During the rehabilitation process after surgery, one of the best pieces of advice you can receive from your rehab professional is, to listen to your body. Your body will tell you if you are rehabilitating in the proper manner or, you are over doing the exercise program.
Most people get confused because for every neighbor, nurse, physical therapist or, orthopedic surgeon you talk too, you will get a different response when it comes to exercise do's and dont's. There is no cut and dried sure fire way to rehabilitate your knee. Your job as a patient is to find what works for you then proceed with it full steam ahead. Your rehabilitation professional if they are on top of their game will understand that as well. Exercise frequency for instance shoved down your throat will work for some and not for others.
There are many ways to determine if you are working to hard. A big increase in swelling, chronic pain that will not subside with pain medication or ice, or sleepless nights one after another. To avoid this dilemma, monitor your exercise frequency and duration set forth by the surgeon or physical therapist. If you experience these symptoms on a frequent basis then, changes can and should be made in the program.
You will always improve if you cut back as needed. In some cases I will recommend that the patient take an entire day off. It can be done and you will see great results as well.
Knee surgery rehabilitation was not designed to be totally painless. There will be some difficult days from time to time make no mistake about it. Taking care of your overall physical body with rest, and keeping tabs on what is working or not working when it comes to exercise frequency will be the major factor in your comfort levels and overall success.
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