Knee surgery can make a huge difference in the treatment osteoarthritis and other issues that affect seniors. With the proper care and a bit physical therapy, seniors can find a whole new lease on life, but many aren’t. A recent study in the journal Arthritis Care & Research found that knee replacement surgery is closely tied to weight gain because many patients are not taking advantage of their improved function and continue to live sedentary lifestyles.
After looking at the records of 1,000 patients from the Mayo Clinic, the study found that 30 percent of those who had the procedure gained approximately 5 percent of their body weight in the five years after surgery. This is a clear message that we, as caregivers, need to encourage an increase in physical activity after this type of surgery.
It is crucial to implement an increase in physical activities, according to the Doctor’s treatment plan, immediately after a knee surgery. Reverting back to habits formed while the patient had decreased function can keep them from getting the full benefit of the procedure. Physical Therapy in the patient’s home can teach them how to use their own environment to aid in their recovery and how exercise can easily and safely be implemented into your daily routine.
