Para Tratar Dolor
1. Knee Precautions
You should follow these instructions until your surgeon tells you otherwise.
When you are seated:
1. Change the position of your knee every 30-45 minutes.
It will reduce numbness.
2. Alternate between resting with your leg completely bent and completely straight.
When you are lying down:
1. Keep a cushion between your knees when you are lying on your side for comfort.
2. When you are lying on your back:
• Place a rolled towel underneath your heel (see image).
• The towel should elevate your heel and calf so that they don’t touch the bed.
• This way you are able to keep the operative knee stretched out straight.
2. Do not lie with a cushion under your operative knee when you are lying on your back.
¡Recuerde!
• Place a folded towel under your heel while you are lying on your back.
• Do NOT lie on your back with anything underneath your operative knee.
Picture is © 1995-2006 BioEx Systems, I
2 2
Physical Activity Guide – Total Knee Replacement
2. Initial Activities after the Surgery
After the surgery while you are in the hospital, start the following activities as soon as you can:
In bed
Take large breaths of air and then cough.
o Do this 2 or 3 times each hour when you are in the hospital bed.
Rest with the bed completely flat.
o Do this for 15 or 20 minutes several times per day.
---
Walking after the Surgery
You will walk when you feel ready to get out of bed.
• You should use a walker or crutches.
You will have the help of a therapist.
Instructions to walk with a Walker:
1. Grab the walker with both hands.
2. To begin to walk, place the Walker slightly in front of yourself.
3. Advance the operative leg first, supporting yourself on your hands.
4. Then advance the non-operative leg.
Instructions to walk with crutches:
1. Place the tips of the crutches approximately 15cm in front of yourself and to the side.
2. Advance the operative leg first.
3. Then advance the non-operative leg.
Instructions to walk with a cane:
1. Place the cane in the hand opposite from your operative leg.
2. The cane goes our first with the operative leg.
3. Then goes the non-operative leg.
4. Move one foot after the other like a normal gait.
Remember!
Always follow your weightbearing precautions.
Do not turn or twist on your operative leg.
Turn by lifting your foot and making small steps.
A Crutch
Imagen de www.shutterstock.com
What are “weightbearing precautions?”
The precautions determine how much weight you are able to put on your operative leg.
Your therapist will explain it to you.
Picture is © 1995-2006 BioEx Systems, I
A Walker
Imagen de www.shutterstock.com
A Cane
3 3
Physical Activity Guide – Total Knee Replacement
3. Instructions for activities in the house
Stairs
To climb:
Grab the railing with one hand and the crutch with the other.
Climb one step first with the non-operative leg.
Then, with the operated leg, and last, with the crutch.
Say: “Old leg, new leg, crutch.
To descend:
Grab the railing with one hand and the crutch with the other.
Place the crutch on the stair below.
Then lower the operated leg and lastly the non-operative leg.
Say: “Crutch, new leg, old leg.”
*If there is no railing:
• Place one crutch under each arm.
• Follow the same sequence of steps.
• It is always safer to use a railing if there is one.
The treatment of pain
It is very important to do your physical therapy exercises.
Sometimes, the exercises can cause pain or swelling.
To reduce pain and swelling:
Rest.
Place ice on your operated joint.
(Place a towel between the ice and your skin.)
Elevate the operated leg.
Medication for pain:
You have two medications to treat pain.
These are the instructions:
• Take 1 Tylenol 325mg every 4-6 hours as needed to treat mild to moderate pain.
• Take 1 Tramadol 50mg every 6 hours to treat moderate to severe pain.
Important:
• During the first days at home it is common to notice swelling of the lower part of your leg.
• Do not worry unless the swelling does not decrease in the
morning.
• Make sure you monitor the skin and incision.
4 4
Physical Activity Guide – Total Knee Replacement
4. Physical Therapy Guide
Ankle kicks
1. Lie on your back.
2. Place a cushion under your operative leg. See image.
3. Move your foot up and down, using your ankle.
Hip and Glute Squeezes
1. Lie on your back with your legs straight.
2. Tighten your glutes (indicated by the arrow).
3. Hold the exercise for 5 seconds.
Thigh Squeezes of the Operative Leg
1. Place a folded towel underneath your heel. See image.
2. Tighten the muscles on the front of your thigh.
3. Try to push the back part of your knee downwards.
4. Hold the exercise for 5 seconds.
Heel Slide
1. Lie on your back with straight legs.
2. Slide your heel upwards toward your gluteus muscles.
3. Return to the initial position.
2.
1.
4.
• Do these 8 exercises every day.
• Begin these exercises when you arrive at your house.
• They will improve your strength and function after the surgery.
• Do not stop simply because you feel better. You should continue until the doctor tells you otherwise.
Do each exercise 10 times, 3 times per day.
3.
All pictures are © 1995-2006 BioEx Systems, Inc.