Supplements That Help After Knee Replacement Surgery

A patient goes through a difficult time after a knee replacement surgery. It’s immaterial if its a total or partial knee replacement surgery, as the recovery and rehabilitation process for both those types of operations is the same. After a knee replacement surgery, maintaining the health of the joint is extremely important for a full recovery and getting back to normalcy post-rehab.

The leg in general which has gone through the surgery will be weak post-surgery, and a period on rest immobilises it for some time. After the immobilisation period, or preferably during the time as well, it is vital the patient take enough nutrients and vitamins to help the process fasten itself. A lack of it would ensure the knee and the leg in itself will have less power and probably future complications.

Here we have a few recommended supplements after a knee replacement surgery.

Before we start with the essentials, let’s quickly take a look at a vital non-essential, which will only complicate the process.

It is explicitly recommended to avoid Vitamin K, because post-surgery, doctors usually prescribe blood thinners and with Vitamin K added to the equation, the chances of blood clotting increases drastically.

Broccoli, brussels sprouts, liver, green beans, cauliflower, lentils, soybeans, kale, cabbage and onions all have high amounts of Vitamin K. So during the period of recovery ensure you avoid them as much as possible.

What are the supplements to boost after a knee replacement surgery?

Vitamin C and Zinc

Vitamin C and Zinc help boost the immune system of the body, hence helping to avoid complications while the recovery process is ongoing from a knee replacement surgery. They especially helpful in preventing infections and from any viruses attacking the system.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is especially essential for bone health. They help in increasing bone density and thus providing a base strength while recovering from a knee replacement surgery.

Eating food items such as fish, mushrooms and dairy products will provide an excellent source of Vitamin D. On the other hand, exposure to the sum for about 5 to 30 minutes daily also helps, especially during peak daylight hours. If these sources are not possible, one can always use supplements of Vitamin D to ensure its intake.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is essential to healing wounds. They can in addition to helping healing wounds, also decrease scar formation. Ask your doctor for the various sources through which your body could receive Vitamin E

Iron

Iron is one of the most vital requirements during the recovery process after a knee replacement surgery. Supplements help replenish the lost iron with the blood during the surgery. By taking regular supplements for four weeks straight, iron would help the blood’s clotting mechanism and more importantly helps avoid anaemia.

Herbal and Non-herbal supplements

There are plenty of herbal and non-herbal supplements available to aid the recovery process after a knee replacement surgery. For herbal supplements, one needs to consult the doctor as it may be deemed fit based on the individual.

As far as non-herbal supplements are concerned, here’s a list of the most commonly recommended ones for patients recovering from a knee replacement surgery.

• coenzyme Q10
• essential fatty acids
• free-form amino acids
• L-lysine
• L-cysteine
• L-glutamine
• MSM
• pycnogenol

Before the intake of any of the above-mentioned supplements, do Consult Your Doctor looking after you during the recovery period from a knee replacement surgery. The doctor is the best person to help you choose these supplements wisely and avoid any further complications those might have on your body and knee.

Also Read : Exercises Before and After a Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Also Read : All You Need To Know About Total Knee Replacement Surgery

About The Doctor:

Dr. Ayub Sabre is an experienced and fellowship trained Orthopaedic Surgeon with special interest in Complex trauma, Spine, Replacement surgery and Minimally Invasive surgeries.

He completed his medical education from Kurnool Medical College and a Postgraduate (DNB Orthopedics) from prestigious St. Martha’s Hospital, Bangalore in 2006.

At Premier Hospital, Dr Ayub Sabre has been been a dedicated presence for the last 7 years, performing multiple complex surgeries with good outcome maintaining, excellent rapport with patients and attendants.

About the Hospital:

Since the inception of Premier Hospital in 1991 till today, we have grown to unprecedented levels, due to our excellence in medical sciences and healthcare. Premier Hospital is the creation of Dr Mahesh Marda, Senior consultant Physician and when it was first established, was only a small, 30-bed hospital facility. Back then, we provided only secondary care to patients, but that certainly has changed in the present landscape.