{"id":7174,"date":"2024-03-05T17:31:04","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T14:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kayhanturan.com\/uncategorized\/recovery-after-prosthetic-surgery-a-comprehensive-guide\/"},"modified":"2024-05-06T14:17:21","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T11:17:21","slug":"recovery-after-prosthesis-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kayhanturan.com\/en\/blog\/recovery-after-prosthesis-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Recovery After Prosthesis Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The hip and knee joints are joints that are actively used in everyday life. Due to arthritis or trauma, these joints may not be used as actively as before. In this case, prosthetic surgery may be necessary to restore the joints to their former function. Prosthesis surgeries are performed to improve patients’ quality of life and reduce their pain. Patients can then return to their daily lives, work or favorite pastimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosthetic surgery is a permanent treatment. However, patients also have a number of responsibilities for the successful completion of the healing process. The healing process actually starts with preoperative preparations. After surgery, patients should learn what to expect and take precautions accordingly. It is important to remember that recovery is a time-consuming process and that there are different needs at each stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Expectations are one of the most important factors determining patient satisfaction after prosthesis surgery. If the preoperative expectations are not met after surgery, patients may feel that the surgery was unsuccessful. However, the results of prosthesis surgery vary according to the patient’s condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your pre-operative pain, state of health and level of function will affect the outcome of the surgery. For example: If you experience severe pain; if you have obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc.; if you smoke, you may experience more pain after surgery and your level of function may be lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is very important to develop realistic expectations to avoid any disappointment after surgery. When planning your treatment with your doctor, you should discuss the consequences of prosthetic surgery in detail. If you set your expectations realistically, you will be more satisfied with the results. By being aware of what to expect, you can adapt to your new life more easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monitoring Vital Signs:<\/strong> After you come out of surgery, your vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, etc.) and any side effects from the anesthesia (such as vomiting) will be monitored first. Various medications are given. These medicines can include painkillers, blood thinners and antibiotics to prevent infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Physiotherapist Guided First Movement:<\/strong> A few hours after surgery, you can get out of bed with help. Your physiotherapist will accompany you and help you to walk with the help of an orthopedic device such as a walker. This improves your blood circulation and reduces the risk of blood clots. So the rehabilitation process starts immediately after surgery. However, in some cases, patients may not be able to stand up immediately due to other conditions (such as blood pressure). Therefore, she can walk the day after surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Case-specific Rehabilitation Plan:<\/strong> After the surgery, your physiotherapist will give you training on what to do in the hospital and at home. This training includes how to get in and out of bed, how to use orthopedic devices, how to climb stairs after knee replacement surgery and exercises you should do. Your physiotherapist will also provide guidance on how much load you should place on the operated area, the lying, sitting and bending positions after prosthesis surgery. Your accompanying person should also listen carefully to this training. You usually need to start exercises within 24 hours after surgery. Following the exercise plan will help you return to your normal activities faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may recommend using a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion) device after hip replacement surgery or knee replacement surgery. The CPM device helps to gently bend and flatten the operated area. Thus, it is aimed to prevent postoperative complications such as edema and pain, and to increase range of motion and joint functionality. The CPM device also contributes to a faster discharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Within 24 hours after surgery (usually before discharge), use of the CPM device can be started. The CPM device can be applied up to 8 hours a day, excluding sleep and physical therapy. In some cases, it may be necessary to use it at home after discharge. On average, it is continued for 2 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DVT treatment device is a special device designed to increase blood flow and reduce the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), a blood clot in deep veins. This device is recommended for patients who have undergone major surgery, have been in intensive care for a long time or may be immobilized at home.<\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\n Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in veins deep inside the body. In most cases, this clot appears in one of the veins in the lower leg. The veins in the legs have small valves that help the blood to move towards the heart. DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) can damage these valves. In more advanced stages, it can reach the lung and cause pulmonary embolism (lung clot).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DVT treatment device has cuffs that wrap around the legs. These cuffs fill with air and squeeze the legs. This increases blood flow and eliminates the risk of blood clots. The DVT treatment device can be started immediately after surgery and used for 1 week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your hospital stay may vary from 1 to 4 days, depending on the speed of your recovery. However, if you are discharged before reaching a certain stage, it may have a negative impact on your recovery. Therefore, you are expected to meet the following criteria for discharge:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are not yet able to do the above skills, it may not be safe for you to be discharged. This may prolong your hospital stay. Getting the support and care you need for your recovery can lead to a more effective recovery in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first 2 weeks at home after surgery is one of the most important stages. At this stage, it is necessary to pay attention to issues such as care of the surgical wound, personal care, exercise and avoid activities that pose a risk of falling. Apart from these, necessary precautions should be taken to avoid conditions such as infection and blood clots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On average, your stitches are removed 14 days after surgery. This period may be longer depending on your situation. Until your stitches are removed, you should pay attention to a number of issues regarding wound care. If you are not careful, there is a risk of infection. <\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since you will not be able to shower during this period, you should take a sponge bath to keep your body and the area around the wound clean. However, you must not get any liquid on your stitches and wound area. You should renew your dressing and change the bandage as recommended by your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After your stitches are removed, you can take a bath or shower and start walking without an orthopedic device. The first days after surgery can be a bit challenging. However, as the day goes on, you will start to move more freely and do your daily chores more easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Proper and attentive care of your surgical wound during your recovery at home is important to prevent infection. You should follow these general recommendations for the correct care of your surgical wound:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have symptoms such as redness, warmth, discharge, swelling, severe pain that does not go away despite painkillers or odor in the area of your surgical wound, you may have an infection. Always consult your doctor in such cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pain, swelling and bruising after knee or hip replacement surgery are part of the healing process. Patients will notice that these symptoms improve rapidly within the first weeks. Nevertheless, there are things patients can do to manage pain, swelling and bruising. What to do in case of symptoms will be discussed in the following chapters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Normal symptoms that can be seen after surgery are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the goals of knee and hip replacement surgery is to relieve severe pain. However, in the days following surgery, patients may experience more severe pain than before surgery. Severe pain after prosthesis surgery is normal and usually temporary. Nevertheless, appropriate interventions should be made. If these interventions are not carried out, the healing and rehabilitation process may be hampered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many ways to manage pain. Your doctor will advise you on the most appropriate pain control methods for your situation. The following methods can be used to relieve postoperative pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swelling in the leg after prosthesis surgery is a normal condition that can be seen during the healing process. So it should not be a cause for concern. For 6 months after surgery, swelling may continue to decrease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The methods you can apply to reduce swelling are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you develop a new and severe swelling while you are recovering, be sure to tell your doctor. Because this can be a sign of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bruising in the knee or hip area may persist for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Bruising is a discoloration caused by the accumulation of blood under the skin. Your doctor will prescribe blood thinners to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis after surgery. This can increase bruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bruising is a normal part of the healing process and will reduce over time. Keeping the legs elevated can reduce inflammation and bruising. Always consult your doctor if your bruising develops unexpectedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knee and hip replacement surgeries performed with today’s technology are safe. However, as with any surgery, there is a risk of complications in these procedures. Whether there will be complications depends on factors such as your general health, your age and whether you follow your doctor’s recommendations. Throughout your treatment, your doctor will inform you about the risks of complications and guide you to take precautions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a possibility of developing a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis after surgery. While this may seem harmless, if it reaches the lungs or brain it can have serious consequences. Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis usually appear two weeks after surgery. These symptoms usually appear in a specific area of the leg and are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following methods can be used to reduce the risk of blood clots:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If bacteria get into the operated joint, infection occurs. As with any surgical intervention, there is a risk of infection after prosthesis surgery. Although infection is rare, it is a serious complication. Therefore, it is a situation that requires urgent intervention. Symptoms of infection in the wound area are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to follow your doctor’s advice after surgery to reduce the risk of infection. Your doctor will make the following recommendations for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain medications are prescribed to help you manage the post-operative recovery process in the best possible way. When prescribing your medication, your doctor will make a special arrangement for your particular case. The use of medication, together with other methods such as physiotherapy, will enable you to return to physical activities. Medication is used to reduce pain, manage side effects, prevent blood clots and infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your postoperative pain is intense, you may find it difficult to start the rehabilitation process and start moving. This will hamper your healing process. With the painkillers prescribed by your doctor, you may be ready to move more easily and start physical therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The medicines you use after surgery may cause some side effects. According to one study, 55% of patients needed treatment for nausea, vomiting or constipation after surgery. Therefore, you can use anti-nausea or stool softening medicines with your doctor’s approval. You should not take any medicine that your doctor has not prescribed or approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a risk of blood clots forming after knee or hip replacement surgery. A clot that forms in deeper blood vessels is called deep vein thrombosis. In some cases, the blood clot can break off and travel around the body. If it reaches the lungs, it can cause pulmonary embolism (lung clot), and if it reaches the brain, it can cause a stroke. Blood thinners and compression devices are prescribed to prevent this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After surgery, an infection may develop in the prosthetic joint area due to other infections in the body or for an unknown reason. Usually the patient’s immune system eliminates harmful bacteria that can cause infection. However, in people with a weak immune system, the infection may involve the prosthesis site. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic medication before and after surgery to prevent infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with diabetes, obesity, circulatory problems and conditions that affect the immune system, such as HIV, are at higher risk of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you notice signs of infection at the surgical site, you should contact your doctor immediately. Infections detected early can usually be treated quickly.<\/ins><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting a physical therapy and exercise program after prosthesis surgery is important to manage your recovery effectively. You can ensure that your knee\/hip joint gains strength, movement and flexibility with a customized program. Therefore, you should definitely participate in a physical therapy and exercise program to meet your expectations after surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rehabilitation process starts from the moment you wake up after surgery. The exercises you start in the hospital will continue at home after discharge. Studies have shown that starting rehabilitation within the first 24 hours after prosthesis surgery contributes to pain control and early recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may have difficulty moving your knee\/hip after surgery. For this reason, you may be avoiding physiotherapy treatments or exercises. If you take the painkillers recommended by your doctor, you will be able to continue your program more easily. You can also motivate yourself by thinking about the benefits of exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The benefits of a physical therapy and exercise program are listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is normal to feel some soreness or swelling after exercises. Stopping exercise because of symptoms that are considered normal can slow down your recovery. To manage post-exercise pain, it may help to use recommended medication or apply ice. However, if you find the exercises too difficult, stop and consult your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The movements you should avoid after hip and knee replacement surgery may vary. <\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\n You should be careful in the following situations after knee<\/strong> replacement surgery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The conditions that you should pay attention to in the process after hip<\/strong> replacement surgery are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to make appropriate preparations before surgery and to organize your bathroom for the postoperative period. The bathroom should be made safe as it is an area where there is a high risk of falls. Tools such as grab bars or bath seats can be used for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not recommended to take a bath after the operation until the stitches are removed. Because the surgical wound should not come into contact with any liquid until it heals. However, on average, you can take a bath 2 weeks after surgery (when the stitches are removed). This period may vary according to each patient’s condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can enter and exit the bathroom in different ways depending on the bathroom layout in your home. If you have a bathtub<\/strong> at home, you can take a bath by following the instructions below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a shower cabin<\/strong> in your home, you can take a bath by following the steps below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When getting dressed after prosthesis surgery, you should pay attention to the following points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There may be differences in the optimal and safe sleeping position after hip and knee replacement surgery. <\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations for lying position after hip<\/strong> replacement surgery are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The safest sleeping position recommendations after knee<\/strong> replacement surgery are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on how much physical activity your job involves and how your recovery progresses, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to return to work. You should consult your doctor about the safest date to return to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should follow the exercise program created by your physiotherapist for at least 2 months. In some cases, an exercise bike is also recommended to increase your knee\/hip flexibility and strengthen your muscles. 3-6 months after your surgery, you can be more active in daily activities. You can return to sports that do not put too much strain on your knees or hips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another important issue to be aware of when returning to sports is the risk of falling. If you have an accident or fall during sports, your recovery can be negatively affected. Therefore, you should avoid sports involving close contact and take measures to eliminate the risk of falling.<\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\n You should pay attention to the following points about returning to your sporting life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should discuss in detail with your doctor which sports will be suitable for you after prosthesis surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you are not taking opioid pain medication and your strength and reflexes are better, it is safe to drive. Everyone develops safe conditions for driving at a different time. On average, however, you can drive 4 to 6 weeks after knee replacement surgery. After hip replacement surgery, you can drive a car after a few weeks or a month. You should always consult your doctor to determine the most appropriate driving date after surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating a balanced and healthy diet ensures that your body gets all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs during the healing process. Our bodies absorb vitamins and minerals from food more efficiently than from supplements. This is why nutrients taken directly from natural foods are important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should definitely consult your doctor and dietitian about the most appropriate diet after surgery. Depending on your condition, they may recommend a diet that you must follow. The following headings contain general nutrition recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After surgery, you will have anesthesia and many medicines in your body. These medicines tend to cause dehydration (dehydration). Therefore, fluid replacement after knee or hip replacement surgery is vital. The more water you drink, the faster you can flush the medicines out of your body. Drinking plenty of water also helps prevent constipation, a common side effect of anesthesia and some painkillers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Electrolytes are minerals that conduct an electric charge when combined with water. They help regulate our body’s most basic functions (such as PH balance, muscle contraction and hydration). Drinking too much water without getting enough electrolytes or fluid changes caused by anesthesia during surgery can disrupt the electrolyte balance. To maintain electrolyte balance, you can consume electrolyte-rich foods containing calcium, sodium, chloride, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chewing gum can be preferred to increase gastrointestinal motility and facilitate digestion. It may also be recommended to prevent constipation, which is a common side effect of certain medications after anesthesia and surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drinking alcohol causes your body to become dehydrated (dehydration). It also interacts negatively with some medications used after surgery. After stopping the medication, you can drink alcohol in moderation, if your doctor agrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Iron-rich foods can be useful to compensate for blood loss during surgery. Because iron-rich foods contribute to the formation of blood stores. These include red meat, green leafy vegetables (such as spinach and kale), beans and dried fruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is very effective to pay attention to nutrition to prevent inflammation in the operated area. Foods high in antioxidants (generally dark red in color) such as pomegranates, red cherries and beets help prevent inflammation. In addition, a typical “Mediterranean diet” of fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and olive oil is one of the most favorable anti-inflammatory diets. Processed sugar should be avoided. Because processed sugar increases inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Solid food must be consumed before taking medication. Because the food taken before the medicine protects the stomach and helps prevent nausea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need treatment for your teeth, you should complete the procedures at least six weeks before the denture surgery. You should not have any dental treatment until three months after your surgery. This is because bacteria can enter your bloodstream if you have dental treatment within the time limits mentioned. This can lead to infection of the joint prosthesis. If you are having dental treatment after having denture surgery, your doctor may recommend antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may not need to use orthopedic supports for walking 3-6 weeks after surgery. However, if you are using it (e.g. a cane) you can hold it on the opposite side of your new knee or hip. So you can improve your gait and rebalance your weight. You can also resume light activities. For example, if you have stopped taking painkillers, your doctor may allow you to drive again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you stick to your physical therapy program, you may notice a big improvement in your movement and strength. The swelling and inflammation are almost gone. At this stage, your physical therapy exercises will continue to improve your range of motion and increase your strength. However, physical therapy is usually completed 2 months after surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you are recovering, you should walk frequently every day and avoid sitting for long periods of time. Being mobile will reduce your pain and prevent stiffness in the surgical area. During this process, your pain will be further reduced and your mobility will improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can start doing many of your normal activities again. However, it takes up to 12 months to fully recover. One year after surgery, most patients will not feel any pain. However, some patients may continue to experience mild pain or discomfort after one year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The experience of the doctor, the technology and the method used are of great importance for a successful knee or hip replacement surgery. However, one of the people with the greatest responsibility for successful surgery is the patient. If patients follow the recommendations made both before and after surgery, they are very unlikely to have problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our article, we touched on many topics such as wound care, exercises, medication, nutrition and daily life during the recovery period after surgery. You can contact us<\/a> for any questions you are curious about and cannot find the answer. You can send your questions via our social media accounts or our website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The hip and knee joints are joints that are actively used in everyday life. Due to arthritis or trauma, these joints may not be used as actively as before. In this case, prosthetic surgery may be necessary to restore the joints to their former function. Prosthesis surgeries are performed to improve patients’ quality of life …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7182,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[232],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"\nExpectations from Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First 24 Hours After Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CPM Device<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
DVT Treatment Device<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hospital Discharge Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First 2 weeks at home after surgery<\/ins><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wound Care After Prosthesis Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Normal Postoperative Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Postoperative Pain Control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Postoperative Swelling Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bruising Management After Prosthetic Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Problems that can be seen after surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blood Clot or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Infection After Prosthesis Surgery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Postoperative Medication Use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reducing Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Managing Side Effects of Medicines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Blood Thinners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Preventing Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Physical Therapy and Exercise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Everyday Life After Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Movements to Avoid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bathing After Prosthetic Surgery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dressing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sleep Position<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Back to Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Back to Sport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Driving a Car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nutrition After Prosthesis Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Drinking Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Electrolytes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chewing Gum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Alcohol Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Foods Rich in Iron<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Anti-Inflammatory Diet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Eating to Take Medicine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Postoperative Dental Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
After Surgery Week 2 and 3rd Month Interval<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
After Surgery 3. Moon and 1. Between Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n