What Exercises (or Movements) to Avoid After a Knee Replacement
Our knee joints take a lot of pounding throughout our lives, which can eventually lead to osteoarthritis and other knee injuries.
Knee replacement surgery (knee arthroplasty) is designed to restore knee function and reduce pain by replacing your knee joint with an artificial one.
Strengthening and stretching muscles is an important part of recovery following knee replacement surgery. However, some types of movements and exercises may do more harm than good.
Keep reading to learn what types of movements should be avoided after knee replacement surgery.
Exercises and movements to avoid after a knee replacement
The goal of knee replacement surgery is to allow you to return to everyday activities without pain. Even though it’s tempting to return to a usual routine as quickly as possible, there are some exercises and movements you should avoid during recovery.
. Activities with a high risk of falling
After a total knee replacement, loss of strength, range of motion, and balance lead to an increased risk of falling. A fall can damage the prosthesis or interfere with the healing process.
A 2018 study found that 17.2 percent of a group of 134 people who had undergone a knee replacement fell at least once within 6 months of their operation. Roughly two-thirds of these falls occurred when walking.
Some lifestyle modifications to reduce your risk of falling include:
. using the handrail when going up and down the stairs
. using a rubber mat or shower chair when showering
. sitting down when putting on shorts or pants
. keeping the floor clear of stray toys, slippery rugs, and other objects that pose a tripping hazard
. avoiding slippery terrains like mud, ice, or wet grass
. Prolonged sitting
Prolonged periods of sitting after knee replacement surgery can increase the risk of developing a blood clot, especially in the first 2 weeks after surgery. Long periods of sitting can also hamper the drainage of fluid in the lower leg and make swelling worse.
In the first 7 to 10 days after a knee replacement, it is advisable not to sit for more than 45 to 60 minutes at a time. If prolonged sitting is necessary, propping the leg up on a chair or something similar can help minimize swelling.
. Too much weight-bearing shortly after surgery
After a knee replacement, most people use a walker, crutches, or other assistive devices.
Most surgeons encourage some early weight-bearing and getting out of bed and moving as soon as possible after surgery. For the first several days, this will require the assistance of a nurse or physical therapist.
You should avoid stairs until you’re cleared to do so by your surgeon or physical therapist. When going up the stairs, lead with the leg that did not have surgery and when going down, step first with the leg that did have surgery. This is easy to remember as “the good go up, the bad go down.”
. Running and jumping
The amount of force exerted on a knee joint when running is about three times higher than when walking. Jumping exposes the knee to even higher forces.
Performing activities that involve running and jumping while still recovering from a knee replacement may delay healing or cause damage to the prosthesis. Surgeons generally strongly discourage participating in high-impact activities even once fully healed.
. Sports with high impact or quickly changing directions
While recovering from knee replacement surgery, avoid participating in contact sports or sports that may lead to a sudden twisting or jerking of the knee. Some examples include:
. soccer
. football
. rugby
skiing
. basketball
. hockey
. gymnastics
Low-impact sports like cycling, golf, and swimming are great options for staying active after knee replacement surgery.
. Kneeling
About 60 to 80 percent of people report difficulty kneeling or an inability to kneel after a total knee replacement.
There is currently no clinical evidence to suggest kneeling shortens the life of the prosthesis, but if you’re uncomfortable, you should avoid kneeling.
What exercises are beneficial for rehabbing a knee replacement?
The majority of knee replacement rehabilitative programs aim to increase range of motion and strengthen the quadriceps muscles. It’s important to work with your orthopedic surgeon after surgery to build the best program possible.
Here are some examples of exercises that surgeons recommend at different stages of recovery.
Immediately after surgery
Before leaving the hospital, simple exercises are encouraged to help regain mobility in the knee. For example:
. Knee straightening. With a small rolled towel placed under the heel, contract the muscles above the knee and try to straighten the knee completely. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
. Bed-supported knee bends. While lying in bed, slide the sole of the foot along the surface of the bed towards the buttocks. Once reaching the maximum amount of knee bend, hold the position for 5 to 10 seconds and then straighten the leg again.
Along with these exercises, a physical therapist will often help you learn how to use and walk with an assistive device.
3 months after surgery
By 3 months after surgery, most people are able to return to most daily activities as well as low-intensity exercise such as:
. light weightlifting
. swimming
. low-impact dancing
. golfing
6 months after surgery
By 6 months after surgery, most people can start to perform more intense activities such as doubles tennis, heavier weightlifting, and more strenuous forms of dancing. For specific questions about a particular sport or activity, it’s always best to ask your surgeon.
Dangers of doing certain exercises too soon
Performing movements or exercises that are too intense can increase the chances of loosening or fracturing the bones around the implant.
Pushing too much can also lead to increased pain and swelling around the knee, slowing down the rehabilitation process and making it more difficult to exercise.
How to know if you have overdone it
Symptoms of pushing too hard during the recovery program might include:
. increased pain
. swelling of the knee or lower leg
. warmth around your knee
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to back off of the activity and ice your knee for 15 to 20 minutes.
If the symptom persists, call your healthcare provider.
Takeaway
It’s important to exercise after knee replacement surgery, but there are certain movements and activities that you should avoid.
Activities with a high risk of falling and activities that risk twisting the knee are amongst the most dangerous.
If you’re unsure whether a certain activity is safe, it’s always best to ask your healthcare provider. When in doubt, it’s better to do less than more.
Source:
. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-not-to-do-after-knee-replacement