After knee prosthesis surgery: practical tips and exercises to do at home

Using walking aids correctly

• Stand so that the two walking aids are slightly in front of and to the side of your feet.
• Keep your hips as straight as possible. You can stand up straight with your elbows slightly bent.
• When walking, lean firmly on the handles of the walking aids.
• Important: Support your body weight with your hands - not with your forearms (elbows extended)!
• Always put as much weight on the operated hip (marked with white tape) as the pain allows. However, walk as normally as possible. This means that each step should be the same length as when walking normally. Put weight on the operated side as permitted.
• If you have our permission to walk with a stick, this should be placed on the non-operated side.

Climbing stairs

• Place the leg on the healthy side on the first step of the stairs first.
• Support your body weight with your healthy leg and hands so that you can lift the operated leg (marked with white tape) onto the same step.
• Repeat this until you have reached the top of the landing.
• Proceed in exactly the same way if the stairs have a banister.
• Important: Do not make your first attempts on the stairs alone!

Going down the stairs

• Place both sticks on the first step below you.
• Now place the leg on the operated side (marked with white tape) on the same step between the sticks.
• Make sure you put as much weight as possible on the walking aids. Next, place the healthy leg on exactly the same step next to the operated leg.
• If you have enough strength in your healthy leg, you can try to place the sticks and the operated leg on the next step at the same time and then bring the healthy leg up.

Sit correctly

• Avoid sitting in deep armchairs, especially at the beginning. To avoid this and make it easier to stand up, we will provide you with a high wedge cushion.
• High, stable chairs with armrests are ideal. If necessary, you can raise the seat height with a high wedge cushion.
• Sit down: Walk backwards towards the chair until you feel the edge.
• Take both sticks on the healthy side.
• Support yourself on the backrest to sit down - stretch the operated leg slightly forwards.
• Bend your legs only slightly. Sit upright.
• To stand up, slide forwards first. Stand on your healthy leg using the armrests. The operated leg is still slightly extended forwards.
• Take the walking aids in both hands and stand on the operated leg.

Going to the toilet

• Take both canes on the healthy side. Now reach for either an armrest on the toilet or a grab rail next to the toilet.
• Sit down slowly and hold the operated leg slightly outstretched.
• Stand up as you did with the chair: lean on the armrests or the grab rail. The operated leg is again slightly forwards.
• As most toilets are too low, we recommend a toilet seat raiser. You will also receive this aid during your hospitalisation.

Showering

• Use a non-slip mat and a grab rail on the wall to help you keep your balance.
• Temper the water before showering.
• Place the healthy leg in the shower first. The poles are outside, but within easy reach.
• With a sponge on the long handle, you do not have to lean forwards.
• When leaving the shower, step out with the operated leg first.

Bathing

• Bathing is not recommended for the first six weeks after the operation. If you do not have access to a shower, you will find tips here on how best to get in and out of the bath:
• Walk with canes to the wide side of the bathtub.
• Place a sturdy plastic chair with good support in the bath.
• Temper the water before you get into the bath.
• To get into the bath, sit on the edge or a chair that is higher and right next to the bath.
• First lift the operated leg and then the healthy leg over the edge. If possible, sit on the edge so that you are facing the tap. You can use your hands under your thigh to lift your leg into the bath.
• Leave the bath by carefully lifting your legs back over the edge of the bath.

Lie down in bed

• Sit backwards on the bed on the operated side near the head end, where the bedside table is.
• Slide your buttocks slightly backwards and lift your healthy leg onto the bed first.
• Then lift the operated leg: if you do not yet have enough strength to lift the leg yourself, support it with your healthy leg or place your hands under your thigh for support. You can now lie on your back.
• Important: Move your pelvis and legs evenly. Keep your legs slightly apart. Standing up on the operated side - Stand up with the operated leg first. You can also use your hands to help here. Stretch the leg slightly forwards and gain your balance. Now lift the healthy leg out of bed.

Sleeping

• It is best to sleep on your back with a pillow under the knee of the operated hip.
• Place the bedside table on the operated side.
• If you prefer to lie on your side: Place a pillow between your legs so that your legs cannot cross during sleep and your hip does not turn to one side. The operated leg should be on top.
• A positioning splint is recommended during the initial period. It prevents the operated leg from turning inwards and outwards.

Dressing

• Choose comfortable clothing.
• In the beginning, you will need help or aids to get dressed. If you are using a pair of gripper pliers to get dressed, grasp the waistband of your clothing with the hook and first pull it over the operated leg up to above the knee.
• Now stand on the healthy leg using a stick and pull the garment all the way up.

Taking off

• First remove the clothing from the healthy leg. Socks and stockings
• A stocking donning aid helps here: pull the sock onto the donning aid first. The heel and toe should fit snugly at the front.
• Now hold the straps at the sides, slip into the sock and pull it up with the stocking puller.
• On the healthy side, you can put the sock on by lifting your foot. Do not bend down!
• To remove the sock, hook a long shoehorn into the back of the heel and pull it off your foot.

Shoes

• Flat, sturdy shoes with easy access and no laces are best. This means you don't have to bend over to put them on.
• Make sure they have good soles. Leather soles are not suitable as they are very hard, do not absorb shocks and harbour a certain risk of slipping.
• Use a stick or a shoehorn with an extra-long handle to help you put on and take off your shoes.

In the kitchen

• An apron with several pockets is an advantage.
• Transport hot liquids in containers that have a lid.
• Instead of carrying everything, you can also slide items along the counter or work surface.
• Instead of twisting your body, take small steps, especially when walking.
• It is best to use gripping tongs to pick up objects.
• When handling items in drawers or in the oven, stretch your leg.
• A serving trolley is suitable for transporting crockery. This way you can also avoid unnecessary walking back and forth.

In the car

• Get in the car on the side where you have the most legroom. This is usually the passenger side.
• First sit backwards on the car seat.
• Now carefully and slowly lift your legs into the car. Support the operated leg with your hands under your thigh or with the help of your healthy leg.
• Important: The movements should be made evenly with the pelvis and legs. The body should remain as straight as possible.
• Do not drive again until your doctor authorises you to do so. This is usually the case when you have regained sufficient strength in your leg and no longer need walking aids.

Go for a walk

• Go for regular walks on well-maintained paths at an early stage. In the beginning, a short walk of five to ten minutes is sufficient.
• Gradually increase the distance you walk.
• Important: Avoid uneven and slippery paths. Always wear sturdy shoes.

General recommendations

• Move your hip as much as the pain or swelling allows.
• If you have a stationary bike (exercise bike) and have sufficient mobility in the hip joint, you can train for ten minutes a day with low resistance and slowly increase the duration of training.
• Never perform movements above the pain threshold, as this can result in haemorrhaging and adhesions.

Book a consultation appointment

We guarantee rapid, expert clarification and advice as well as treatment using the most modern methods.

Dr Andreas L. Oberholzer is a recognised expert in hip problems and has extensive experience in the field of artificial hip joints and alternative treatment methods.

Book your appointment directly online here or call us on +41 44 388 16 16. You are also welcome to come to us for a second opinion.