Tips to Prevent Complications After Joint Reconstruction Surgery
Joint pain significantly affects your quality of life as you find it difficult to complete tasks such as household chores, leisure activities, and physical exercise. Joint reconstruction helps with joint pain and related issues such as muscle stiffness and swelling, and limited motion.
After surgery, you can eventually return to your normal life. Below are some tips to prevent complications after reconstruction surgery.
Prepare for Recovery, Even Before Surgery
It is impossible to prepare for all the complications that could arise after surgery. However, sufficient preparation could help you reduce and address these complications as you recover.
Your orthopedic surgeon assesses your health records and history before the surgery to find out about underlying issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The surgeon must understand your medical history because some of the conditions, such as diabetes, could put you at risk of surgery complications.
Let your doctor know about any conditions you think would be important so they can control the underlying conditions and prevent post-surgery complications where possible.
Listen to the Surgeon’s Instructions on Incision Care
After your surgery, the incision is covered with a dressing. The nurse or surgeon usually explains how to care for this wound and how and when you should handle the dressing. Ensure you understand everything the nurse/surgeon says and know who to contact when you need help.
Some signs to look out for include:
- A persistent fever of more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit increased drainage, and redness of the wound
- Increased pain during activity and rest
- Ensure to look at the hospital discharge instructions that are issued by the hospital, as the hospital includes pertinent information here.
Use Assistive Care Devices
Canes, walkers, and crutches are all assistive devices that can help you maintain balance post-surgery. The surgeon will give you relevant instructions on how long to use your walker, cane, or walker. You will also get information on how to work with a physical therapist to reduce your chances of accidents such as falls.
By the time you go for the first post-operation visit to the surgeon, you will likely have made significant improvement and may be using a cane instead of a walker or crutches.
Stick To the Rehab Plan
A rehabilitation plan is crucial to your recovery after joint reconstruction. The focus is on pain alleviation, strength restoration, and function optimization.
A rehabilitation plan also helps with complications such as blood clots, joint stiffness, and swelling. Therefore, the occupational or physical therapist will work hand in hand with you to ensure you follow a plan that incorporates pain management and a series of physical therapy exercises. The program helps you get back to your daily activities faster, so you should follow it to the end.
Eat a Healthy Diet
While thoughts of eating foods such as cake, donuts, and candy as comfort foods post-surgery may excite you, these foods are certainly an unhealthy choice if you want to recover quickly. You need a balanced, healthy diet that promotes your recovery.
For instance, you should drink a lot of water post-surgery as your body contains anesthesia and other medications that may cause dehydration. The more water you drink, the more anesthesia is flushed out of your system. Furthermore, water reduces the risk of constipation, which is a side effect of some pain medications and anesthesia.
You should keep in mind the electrolyte balance of the body. Taking too much water can throw off your electrolyte balance. However, Pedialyte can help balance your hydration.
You can also invest in an anti-inflammatory diet to help reduce inflammation. You can invest in anti-oxidant-rich foods such as pomegranates, beets, and red cherries or a Mediterranean diet that is perfect for reducing inflammation.
When you have joint issues or orthopedic injuries, you need a reliable medical team by your side. Contact us at Maximum Orthopedics at any of our locations and get the help you need as soon as possible.
- Posted on: Jan 6 2023