Physical Therapy

• Don't skimp! Physical therapy is the most important thing you can do to recover from total knee replacement surgery. Do not think you can do it at home. Do not settle for anything less than the best physical therapist you can afford. Look for a therapist who is an expert in total knee replacement rehabilitation. With his or her help, you can regain full function of your knee. Your physical therapist should give you exercises aimed at healing, improving and strengthening both your new and old knees. Before surgery, talk to your surgeon to set up physical therapy. You will begin within 24 hours of waking from your surgery.
  
  

Weight

• For every pound of weight you lose, you'll take 10 pounds of pressure off your knee. To lose weight, change your lifestyle. Eat foods that are rich in calcium and minerals such as spinach and broccoli. Eat less. Avoid fast foods. Weight loss has tremendous ramifications for your new and old knees. By taking better care of your body, and taking some of the stress off your new joint, you will make a faster recovery.
  
  

Pain Management

• One of the trickiest parts to recovering from a total knee replacement surgery is proper pain management. You do not want to be in undue pain. Yet it is vital to end dependence on prescription pain drugs as soon as you can. Morphine will be ended at the hospital. Oral narcotics will be sent home with you. The first two weeks, you should take your pain medication on schedule. But during the third week, stretch out the time between doses, and begin the switch to over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are medicines used to relieve inflammation. Check with your doctor about which brand might work best for you. Keep pain medications on hand as you go through the first year after your knee surgery because the pain may increase on some days. But do not rely on prescription medications after the first month. They are addictive. Chances are your pain will lessen naturally after finishing physical therapy.