Walking after knee surgery is a fundamental aspect of recovery, restoring mobility and function. It requires patience, adherence to medical guidance, and proper technique. Successfully navigating this process is important for regaining independence and returning to daily activities.
Initial Steps Post-Surgery
Walking often begins soon after surgery, sometimes within hours. Medical staff, including nurses and physical therapists, guide these initial movements. They help patients stand and take a few steps, often with assistive devices like a walker or crutches. Early mobilization is important for recovery, regaining movement and preventing complications like blood clots.
Surgeons and physical therapists provide weight-bearing instructions for the operated leg. Even with full weight-bearing, initial movements are for short distances, such as walking from bed to bathroom. Frequent, gentle movement is encouraged to promote healing and improve circulation. Most people can be discharged from the hospital within one to three days, provided they can move safely with assistance.
Developing Proper Gait
As recovery progresses, developing a proper gait is a central focus. A normal walking pattern involves a sequence where the heel of the foot touches the ground first, followed by the foot flattening, and then pushing off with the toes for the next step. This “heel-to-toe-lift” pattern is fundamental, reinforced during physical therapy.
Maintaining balance and good posture is important for a symmetrical, efficient walk. Patients are encouraged to distribute their weight evenly through the foot, avoiding habits like walking on the outside of the foot, which might have developed to compensate for pre-surgery pain. Gradually, reliance on assistive devices like walkers or crutches is reduced, often transitioning to a single crutch or cane, and eventually walking independently. This transition occurs around two to three weeks post-surgery, with many patients walking without an aid within six weeks. Practicing walking on various flat surfaces helps to build confidence and refine the gait pattern.
Exercises to Support Walking
Specific exercises support and improve walking ability after knee surgery. Range of motion exercises, like heel slides and knee bends, are introduced early to regain knee joint flexibility. These exercises prevent stiffness and ensure the new joint moves through its full capacity.
Strengthening exercises target the muscles surrounding the knee, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles. Quadriceps sets, straight leg raises, and hamstring raises help build the strength necessary to support the body’s weight and control leg movement during walking. Balance exercises, like single-leg stands, improve stability and coordination for confident walking. Consistency in performing these exercises and following physical therapist recommendations is important for successful recovery.
Managing Common Issues While Walking
Common issues while walking after knee surgery include pain, swelling, and fatigue. Pain management strategies allow for effective participation in physical therapy and movement. This involves prescribed pain medication, taken as directed, sometimes 30 to 45 minutes before exercise sessions for maximum effectiveness.
Swelling is a normal part of the healing process and can impact walking. Elevating the leg above heart level, applying ice packs for 15-20 minutes several times a day, and using compression can help reduce swelling. Fatigue is common, especially in early weeks, so balancing activity with rest is important. Recognizing warning signs, such as sharp, increasing pain, fever, or significant redness or warmth around the surgical site, is important, as these may indicate a need for medical attention. Addressing fear of falling or re-injury through guided practice and building confidence is part of the recovery process.