Knee surgery to repair you knee joint, damaged cartilage, or other related problems can help you restore the function of your knee so you can enjoy regular activities again. After surgery, you will need to be ready to recover from the anesthesia while managing pain and preparing for rehabilitation of your knee. Here are some tips to prepare you and help you through this process.

Recovery From Anesthesia

Anesthesia was likely used during the operation to keep you sedated and immobile. Coming out of anesthesia can be an easy or more difficult process, depending on your reaction to the anesthesia. You may feel as if you are waking up from a long nap, feeling tired and groggy for the remainder of the day, but you'll then return to normal function shortly after or the next day. If you are someone who doesn't respond well to anesthesia, however, you may experience trouble concentrating, and even memory loss, and confusion, or you may feel dizzy or weak and feverish for days or weeks after your surgery.

If you are one who doesn't metabolize the anesthesia drugs properly, there are some tips you can try to help your anesthesia recovery so you can focus on healing from your knee surgery. At least two weeks before your surgery, start taking a selection of high-dose vitamins and minerals with antioxidant properties, which will help your body detoxify and eliminate the anesthesia compounds. It is recommended to take a daily vitamin C of at least 200 mg, 22.4 IU of vitamin E, 25,000 IU of beta-carotene, folate, B-6 and B-12, zinc, magnesium, and selenium.

To help you body eliminate bile and other toxins from the anesthesia, avoid eating foods that slow this process. This includes saturated fats from meats and dairy, refined sugar, and alcohol. Instead, eat a diet high in dietary fiber, which helps your body eliminate the anesthesia. This includes pears, oat bran, legumes, apples, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, beets and carrots—and remember to drink plenty of water, too.

Pain Management After Surgery

After your surgery, you will most likely be in some pain, and your doctor will prescribe various medications to help you deal with this pain. When taking any prescription pain medications, which are a narcotic and can be addicting, make sure you only take them when necessary and stop taking them when another other-the-counter or herbal remedy can help you manage your pain. Always talk to your doctor before using any of these herbal remedies to make sure they are not going to interfere or cause complications with any other medications you may be taking.

Willow bark extract is helpful for helping your pain and also reducing inflammation in your surgery site. You can find willow bark at health food and herbal stores, and you can take up to 240 mg per day. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory and properties to help reduce pain, and you can take it dried or in its fresh form for the best results. Grate four grams or less of fresh ginger into water to drink, and sweeten it with honey or add some lemon juice for flavoring.

Rehabilitation

Your doctor will recommend several different physical therapy exercises, including bending and extending your knee joint to help improve flexibility, to work on improving your muscle strength and regain your balance when you walk. During your recovery, the muscles in your leg will have become weak due to your inactivity, and restoring your muscle strength is a big part of your rehabilitation.

As the length of time since your surgery passes, you will be able to complete different types of exercise to progress your knee's healing and strengthening. Some exercises can include standing squats, walking up steps, cycling on a static bike, and standing hamstring and calf stretches. Low-impact exercises, such as swimming, are a good idea during rehabilitation, as they don't put excess pressure on your joints, but they still exercise and improve the flexibility in your knee joint.