How to take care of your emotions before and after knee or hip replacement surgery

Knee or hip replacement surgery will help reduce pain and give you a new lease on life. While the surgery will help you feel better, you may find yourself feeling nervous, fatigued or experiencing other emotions in the lead up to and during recovery from your knee or hip replacement.

It’s important to acknowledge the emotions you are experiencing and take actions to help you to feel your best again. Here are a few tips on looking after your emotions in the lead up to and during recovery from your surgery:

• Reach out and talk to family and friends about how you are feeling. Sometimes simply having someone to talk to can make you feel like a weight has been lifted.
• Get plenty of rest each night and opt for healthy foods that make you and your body feel good.
•  Feel prepared for your surgery by speaking with your surgeon beforehand. Keep a list of questions that you want to ask so that you can easily get the answers you need to put your mind at ease.
• Preparation is key to helping you to feel relaxed ahead of your surgery. Take time to prepare a space for rest and rejuvenation at home, cook and freeze meals, pick up obstacles around the house and organise for a friend or family member to drop in to see you from time to time.
• You will need to take time off driving, work and strenuous activities, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do some of the things you love whilst recovering. Surround yourself with good books, TV or arts and crafts, good people and (when you are ready) organise occasions that give you the opportunity to leave the house with friends and family.
• Try some relaxation techniques to put your mind at ease, such as listening to your favourite music, reading a book or deep breathing exercises.

It’s important to give yourself time to recover emotionally as well as physically after your knee or hip replacement, accept the stress that comes with any surgery and seek advice if you do find your emotions overwhelming.

As one of the top Orthopaedic Surgeons in Newcastle and the Hunter, Dr Stuart MacKenzie has helped many patients live pain-free and get moving again through robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement surgery.