A doctor may recommend knee replacement if you experience severe knee pain while at rest or that limits your daily activities. Undergoing a knee replacement surgery can be beneficial for you, as it offers enhanced mobility and pain relief.
After you go through the surgery, you may find that resuming your everyday activities take time, as complete recovery takes months. This does not mean, however, that you won’t be able to do anything with your “new” knee. You can still play sports or perform workouts that won’t place excessive stress on your knee.
If you’re excited to move around without pain but are worried that you’ll injure your new joints, take note of these low-impact activities that you should be able to do after a knee replacement.
Walking
This is a great exercise to help build up strength in your knee. On top of that, it burns calories and benefits your heart.
If you’re just starting, try shorter walks and smaller steps as you work your way toward longer distances. Additionally, make a record of the amount of time you walk each day so that you can track your progress.
Swimming
This non-weight-bearing activity is a fantastic way to work out the body without putting a lot of stress on your knee. Individuals who had their knee replaced can resume their swimming a few weeks post-surgery. Still, it is a good idea to check with your physical therapy or doctor before diving into the pool.
Dancing
Certain types of dance activities, such as gentle modern dancing and ballroom dancing, are good ways to engage in light aerobics and exercise the leg muscles. If you’re going to dance, avoid abrupt movement and twisting that could misalign your knee. On top of that, refrain from executing high-impact dance moves, such as jumping.
Cycling
This exercise helps you regain your knee strength. Whether you use an exercise machine or an actual bike, make sure you increase your distance slowly and stay on a flat surface.
Calisthenics
Calisthenics relies on rhythmical and simple body movements. This activity improves your flexibility and helps build strength. A few of the workouts you can do are push-ups and crunches.
Golf
Playing a few rounds of golf is a great way to work out the various muscles in both your upper and lower body. If you’re going for a game, make sure that you:
- Spend a good amount of time warming up on the driving range
- Maintain good balance and posture when hitting the ball
- Call off the round and check with your doctor if you’re experiencing an increase in pain or discomfort during the game
Rowing
This activity offers a good workout on the heart and the upper body while placing minimal stress on your new knee. When you are using a rowing machine, remember to adjust the seat to allow you bend your knees by 90 degrees.
Walking, swimming, dancing, cycling, calisthenics, golf, and rowing are just some low-impact activities you can do after knee surgery. Doing these exercises regularly will increase your mobility as you recuperate. Eventually, you’ll be able to return to the activities you love to do.