobilization begins immediately after the operation, as soon as you have full feeling in your legs again and your circulation is stable.
The prosthesis is usually fully weight-bearing straight away and you will learn to walk with walking sticks in hospital. You receive physiotherapy once a day and are given exercises for self-therapy, which are also compiled in a brochure. You are encouraged to extend your range of movement every day.
In the first few days, the focus is entirely on gaining independence and mobility. Before leaving the hospital, you will also practise climbing stairs. Extend the radius of action a little every day. If you feel safe, you can also take a few steps without walking sticks.
For the knee joint, full extension training and measures to reduce swelling are particularly important in the first 2-3 weeks. The development of flexion is only actively worked on once the swelling has gone down a little and the pain is well.
Pain and swelling as guidelines for therapy
Take pain and swelling of the joint into consideration during your training. You can push yourself to the pain threshold during training, but do not work too hard in pain. There should not necessarily be increased pain after training.
Swelling of the joint or the entire leg is normal after knee or hip surgery. The swelling usually even increases up to the 7th day after the operation.
If the joint swells too much during training, reduce the load again slightly. Measures such as lymphatic drainage or a compression stocking can help with the swelling. Do not stop the pain medication too early, as this can inhibit rehabilitation.