Showering after knee surgery involves prioritizing safety with aids like shower chairs and grab bars, keeping the incision dry with waterproof dressings or covers (follow surgeon's advice!), using a handheld showerhead, washing with a long-handled scrubber while seated, and carefully maneuvering in and out using your good leg first to avoid falls, always checking with your surgeon on when it's safe to shower and what protection is needed.
A shower chair or a bench also is a good idea. You can find many styles of these devices. With a shower chair, the person can sit in either the shower or the tub while bathing. A bench sits on the edges of the bathtub.
Apply your waterproof bandage as per the instructions. Stretch it out over the wound to ensure it fully covers it. If you are going swimming or showering, keeping your wound dry will be especially important. On top of a waterproof bandage, you can use a plastic/rubbish bag to cover your wound for added protection.
Common mistakes include not fully engaging with their healthcare team, rushing the healing process, or neglecting prescribed exercises and therapies. These oversights can prolong recovery or compromise the success of the surgery.
You will heal between 3-6 weeks and after you have recovered, you can begin sleeping normally again. However, if the position you are used to sleeping in causes pain, avoid it for a few more days until you are completely healed.
Elevate leg
Prop your leg on cushions or pillows so your knee is at least 12 inches above your heart for the first three to five days after surgery. Keep your leg elevated if your knee swells or throbs when you are up and about on crutches.
Proper walking is the best way to help your knee recover. At first, you will walk with a walker or crutches. Your surgeon or therapist will tell you how much weight to put on your leg. Stand comfortably and erect with your weight evenly balanced on your walker or crutches.
One of the most commonly reported issues after knee replacement surgery is residual stiffness or limited range of motion. This underscores the importance of regular rehabilitation exercises.
Swelling of the knee and leg are normal after a total knee replacement. There are some things that you can do, however, to minimize this problem. Ice the knee frequently for the first two to three weeks after surgery. It is particularly helpful to ice after you have done your exercises or been on your feet for a while.
How to relieve nighttime pain after knee replacement
Items to wear after surgery
Wear a cast cover, plastic bag, or even plastic wrap around your cast and wrap a towel or cloth around the top to block and absorb water. If you have a leg splint or cast on, place a stool or shower seat in your shower to sit on and wash using a detachable shower head or hose.
To get into the shower:
🚿 In 17th and 18th century France, daily bathing was rare due to limited access to clean water. Instead, the French relied on perfumes to mask odors, giving rise to the term 'French shower. ' Perhaps that's also why they've mastered the art of perfume making.
5 Bathing Alternatives For Seniors At Home
Three weeks after surgery you should be able to walk around for 10 minutes without crutches or a walker. During the fourth week, you are able to restore your normal walking pattern and walk without an assistive device.
Oxycodone 5 mg: This is an opioid pain medication for severe pain after surgery. Take 1 tablet every 6 hours as needed for severe pain. The goal is to discontinue this medication by 2 weeks after surgery.
Note: Side sleeping is usually an option several weeks into recovery, not immediately after surgery. Always check with your physical therapist or surgeon before trying this position.
Preventing and treating blood clots after hip and knee replacement surgery is an important part of your recovery. Joint replacement patients are at highest risk for developing a DVT two to 10 days after surgery, and remain at risk for approximately three months.
Loose, soft clothes are best to wear after surgery, as they aid in comfort and facilitate easy movement. Most of us opt for things like loose-fitting shirts, sweats, or pajamas that don't put anything against our stitches or bandages.
Knee replacement is a major surgery that requires a lot of planning for both the surgeon and the patient. Our team of orthopaedic surgeons, nurse practitioners and nurse navigators will guide you every step of the process and help coordinate your care before, during and after the surgery.
Walking after knee replacement
Aside from physiotherapy exercises, walking is one of the most important activities you can do following a knee replacement. It increases mobility while strengthening the muscles around the new joint.
By raising your leg, you reduce the gravitational pull on fluids, which helps decrease swelling. This reduction not only alleviates pain but also lessens the risk of complications that could arise from excessive swelling. Keeping the swollen area elevated is a simple yet effective way to speed up your recovery.
Tips for home preparation