Getting your knee replaced in an orthopedic hospital in Thane is your first step toward a pain-free life. While the surgery offers hope to people with restricted movements and debilitating pain due to arthritis or other causes, the relief doesn’t come immediately or overnight. Everyone recovers at their own unique pace.
Some feel better within a few weeks of the surgery, while others may take longer to heal completely. In this post, we’ll take a look at some exercises that are considered unsafe after knee replacement.
Exercises to Avoid after Knee Replacement
It’s important to be physically active, but do not overexert yourself. You should know which exercises are safe and which must be avoided after knee replacement.
1. Running or Jogging
Running and jogging involve repeated pounding. They put excessive strain on your knee joint, which isn’t good for your new implant. This can expose your implant to a strong force, which is 3-4 times your body weight. A fall, inury, or twist can speed up wear on the implant and increase the risk of a revision surgery. It’s better to stick to walking and light-impact activities.
2. Twisting Movements
Any sports or activities that involve sudden change of direction or twisting of the knee joint after surgery are a big no. Avoid balancing activities, where you stand on the operated leg on an uneven surface.
Your safest bet is simple, slow, controlled activities. Remember, after knee replacement surgery in Thane, it takes time for your muscle strength and balance to recover. Twisting movements too early can increase the risk of falls and injuries.
3. Frequent Stair Climbing
Your physician may have advised you to use stairs as little as possible. In fact, many patients are advised to move downstairs to avoid frequent stair climbing or navigating deep steps.
Like running, climbing stairs puts 2-3 times more pressure on your knee joints than walking on a flat surface. It’s also linked to increased pain and swelling, which eventually slows your recovery.
4. Squats
It’s best to avoid squatting altogether for the first few days after surgery. Later, you can practice half-squats where you bend to a comfortable position, only if your therapist says it’s safe.
Deep squats, where you bend beyond 90 degrees, such that your hips are below your knees, are not safe. Not only does it put excessive stress on your prosthetic components, but deep squats also require proper muscle control and strength, which you may not yet possess.
5. Lunges
You might be really good at lunges, but post-knee-replacement-surgery is not the best time to practice them. Lunges require a lot of strength. They put excessive pressure on the knee that is bent. Sometimes, you might do it with twisting and turning.
Like squats, you may need to bend your knee beyond 90 degrees, which means excessive strain on the operated leg and a higher risk of faster wear and tear of the implant. Even if you manage to pull them off, the pain, discomfort, and swelling around the affected joint might get worse due to the pressure.
Conclusion
You don’t have to give up on these exercises. However, starting them soon after surgery may not be the best decision either. Wait until you feel normal and your muscle strength and control have returned before engaging in high-impact exercises.
