Total knee replacement (TKR) - a guide to
Total Knee replacement (TKR) post operative advice and exercises summary:
Total knee replacement or TKR is a common procedure for degenerative knee pain. While there are a long list of options to delay and prevent having this surgery once you have had a TKR it is important to focus on quickly restoring range of motion and strength for the best long term outcome. A tip to control pain is to stay consistent with your pain medication as advised by your specialist for at least the first ten days. This gives your body the best chance to recover and prevents uncontrolled pain and limitation as a secondary side effect. Otherwise, rest, ice, compression and elevation will help manage the swelling effectively and decrease your pain. Your physio will create an individualised program which will help build your strength and increase your range, all whilst managing your pain levels. Exercises are simple and usually able to be performed at home. See the example of a program recently created for a patient who had undergone a total knee replacement.