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Understanding Orthopedic Treatments

Hey everyone, my name is Belinda. When I was a young girl, I injured the muscles in my legs performing complex gymnastic moves. I was under the care of an orthopedist for several months during the recovery period. I had to complete a number of strengthening exercises to regain my range of motion and mobility. The orthopedist performed regular examinations to determine if the given treatment was working. I will use this site to talk about different orthopedic treatments. I hope you will visit my site often to learn about this fascinating subject.

Understanding Orthopedic Treatments

Preparing Your Home To Recover From Your Knee Replacement Surgery

by Stanley Pierce

You're scheduled to have that painful knee replacement surgery so you can walk comfortably again. You're looking forward to getting out of the hospital and recovering at home. To make sure that you have the easiest recovery possible at home, do a little preparation to get your home more recovery-friendly. Here are a few tips to help make your home recovery safer and more comfortable.

1. Clear a path through each room.

You'll come home from the hospital using crutches or a walker. It can be a challenge to get through narrow spaces using either of these means. Clear a path wide enough to get through each room easily with either crutches or a walker. You'll find it frustrating if you have to rearrange your house to make way through rooms when you first get home.

2. Pick up any clutter and obstacles in your way.

Walk through your home and imagine what it would be like on crutches. Move any small objects that could trip you, such as trash cans and magazine racks. Pick up any throw rugs that could slip and cause you to fall. Move any loose cords lying on the floor, such as extension cords or the electrical cords to table lamps.

3. Relocate to the first floor to avoid stairs.

Until you build your strength up and gain your balance using crutches or a walker, stairs will be a challenge. If your bedroom is not on the ground floor, set up a temporary bedroom somewhere on the main floor for a few weeks. Use the couch, set up an air mattress, or relocate to a spare bedroom if you have one available. If your laundry facilities are not on the ground floor, have someone help you with the laundry for a few weeks.

4. Prepare your kitchen for an easier recovery.

Move items that you frequently use in the upper kitchen cabinets to the kitchen counter. Move spices and canned goods that are high up onto the counter, as well. Reaching up high to get those items will be difficult for a few weeks. Also move items that are in the lower cabinets onto the counter as bending down to get them will be a challenge until you are steady on your feet again.

5. Create one or more "rest areas" in your home.

As you slowly recover at home, you'll find yourself getting tired and in need of a place to rest for awhile. Make this easier by creating rest areas in key areas of your home, such as the living room, dining area and bedroom. A chair with a small table with reading material, a water bottle and some snacks will be much appreciated should you walk through the house and decide that you can't take another step and have to stop to rest.

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