by Though many famous athletes with knee replacement returned to their sports, you must remember some work restrictions after total knee surgery! Remember a few work restrictions after total knee replacement when you return to work. It will help keep your knee implants from feeling pain. Let’s learn the work restrictions after total knee replacement! The information in this content is based on different medical studies and opinions.
Work restrictions after total knee replacement
Complete recovery from knee replacement surgery can take 3 to 6 months. Around this time, most people return to work. Recovery can take longer depending on individual circumstances such as age, type of operation, body strength, compliance with physical therapy, etc.
But to recover quickly after total knee replacement, you should remind a few work restrictions. Here we discuss the five work that should be restricted after doing your total knee replacement!
Avoid standing for long periods after total knee replacement
Even though you need to rest after surgery, your therapist will encourage you to move around to strengthen your muscles, improve your balance, and keep you from getting dangerous blood clots.
Your physical therapist will show you how to sit without bending your operated knee and how to keep the leg straight and in place. You shouldn’t sit for more than 45 to 60 minutes at a time and use your aids to get up and walk.
Avoid sofas and chairs with backs that are too soft. Instead, choose something with a straight back that is comfortable and supportive.
Don’t sit in a low bath tub
You might fall or not be able to safely get out of the tub. As much as possible, use a walk-in shower and a shower chair. The Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal says about 17% of people have had a total knee replacement fall after surgery. One-third of these falls are caused by slipping. So, prepare in advance for your safety by having someone help you bathe and get dressed.
Don’t kneel very much
Even though research shows that kneeling on an artificial knee after full recovery doesn’t hurt it, most people don’t feel comfortable putting pressure on their new knees. Even though this probably won’t hurt your prosthesis or make it last less long, you may feel unsteady on your knees or have a hard time staying in a kneeling position.
Restrict your running or jumping activities
You put too much stress on your weight-bearing joints when you run, jump, or twist too hard. So, don’t go jogging, play basketball, ski, or do anything else until your knee surgeon says you can. Instead, you should bike, walk, and swim, all great low-impact ways to exercise.
Don’t smoke again
Cigarettes cut off oxygen to the extremities, which is vital for healing. If you stop smoking completely, it will help you to improve your healing process. Talk to your primary care physician about programs to help you stop smoking before knee surgery.
FAQs about work restrictions and total knee replacement
If you have a desk job, you can usually return to work four to six weeks after surgery. You may be told to give yourself more time to heal before returning to a physically demanding job. You may have to wait anywhere from four to twelve weeks before you can lift heavy things or do physically demanding work. It could take much longer if you have other health problems that need to be taken care of. Here we have talked about some common questions about knee replacement and work! Here are those!
Are there permanent restrictions after knee replacement?
Total knee replacement surgery doesn’t put patients in many long-term restrictions. After total knee replacement surgery, you should be able to get back to your life and do a wide range of things, except for high-impact sports, long-distance running, and some work-related tasks.
What to expect one year after total knee replacement?
After one year of surgery for your total knee replacement, you should be able to resume most activities at this point, and your knee should have recovered to its full strength. However, you might continue to see improvements for up to two years following knee replacement surgery.
How long will I be off work after knee replacement surgery?
You may need up to 12 weeks to fully recover from total knee replacement surgery. You could be told to allow yourself more time for rehabilitation before returning to physically demanding work. If you have a desk job, you can return to work four to six weeks after your surgery.
Can I work from home after knee replacement surgery?
First, don’t expect too much from yourself. Most of the time, you won’t be able to go back to work for 4–6 weeks. If you want to work at home, you might wait ten days minimum. After ten days, you can work the light works in your home. But if your work is hard, you should wait more, maybe three months or more.
