For many people, knee or hip surgery offers a fresh start and a chance to move forward free from pain and limited mobility. But the actions you take in the weeks and months after your procedure can have a direct effect on your healing process.
Robert J. Otto, MD, is here to help you make the most of your recovery and achieve the very best outcomes after your surgery. Let’s take a look at three of the most common mistakes people make following surgery, and how to make better choices.
Perhaps the most common mistake people make after joint surgery is trying to rush the recovery process by placing undue strain on their healing joints. Surgery takes a toll on your body, and even minimally invasive procedures still require time to heal.
If you push too hard, too soon, you risk damaging the joint components that were repaired or replaced during your procedure. You can also force your body to rely on other muscles and joints to accommodate pain and stiffness in the treated area, which can lead to even more problems down the road.
Pay attention to the limits set by your care team. Ignore the temptation to rush past the healing process. If you feel compelled to work out or tax your body, ask Dr. Otto for guidance on exercises that won’t interfere with your healing. You might find that chair yoga or resistance band training can safely scratch that itch.
On the flip side, some people are so afraid of pain or damaging their joints that they avoid staying active or completing physical therapy exercises during their recovery. You need to strike the right balance between doing too much and doing too little when it comes to physical exertion.
The best way to stay on track is to pay close attention during your physical therapy sessions and ask questions as they arise. The exercises you perform here and at home are meant to challenge you, but should never be painful.
Staying active keeps your body’s immune system humming along and can speed the healing process.
When it comes to recovering after surgery, nutrition can have a huge impact on how fast and thoroughly you heal. While there’s nothing wrong with indulging in your favorite comfort foods from time to time, choosing healthy options for most meals and snacks will give your body the fuel it needs to recover.
Build your diet around lean proteins, healthy fats, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Avoid highly processed foods and those that contain high levels of saturated fat and sugar. And don’t forget to stay hydrated while you move through recovery, as dehydration forces your body to pick and choose which cells and systems can function at full capacity.
When you’re ready to move forward with your knee or hip surgery, we’re standing by to help you get started. Dr. Otto will sit down with you and discuss your options, as well as cover everything you need to know about a healthy recovery process.
Setting up a visit takes just a few moments. Give us a call during normal business hours or use the simple online booking tool to secure your appointment at one of our locations in Nashville, Murfreesboro, or Cookeville, Tennessee.