5 Things Not to Do After Your Knee Orthopaedic Surgery
Knee surgery can help to relieve pain and allow you to get back to your previous active lifestyle. You can now engage in activities that you previously could not and lead a more fulfilling life. However, your knee may not be able to respond and react like before after surgery. Always remember to try things out lightly before commencing full swing. As such, there are things that you should not do after knee orthopedic surgery.
Driving
Driving is not recommended until 6 weeks after surgery. This is due to the difficulty you may have shifting your leg from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal. It will be much worse if you are driving a manual car as you have an additional clutch pedal. Your surgeon will usually give the green light only 6 weeks after your surgery and after he has reviewed your condition.
Work
Your surgeon will recommend and decide the date you can return back to work as you may need to implement some changes to the way you work especially if you need to engage in heavy manual labor which will place additional stress on your knee. If your company is unable to accommodate, it may be time to look for another one which does not involve so much manual labor.
Sporting activities
There are certain risks involved in sporting activities and these could possible damage the knee. As such, some sporting activities will have to be avoided. Activities such as high impact ones should be avoided as they will place high stresses on the knee, causing more complications. Activities which involve high potential risks should also be avoided. Also, activities which risks dislocating joints or causing fractures to the bones such as tennis, squash, skiing and rough contact sports should be avoided at all cost.
Sexual activities
Sexual activity after knee surgery is not advised due to the energy required and the movements associated with it. They are also not advised due to swelling and pain in the knee during the initial stage of recovery.
Bending of knees
Patients who have had a mensical surgery must not attempt to lift heavy weights or loads as this will cause their knees to bend, increasing the chance of the meniscus repair to rupture. Patients who have no choice but the lift will be required to lock their knee brace in full extension.
Knee surgery helps to reduce and relieve knee pain, improve range of motion and overall, it increases your quality of life. Patients will be able to enjoy activities they were not able to in the past. However, it does not allow you to completely participate in every activity.