Last month, a patient sent us a very helpful letter. Having recently undergone a knee replacement with Mr Bailey, she had been reflecting on the challenges of recovering from knee surgery when you live by yourself. She wanted to share some of her thoughts and tips with patients who will be going through the same thing.
From cooking meals to getting around the house, recovering from a big operation presents some logistical issues if you don’t have a partner or housemate alongside to help. Particularly when it comes to a procedure like total knee replacement, where you’ll be immobile and uncomfortable for the first few days after surgery.
But it’s not just about physical help around the home. The psychological side is important too (more on that below!).
So if – like an estimated 8.6 million people in the UK – you currently live alone, how can you best prepare yourself for recovery after knee surgery? Here are our patient’s top tips…
1) Go easy on yourself
Knee replacement patients tend to fall into two categories. Some people want to get going ASAP (like Rod Stewart!). Others prefer to take it slowly. If you’re more like the first type, it’s important to be realistic about the mental and physical impact that surgery will have on your body and what you can achieve in the early days. “Don’t push yourself,” advises our patient. Rather than trying to stuff your downtime with tasks, aim for incremental achievements. “Only do one major thing per day – for example, renewing your road tax – and little else.”
2) Commit to your rehab
On the other hand, you don’t want to ditch activity completely in those first few days. The exercises that your physio will give you after surgery are designed to keep you flexible, prevent your knee from stiffening, and strengthen the muscles that support your joint: all things that will improve your recovery. So, it’s important to persist. “Do all the exercises even if they hurt,” says our patient. “In another four weeks, they will hurt less!”
3) Plan your support network
Human contact is more than just having an extra pair of hands around the house (although that’s also good advice for your first week at home). It can actually impact your pain levels, physical outcomes and speed of recovery too. “Arrange in advance for visitors to come to cheer you up,” our patient advises. “And make sure they are the sort of people who will make you a cup of tea and tell you gossip and news, otherwise you will get lonely.”
4) Line up comforting distractions
Talking of psychology, “distraction” is an important recovery tool too. In fact, distraction therapy is an established branch of modern pain management – see for example how Great Ormond Street Hospital uses it with young patients who face surgery. This can be as simple as lining up a set of books, films or audio shows you love. “Watch comforting TV and listen to comforting radio,” says our patient. If you’re looking for inspiration, she recommends “Secret Garden, The Assembly, Kitchen Cabinet and Gardeners’ Question Time”!
5) Stock up on easy meals and treats
Getting “kitchen-ready” is one of our top pieces of advice for pre-surgery preparation. Like many people, our patient found cooking was the last thing she wanted to do during week one. “Don’t worry about meals,” she says. “[Ready meals] are good. Factor in treats for yourself – strawberries, chocolate, hummus, ice cream. You may not feel like eating at all… but DO eat, otherwise you will faint!”
6) Keep things in perspective
“Be positive” sounds glib, but there’s strong scientific evidence to suggest that the attitude we carry into surgery makes a significant difference to our outcomes after it. One study found that going into major surgery with an optimistic mindset physically changed the recovery experience, with optimistic patients reporting significantly lower pain levels and fewer symptoms weeks after the procedure. “Keep telling yourself you are the lucky one, and that things will get better, however grim they are at the start,” says our patient.
7) Give yourself permission to rest
The final tip is like the first: be gentle with yourself. Knee replacement is often described as a marathon not a sprint. It can be tough at times. It’s hard not to compare yourself with friends who’ve been through the same operation. You might feel guilty about not getting back on your feet as quickly as you hoped. Don’t be too hard on yourself, says our patient. Rather, see this as an opportunity to slow down. “Allow yourself to rest. If you’re someone used to doing everything at 100mph, just realise you can’t and give in for once.” Having seen many thousands of patients go through the process, we think that’s solid advice.
More about preparing for a knee replacement
Considering a knee replacement and how you can improve your recovery? You’ll find lots of practical resources on our website to help you plan the journey ahead. Here are some articles you might find helpful:
Preparing for surgery
- How should I prepare for a knee replacement? A general guide on what to expect and how to get your body ready for surgery.
- Knee surgery checklist: 12 things to do before your operation – A checklist of things to organise around your home and life before surgery day
- Preparing for major surgery – Lifestyle and medical advice to ensure you’re in the best shape for your operation.
Knee replacement timeline and recovery
- How long does it take to recover from a total knee replacement? – A timeline of what to expect during the weeks and months following your operation
- How to improve your total knee replacement recovery time – Actionable tips and strategies to help you heal faster and more efficiently
- 3 common exercises for knee replacement patients – A breakdown of the essential physiotherapy movements you will likely need to do during recovery.
Life after your operation
- How to get better sleep after a knee replacement – Practical tips for finding a comfortable position and getting a good night’s rest post-surgery.
- How to manage stiffness after a knee replacement – Reassuring advice on understanding and relieving the common problem of joint stiffness.
- How to use ice treatment after knee surgery – Best practices for safely and effectively using ice therapy to manage pain and swelling.
