If a patient has undergone artificial knee replacement surgery, it is very important for him to maintain appropriate weight postoperatively. Too much of weight and obesity can affect the success rate of surgery. Patients who lose weight or maintain healthy weight after artificial knee replacement have promising outcome in comparison with those who put on weight. They are pain free, mobile and active more than they were before the surgery.
Artificial knee has become a boon for people who are chronically suffering from pain and movement problems of the knee joint. Osteoarthritis of knee is a common cause for replacement of knee joint.
Why Should You Maintain Healthy Weight After Knee Replacement?
Artificial knee is a replacement surgery in which an artificial prosthesis is implanted and the damaged part of the knee joint is removed.
Usually people over the age of 60 may need knee replacement surgery. In most patients the artificial knee will last for at least 15 to 20 years. However, it can prematurely deteriorate if proper care is not taken or patient puts strain due to weight gain. Obesity can also affect the other knee and may need early replacement, especially if it shows early sign osteoarthritis.
Knee joint is a weight bearing joint. Normally during walking the knee joint has to bear at least three times of a person’s weight. Thus when the person weighs more his artificial knee has to endure more pressure. This may cause damage to the prosthesis that is surgically implanted in the knee.
How To Maintain Healthy Weight After Knee Replacement?
Many patients after surgery gain weight as their activity gets limited for few weeks or months during the recovery period. Thus patient who has undergone surgery, especially knee joint replacement surgery should be proactive in maintaining his weight. Here are some useful tips that he can follow to maintain appropriate weight and reduce the risk of damage to the artificial knee.
- After the recovery period is over, start exercising as recommended by the doctor. Walking for 30 minutes and swimming are two low impact exercises that may help to burn calories besides keeping the patient more active. Exercise also lifts the mood of a person if he is under stress. People under stress are known to eat more which may contribute weight gain.
- Eat healthy diet that is rich in nutrition but has optimum calories required by the body. Spread the diet which consists of plenty of vegetables and fruits. Avoid fried food, packaged and processed food which has saturated fats. Eat complex carbohydrates and limit sugar intake.
- Avoid eating three large meals. Replace it by 5 to 6 smaller meals. It helps to keep the stomach full for longer duration and reduce cravings.
- Drink plenty of water. Patient should drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water in a day. It helps to keep the body well hydrated. Water also aids in digestion process and reduces appetite.
- Patient has to keep a close watch on his weight. He should measure his weight every week so that any deviation from normal can be easily corrected by dietary restriction, exercise etc.