If you're active, knee surgery may seem like a setback, but with proper physical therapy and rehabilitation, you'll be as good as new after knee surgery and able to exercise normally. The question is: When?
In Roswell, New Mexico, Dr. Omar Osmani and the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico team provide various orthopedic treatments, including knee replacements and arthroscopic surgery. Here, he explains the general timeline for returning to your regular workouts after knee surgery.
Yes, you can exercise during recovery — in fact, you must! Exercising after knee surgery is an integral part of the recovery process. It prevents blood clots, increases circulation, and restores the joint's strength, flexibility, and mobility.
We suggest beginning light exercise with the help of a physical therapist as soon as possible after knee surgery.
In the first few days to weeks after knee surgery, our team helps you through the following exercises to speed up the recovery:
Walking is another integral part of returning to normal activities as recovery progresses. You may need to use an assistive device like a walker to help you get around until you regain strength in your knee.
Knowing what you can and can't do after knee surgery to avoid reinjuring the joint is essential. Dr. Osmani gives clear instructions before and after surgery to ensure your knee heals properly.
After knee surgery, including total or partial joint replacements and ACL or meniscus repairs, high-impact exercises like jumping and running and impact sports like football or basketball are off-limits.
These exercises put excess stress on the knee joint, which can deteriorate the knee replacement or cause reinjury to the bones, ligaments, or tendons.
Everyone returns to regular exercise at different rates after knee surgery. We can’t give you the exact date, but we can tell you how to arrive at that date faster. Following Dr. Osmani’s recommendations, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding the temptation to push yourself too hard or too fast are the keys to a speedy recovery.
While a quick arthroscopic procedure has a longer recovery time than a total knee replacement, and your overall health and fitness play roles, you can generally expect to return to regular exercises around three months after knee surgery. You can exercise sooner with low-impact activities like swimming or cycling, depending on your progress.
Start slowly as you begin a regular exercise routine after knee surgery. Continue with the physical therapy exercises we prescribe to strengthen the joint while slowly adding low-impact exercises and strength training.
Call our Roswell, New Mexico office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Osmani to discuss exercising after knee surgery, or you may request an appointment on our website.
