Total or partial knee replacement surgery can cause pain for some days after the operation, which can make falling asleep difficult. Try these tips to get a more restful night’s sleep following a total or partial knee replacement.
Take painkillers an hour before you hit the hay
Following discharge, you will be prescribed painkillers to take at regular intervals during the day and night. Make sure to take your final dose around an hour before bedtime to ensure the pain relief coincides with the time at which you’re trying to fall asleep.
Remember, if you have been prescribed painkillers to take throughout the day, the medical team have done so for a reason. Take them on schedule rather than being tempted to take ‘as required’, even if you’re not feeling in too much pain at the time.
It’s also a good idea to have painkillers by your bedside should you wake up in pain. Just remember to check the clock to ensure you’ve left the recommended number of hours between doses.
Apply a cold compress before bedtime
Icing your knee can provide respite from the pain by numbing the area. Place a towel on the affected knee and apply some ice around 30 minutes before you retire.
Consider your sleeping position
Sleeping on your back is usually the best way to rest after a knee replacement operation. Straighten your leg as far as you comfortably can and slightly raise it by positioning a pillow or two beneath your calf to ensure proper blood flow to the affected area.
If you find it more comfortable to sleep on your side, don’t lie on the operative side. Place a cushion between your legs to provide some extra support to the affected knee. You might find that sleeping on your side is more painful to begin with but becomes easier as the knee heals.
Sleeping on your front is a bad idea after knee surgery as it will place pressure on your surgery site.
Only cover up lightly
It’s also a good idea to invest in a lightweight duvet after the operation to reduce the pressure and weight on the affected knee, particularly if you prefer to sleep under the covers.
Do the sleep basics right
We all know the basics of good sleep hygiene and routines, but they’re especially important after surgery. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants after midday, minimise naps during the day, try something relaxing such as reading a book before bed, don’t be tempted to spend time on your phone in bed and keep the bedroom cool and well ventilated. It’s also important to avoid alcohol post-knee surgery as it can mess with the actions of painkillers and impact recovery times.
After six weeks, most people who have undergone partial or full knee reconstruction surgery will usually be experiencing noticeably less pain and be able to be more active. This should be reflected in the length and quality of sleep you’re able to get during the night. If your sleep is still poor, it’s worth getting in touch with the medical team who oversaw your procedure or your own GP.
For more information on total and partial knee surgery, including what to expect before, during after the procedure, get in touch with our specialist team.
After going through the pain of getting a new knee and the process of the replacement surgery itself, it is important that you understand what makes for the best aftercare. Therefore, our experts at Hip Knee Surgeon have compiled this short guide that’ll get you back on your feet in no time.
Listen to your surgeon and physiotherapist:
For the best aftercare, you must heed both your surgeon’s and your physiotherapist’s advice. This comes before everything that you may find on the internet: they are the professionals after all. Although some of the advice may seem tedious, it is given for a reason and you should always take it on board where possible. So, if your medical professional advises you not to do any housework for a couple of weeks, try to avoid this at all costs. It will help speed up recovery time!
Wear suitable shoes:
During your knee replacement therapy, your physiotherapist will advise you to start taking short walks. This will help you to get used to your new knee. We suggest that to make this experience a little easier for you and your new knee, you should invest in a pair of comfortable shoes. Foam trainers may be the best option, as they will improve the process by adding a subtle spring to your step. Not to mention that in general, they are one of the most comfortable types of shoes on the market.
Put some thought into your sleeping pattern:
After the knee replacement surgery, your surgeon or your physiotherapist may give you some tips as to which positions are ideal for sleep. The most common piece of advice given is to make sure that you do not sleep with a pillow under your new knee. Although this may provide some comfort, it may result in a bent knee and is therefore not advantageous in the long run.
For more information surrounding how to look after your new knee after knee replacement surgery, contact our team of experts at Hip Knee Surgeon today.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four that hold the knee together. The rate of ACL tears has been increasing during the past two decades. Additional pressure on the healthcare system, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, means that procedures have become less widely available, with longer wait times.
The demand for ACL tear surgery
In the UK, 90,000 ACL reconstructions are performed every year. Outpatient orthopaedic services have reduced as resources were diverted into treating COVID patients. There is also a continued backlog of ACL reconstruction cases, along with many other procedures, as surgery was put on hold during the pandemic to prevent the virus from spreading.
ACL injuries and sport
ACL injuries are one of the most debilitating there is. It is also true that most sports participants – amateur or professional – will not return to their pre-injury optimum performance levels. An ACL tear also significantly increases the risk of developing arthritis of the knee in later years.
ACL tears are particularly common in people who play sports that involve rapid changes of direction. Football, basketball, netball, rugby, hockey, gymnastics and skiing, for example, tend to have the most ACL tears among participants.
The demand for ACL reconstruction surgery is likely to increase further as athletes everywhere and those involved in solo and team sports return to action after a prolonged hiatus during the pandemic.
Women and ACL injuries
The rate of increase in ACL injuries has been notably marked among women. Numerous studies have demonstrated that females are more prone to ACL tears than males. Recent research revealed that 28% of female soccer players have suffered an ACL injury, with 34% of that number later suffering a second tear.
Treatment options for ACL tears
Rest and rehabilitation are the most common treatment options recommended for an ACL tear. The problem for anyone, and particularly those who play sports, is that the length of time they are sidelined can be lengthy. In many cases, this can be from nine months to a year.
ACL reconstruction surgery involves using a graft to replace the damaged ligament. The procedure is generally recommended for athletes, people aged under 35, those who have torn more than one ligament.
Kumar Orthopaedics is one of the UK’s leading providers of hip and knee surgery. Mr Kumar is a specialist in sports injuries and can be seen at clinics in the North West of England, with waiting times for ACL procedures significantly lower than that of NHS orthopaedic services.
Contact our experienced team to discuss how to progress with treatment for ACL tears to get you back on the field of play as quickly as possible.
People are enjoying active lives at an older age than ever before, so there is no one who would automatically be considered “too old” for total knee replacement surgery. Likewise, nobody would be thought of as “too young” to be suitable.
Having a total knee replacement procedure at the right time for the individual means they can enjoy the maximum benefits for longer as they age.
Most total knee replacements are carried out on people aged 60 to 80. This was typically a common age range in which knee joints “wore out”.
Nowadays, with improvements in health care, surgical techniques and anaesthesia, more people in their 80s and 90s are benefitting from total knee replacement procedures. Also, many more younger adults aged in their 40s and 50s are also undergoing knee surgery in order to continue their active lifestyles.
Am I too old for knee surgery?
If all other factors that are taken into account to determine someone’s suitability for a total knee replacement are favourable, then there is no upper age limit that would preclude an individual from surgery.
Should a clinician conclude that a total knee replacement would benefit a person’s function, mobility, quality of life and reduce pain, then they will be suitable candidates for the operation.
Should I wait until I’m older for knee surgery?
The longer that individuals wait to opt for knee surgery, the greater it will impact their overall health and wellbeing. The increased risks include:
- An increase in the severity of pain.
- A reluctance to walk and to exercise can lead to weight gain.
- Other health issues related to a diminished lifestyle such as depression.
Older patients are also more likely to have multiple co-existing health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes that can affect recovery.
A recent study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that up to 90% of patients with knee osteoarthritis had waited too long to have surgery. Those patients had missed out on the maximum benefits of the procedure.
If you are wondering if you should consider having a total knee replacement, but think you might be too old, or even too young, contact us today to discuss your options.
If you have experienced damage to one part of your knee, you may undertake a partial knee replacement surgery to improve your mobility and reduce pain. Partial knee replacement surgery is a simpler operation than total knee replacement as a small cut is required and less bone is removed. However, this does not mean that the healing process will be easy. It is important that you take the right measures in recovery to ensure a smooth, pain-free recovery and to get your activity levels back to normal. Recovery time will depend on each individual, but here are our top tips for a speedy, hassle-free recovery.
Many patients are able to put weight onto their new knee on the day of surgery. Using your knee to walk or even to stand as soon as possible is a vital part of strengthening the muscle and becoming used to your knee replacement. At first, walking may seem tricky, but the more you practice, the easier it will become.
Try physiotherapy
A good way to start the recovery process is to seek help from a professional physiotherapist. Physiotherapists will be able to give you expert advice on movement and exercises that will help with your recovery. Physios may also be able to administer massage treatments to help with any discomfort that you may experience post-surgery.
Maintain a good diet
Your diet matters more than you may realise when recovering from any type of medical procedure. After leaving the hospital, you should aim to eat a normal, balanced diet that provides you with all the nutrients that your body needs. Getting the right nutrients through your diet will supply your body with the tools needed to heal.
If you are struggling to eat a normal diet due to stomach upset, try to eat bland foods in smaller portions, but ensure that you are eating enough to fuel your body. You should also make sure to drink plenty of water and perhaps take multivitamins if you feel drained. If you have any queries about your post-surgery diet, it is always best to speak with your doctor.
Above are just a few ways that you can help your body to recover. After your surgery, your surgeon will give you advice on how to best look after your new knee. You should try to follow this advice and ask any questions that you may have about life post-surgery.
If you’re looking for a Manchester-based hip and knee surgeon, contact Mr Arun Kumar today.
If you’re a keen cyclist, you may wonder whether you’ll have to give up riding your bike after partial or total knee surgery. In this blog, we’ll be taking a closer look at the best ways you can prepare your body to get back on your bike again once your knee surgery is complete.
Before your surgery
Gentle cycling can be a great form of low impact exercise as you prepare for knee surgery. Conditioning your body can help speed up your recovery.
Riding a stationary cycle does not put too much weight on the knee. Riding an exercise bike gently can build strength in the affected knee without putting too much stress on the joint. However, start slowly and stop cycling immediately if you’re in any pain.
After your surgery
For the first few weeks after your surgery, if your goal is to get back on your bike, getting your body back in motion is of utmost importance. Riding an exercise bike can actually be a beneficial form of physical therapy after a knee procedure to prepare you for cycling outdoors again.
Start gently and properly adjust the bike to ensure that your knee is bent slightly at the lowest part of the pedal by extending the seat height.
At first, you may not be able to achieve a full turn of the pedals. Don’t let this put you off (unless you’re in too much pain) and simply rock the pedals back and forth to build up your strength. Your range of motion should improve quickly, but be prepared to do this gently for a few weeks. After about six weeks, many knee surgery patients will be able to start thinking about cycling outdoors again.
Discuss your progress with your healthcare provider and follow any agreed exercise and therapy plans to avoid injury. If you loved cycling before knee surgery, keeping a clear goal in mind to return to the road and cycle track can be a great motivator to keep you focussed on your recovery.
If you’re looking for a specialist knee surgeon in Manchester, call Mr Arun Kumar today.
Knee arthroscopy surgery is a necessary procedure in many circumstances that’ll have extremely positive effects on your life. However, the recovery period can take weeks or even months, often leaving you with less mobility than usual for some time.
This can take its toll, especially if you’re used to leading a busy and active life. So, what can you do to keep yourself occupied during this period? Below, we’ve got some tips and advice to entertain you while on the road to recovery.
Discover new music
Listening to music can be extremely therapeutic and can aid your recovery. Use this time to listen to new artists and explore new genres. You might even find a new favourite.
Watch everything on your ‘list’
Most streaming services offer a list to save everything you want to watch. However, we rarely get around to watching one, let alone them all. Now’s a great time to catch up on some series and films you’ve been putting off.
Read novels or listen to audiobooks
Whether you enjoy reading long novels or prefer listening to them, you’ve got a lot of spare time on your hands right now. Order or download that long story you thought you’d never have time to finish.
Get out the board games
If you have someone at home to spend time with or have guests over, why not enjoy some of the board games you used to love? You’ve likely got some stored away that you haven’t played in ages. These can give you a lot of enjoyment and take your mind off the recovery process.
Solve some puzzles
If doing the daily crossword or solving sudokus is your idea of fun, why not buy a book full of puzzles to crack? Alternatively, many apps nowadays offer puzzles to solve and brain training to keep your mind active.
Keep a diary
Perhaps writing appeals to you. Keeping a diary of your day-by-day progress will be a great reminder of what you overcame in the future. It’ll also lift your spirits when you see how far you’ve come.
These are just a few ideas that can help you pass the days on the road to recovery. Get friends and family involved to enjoy yourself, and you’ll be better before you know it.
Before having hip surgery, pain can make the hip almost freeze. Sex can often hurt so the idea of being intimate is not a very exciting prospect.
If you have any worries about sexual activity after hip surgery, put them to bed. Hip replacement surgery can actually improve your sex life within 6-8 weeks of the procedure. By that time it is more than likely that the incisions and the muscles around the hip have healed.
After a hip replacement, you should have more movement as long as the wound has healed. When it comes to healing, every patient is different so a gradual return to sexual activity is recommended. If in any doubt, talk to the surgeon or doctor about any concerns.
Avoid certain movements
Generally, there are no problems with having sexual intercourse after hip replacement surgery as long as a few guidelines are followed.
Try not to raise your knee above your hips.
Try not to move your knee across the middle of your body.
If the area around the hip becomes painful or starts to feel uncomfortable, stop what you’re doing. Rotating the knee out and away from the body is fine as long as there is no discomfort.
New hip – getting ready for sexual intimacy
Before sexual intimacy with your partner, here are a few tips to try to keep your new hip safe.
Do a few stretching exercises, slowly getting your hip used to movement. This will help to loosen up muscles and make sure there is no pain.
During sex, be careful about the speed and movement. Ask your partner not to put his or her full body weight on your hips.
If you need to support the hip joint, use a rolled-up towel or pillows to support your feet, legs or knees. When lying on your side, keep the side with the hip replacement on the bottom. Try out a few different positions to see what you’re most comfortable with and enjoy.
If you live in the Manchester or Cheshire area and want to find out more about hip replacement surgery, please get in touch with us today.
For someone suffering from Patello-femoral joint disorder, the result is a pain in the front of the knee and around the kneecap or patella. This disorder is commonly caused by overuse of the knee joint or trauma. Anyone can develop symptoms of this condition; however, it is more common in athletes. As a result, this disorder is sometimes referred to as jumper’s or runner’s knee.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of patello-femoral joint disorder is a dull pain that is usually across the front of the knee. This pain can be in just one knee or in both and usually gets worse with physical activity. The condition can also cause pain after sitting for a long time, cracking or popping sounds from the knee when climbing stairs, or after sitting for a long period.
Treatment
As patello-femoral disorder is often caused by overuse, resting the knee can help to alleviate symptoms. Elevating the knee, using support bandages, and taking painkillers such as ibuprofen might help some individuals. By adapting future exercise, sufferers may be able to reduce the chances of patello-femoral pain in the future. For example, try sticking to low-impact activities in the days immediately following high impact activity.
If non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy and orthotics have failed to reduce the pain and discomfort felt by sufferers, patients may wish to consider several surgical options.
Lateral Release
This surgical procedure targets the lateral retinaculum. This ligament is found on the outside edge of the kneecap and can cause patello-femoral pain if this ligament is tight.
Arthroscopic Debridement
Arthroscopic debridement, a form of knee arthroscopy surgery, removes torn menisci or smooths out the rough articular. This procedure is designed to remove anything within the knee joint that is interfering with movement. This surgery can use arthroscopic instruments, meaning that only small incisions are required.
Microfracture
A microfracture procedure aims to correct chondral defects. This involves the removal of any unstable cartilage, and holes may be drilled into the damaged areas to encourage the growth of fibrous cartilage.
To find out if you would benefit from patello-femoral surgery, get in touch with the leading Manchester knee and hip surgeon today.
You may have recently experienced an ACL injury, requiring you to have an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) reconstruction surgery. The long recovery period, however, can be off-putting to some patients, especially if you work in a demanding work environment. Below, we discuss why an ACL reconstruction surgery is your best option for long term benefit.
Restores full functionality to your knee
While there are alternative treatment options for ACL injuries, ACL reconstruction surgery is the most effective option for a full recovery. Options such as physiotherapy may provide significant recovery of knee functionality but are only good for a limited period. ACL tears cannot fully heal on their own and will require surgical intervention. An ACL reconstruction surgery replaces any torn tendon, helping you regain full knee functionality.
Cost efficiency
ACL reconstruction surgery also tends to be a cheaper option compared to other alternative forms of treatment. Given that it is a one-day procedure, all costs are paid upfront after completion of your procedure. Recovery costs are also kept to a minimum and will only require occasional physiotherapy sessions. Patients who choose nonsurgical treatments, on the other hand, end up paying for more due to the lengthy recovery period.
Reduced risk of future injuries
Since an ACL reconstruction surgery typically replaces a torn ACL with a tissue graft, you are assured of a healthy ligament going forward. This means a reduction in cartilage degeneration, allowing you to avoid any future knee injuries. You also get to keep osteoarthritis at bay, giving you more time to enjoy physical activities that excite you.
Successful recovery rates
Surgeries often come with risks and can result in second reconstruction procedures. ACL reconstruction surgery is, however, one of the few procedures that consistently record high successful recovery rates. It may be because it employs the minimally invasive knee arthroscopy surgery, meaning the risks of complications are few. This, therefore, makes it the most appropriate procedure for anyone looking for minimal interruptions in the foreseeable future.
To find out how you can get an ACL reconstruction surgery, get in touch with us today. We also specialise in hip surgery, patellofemoral joint disorders and other knee arthroscopy surgery needs.