After having either a hip or knee replaced, getting the required amount of sleep in those first two to three weeks after the surgery can be a daunting process. You will find that you slept better when you were hospitalized then when you return home and the reasons are many.

One reason was that you were better medicated. medication schedules for the most part are better regulated then when you arrive home. Many patients will either postpone taking their medication for pain or forget altogether. You are less distracted at the hospital in regards to family and friends you find you will rest better in the hospital then when you arrive home.

Now there are cases however where this is not always a fact. It will depend on your experience at the hospital some of you may feel much better in your own bed. Something however will change when you get home causing the replacement to create more discomfort and in turn reduce your sleep.

I find the patient that has had a knee replaced will suffer more then the hip replacement patient as having the knee replaced is more painful. keeping the knee comfortable during the night is something that you have to work at. The knee will wake you up at night as it starts ache and you will develop muscle spasms once it has sat still for awhile. The trick here is when you wake up to start moving the knee as soon as possible and you will find the pain will relieve itself.

Here are several things you can do to help yourself get a good nights sleep after returning home after joint replacement surgery.

1. Be sure not to complete your last set of exercises right before going to be. I suggest you do your last exercise session roughly two hours before going to bed.

2. Be sure to take your pain medication before going to sleep. I found this to be helpful in my case and it will help relax you and begin to decrease the pain at the surgical site.

3. Keep your room cool and comfortable. Have found many patients that have tried to sleep with the room temperature higher then normal due to the fact they are not active and feel cold to begin with. Having a room temperature that is higher then normal will keep you uneasy and tossing and turning as well. Use a temperature that is comfortable to you.

4. Monitor you overall workload during the day. Many people when they get home begin to get involved in to much around the home. Remember these joint replacements will not let you know you have done too much until later that night and the next day. By over doing things around the home more exercises then has been prescribed or household chore will also cost you a good nights sleep.

After getting home and re-established, you will find your sleep patterns will begin to get back to normal within two weeks. The first two weeks will be hit and miss. this is something I have found of course that will vary from patient to patient. Sleeping will be a challenge when you first arrive home so try and prepare yourself accordingly.

Arthroscopic Meniscectomy is an outpatient minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat a torn meniscus cartilage in the knee. The meniscus helps to stabilize the joint. The meniscus is often torn as a result of sport-related injury in athletic individuals. The procedures take about one hour to complete.

A small incision is made in a arthroscopy surgery a small camera about the size of a pencil is inserted into the joint.Then using one or more other incision your surgeon places others instruments inside the knee to remove the torn cartilage. Whenever possible, the surgeon will remove only the damaged portion of cartilage, rather than all of the cartilage. A drain may be inserted through an additional incision, to drain away fluid. The incisions are closed with stitches, which are usually removed in the surgeon's office one week later.

Open Meniscectomy/Arthrotomy :

A larger incision is made, which exposes the interior of the knee. This involves cutting through more skin and muscle than for an arthroscopy, and generally results in a longer recovery period. This technique is usually reserved for more complicated situations, such as associated bone fracture or ligament damage.

If the meniscus was removed, it generally takes three to six weeks to return to full activities, and if the cartilage was repaired, it can take up to four months for full recovery.

Some specialized hospitals for Joint Replacement surgery in India like Indraprastha Apollo Hospital (New Delhi) , JCI Accredited Apollo Hospitals (Chennai), Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai. MOIT Hospital, Chennai etc. They availed high quality and cost effective advanced surgery in India.

Due to arthritis and other causes, many people may need total hip or knee joint replacement surgery later in life. Physical Therapists may help you delay surgery or prevent it altogether via exercise, stretching, and pain management. Pain management may also include methods like taping, electric stimulation, ultrasound, and lasers.

Physical Therapists will help you know the source of pain, by evaluating you. A good Physical Therapist will ensure that your specific needs and goals are addressed in the program of rehabilitation. You should also receive education on how to limit stress on your injured joint to minimize pain.

If a joint replacement has to happen, work with a Physical Therapist before the surgery to get stronger and to understand what will happen after the surgery.

After total joint replacement surgery, why is Physical Therapy important to your recovery?

Your joint will function better with a good exercise program. Limited range of motion and strength after surgery can lead to pain and difficulty walking. The exact procedures your doctor has performed, should dictate the progression of strengthening and flexibility exercises. In order for healing to take place, you will have specific limitations placed on bending or putting weight on your leg.

Your Physical Therapist will design a regimen to restore flexibility and strength to your trunk, hip, and leg muscles. An important role is played by neuromuscular control in coordinating your leg muscles, so that you can balance. It is helpful to improve muscle movement and co-ordination by including balance training in any rehabilitation program. Your physical therapist should also help to limit the effects of post surgical scar tissue. Thus, limiting it's effects on your ability to move your limb due to muscle imbalances.