Activities that you cannot do after knee replacement surgery

The following activities should be avoided after knee replacement surgery: Avoid bending the operated knee past 90°: Bending the knee past a 90° angle can put a lot of strain on the new knee joint and lead to problems. Instead, try and keep the knee at an angle of 45° while sitting or standing. This helps in avoiding pain and allows the new knee joint to work properly. Avoid crossing your legs: Crossing your legs after knee replacement surgery can cause undue stress on the new knee joint and lead to pain. Instead, it is better to keep the legs slightly apart and avoid any activities that require the crossing of the legs for at least six weeks after surgery. Avoid high-impact activities like jogging or running: High-impact activities like jogging or running can put unnecessary stress on the new knee joint and lead to its damage. You can however perform low-impact activities like swimming, cycling, or walking after surgery, as these activities will allow you to stay healthy and active without putting excessive strain on the new knee. Avoid heavy lifting: Lifting heavy objects can put pressure on your knee joint and should therefore be avoided. Avoid using the staircase: The staircase should not be used after surgery if possible. This helps in reducing the risk of developing certain complications like blood clot formation. If you must use the staircase, use a handrail and move slowly. Avoid activities that put excessive strain on the knee: Activities like jumping and climbing up the stairs can put excessive pressure on the new knee. These activities should be avoided to prolong the life of the new knee and prevent any unnecessary discomfort or pain. Avoid standing or sitting for a prolonged time: One should avoid standing or sitting for too long after surgery. Instead, it is advisable to take breaks often and sit down whenever it is possible. Sitting for too long can increase the risk of developing blood clots and can also cause swelling due to the accumulation of drainage fluid. Do not sit in a low chair or a low bathtub: It may be difficult for you to get up from a low chair or a low bathtub after surgery. Use a shower chair, a walk-in shower, and a high chair to sit instead. Avoid sitting in chairs with crossed legs: Avoid sitting with crossed legs in chairs. This helps in improving circulation and preventing the new joint from becoming stiff. Also, take breaks often to move around and keep the knee in motion. Avoid sleeping on the stomach or side: Your knee is in a flexed position when you sleep on your side or stomach. This can put unnecessary stress on the new knee joint and cause damage, and hence should be avoided. It is also advisable to sleep with a pillow between the legs as it can lead to the flexion of the knee and put unnecessary stress on the knee joint. Avoid wearing socks or slippery shoes: You will be unstable on your feet after knee replacement surgery. It is therefore essential to wear non-slippery shoes and grip socks to avoid falls. Avoid walking without assistance: You should use a cane, walker, or crutches for support while walking for two to six weeks after knee replacement surgery. Walking without assistance can increase the risk of a fall and injury. Avoid driving while you are on medications: You should avoid driving while you are taking heavy medications unless your doctor permits you for the same. Avoid smoking: Smoking will slow down your healing process. It is best to avoid smoking till you recover completely. Do not skip your exercises: The physiotherapist will guide you through a quick recovery process without any risk of injury. Avoid skipping your exercise sessions as it may hamper your healing process. Do not forget to get lots of rest and eat healthy: Eating a healthy diet and getting adequate rest can help in promoting healing after knee replacement surgery.