3 tips for Knee Rehabilitation and the need to be patient!

My Knee Rehabilitation! Nothing much to write today, other than I have been gradually increasing the amount of walking I have been doing and very clearly, it was too much! My knee was feeling unstable and it was ‘talking’ to me more. It was not unstable in any way. But it was just telling me to back off and I needed to listen. Knee rehabilitation after surgery takes time!

At only just over 2 weeks post operatively, mild swelling and inflammation was still present and the areas that had been cut inside were still sensitive.

What I did note, was that there were other aggravating factors having an impact. My footwear and the terrain that I had been walking on.

My shoes have been harder underneath with little or no give; this would have created more ‘jarring’ through to my knee. We have been increasing the distance that was walked, this inevitably included more hills, both up and down. In Cornwall these can be steep, especially in some of the beautiful towns that we visited.

So what did I do? The patient backed off and walked less! I wore softer shoes with more give in the soles.

I STOPPED being stubborn and soldiering on! It is so easy to just say….”Let’s carry on, it will be fine.” Clearly, it was not!

But I kept on with the same exercises without adding any more and would resume with more as soon as I was able.

I kept on reminding myself. It was ONLY 17 days post surgery and I am good with that. Healing takes time!!

Those 3 tips I mentioned.

I have really found walking is great- it is ‘free’ and being outside is brilliant for you in so many other ways too. Integration of your exercises is really important. Trying to work your knee in an integrated way joins other joints and muscles together. Your knee never works by itself.! Don’t underestimate how important your foot is. Your knee is a bit of a slave to your foot and so a really well moving foot allows your knee to track and load with greater efficiency.

More soon.

As Osteopaths at Back to Back, we recognise that it is crucial for post surgical rehabilitation to be UNIQUE to THE INDIVIDUAL. Exercises should be given to YOU and for YOUR problem and for YOUR stage of healing. The progression of exercises is also unique to the patient and given under the advice of a good health practitioner.

The above is all the opinion of Back to Back.

If you are concerned in anyway about your rehab, do come in and see one of our highly trained team.

Blog by James Dodd