3 Tips To Help You Care For Someone Recovering From Knee Surgery

Being a caretaker comes with a unique set of challenges. If a loved one is scheduled to have knee surgery and you plan to be responsible for helping them through recovery, there are some things that you need to be aware of in order to make the process a little easier on both of you.

Here are three tips that you can use to successfully care for someone recovering from knee surgery in the near future.

1. Prepare your living space in advance.

While your loved one is recovering from knee surgery, it can be challenging for him or her to move freely throughout your living space. You may find that you need to rearrange your furniture in order to provide clear walking paths or set up a temporary bed on the main floor so that your loved one won't have to navigate the stairs.

It can also be beneficial to gather any supplies that your loved one might need during recovery prior to his or her surgery date. These supplies can include pillows for elevation, ice packs, and books or movies for entertainment.

2. Talk to your loved one's doctor.

It's important that you have your loved one provide permission for you to speak with his or her doctor prior to the surgery date. You will likely be responsible for ensuring that your loved one takes his or her medications on time, and you will need to watch for signs of potential complications.

Having the ability to discuss your concerns with the doctor and receive instructions directly from a medical professional will allow you to provide the highest level of care for your recovering loved one after knee surgery.

3. Find ways to motivate your loved one.

Engaging in physical therapy after a knee surgery is critical when it comes to proper recovery. Unfortunately, physical therapy exercises can often create a significant amount of discomfort, making recovering patients less likely to fully engage in these exercises while in a home setting.

As a caretaker, you should be prepared to provide motivation and support for your loved one. Creating a chart to visibly track progress or participating in the exercises with your loved one can be great ways to motivate him or her to commit to physical therapy during recovery.

Knee surgeries are complex and require a significant healing period. Providing care for a loved one who will be having knee surgery will be easier if you take the time to prepare your living space in advance, visit with your loved one's doctor to receive specific medical instructions, and prepare yourself to act as a motivator during rehabilitation. To learn more, contact a clinic like Omaha Orthopedic Clinic & Sports Medicine PC.

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