For knee surgery patients, managing below-knee swelling is essential for a quick and successful recovery. But what if there was a better way to do it? Thanks to Aero-Wrap™, there is. Read on to learn more about this innovative compression product.
How Common is Total Knee Replacement?
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA), otherwise known as total knee replacement surgery is becoming increasingly common, as people live longer and are more active later in life. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, over a million knee replacements are performed in the United States each year, with that number increasing year over year.
There are many reasons why patients might choose to have this procedure done. Maybe they’ve been living with pain for years and it’s finally reached a point where it’s impacting their quality of life. Or maybe they want to be able to return to activities they love but can no longer do because of their knee pain.
Swelling After Knee Surgery
Patients who undergo knee replacement surgery can expect a pretty significant recovery process. And one of the most important aspects of that recovery is managing the moderate to severe swelling that often occurs in the days and weeks after surgery, followed by mild to moderate swelling for 3 to 6 months after that.
Not only is it painful, but lower extremity edema negatively impacts the length of stay and the patient's perception of their surgical outcomes (Brock, et al, 2015).
Edema, or swelling, is also among the most frequent reasons for emergency room visits within 90-days following elective hip and knee surgery (Kelly, et al, 2018).
Why Patients Have Difficulty with Swelling After Knee Surgery
There are a few reasons why swelling is such a difficult side effect to manage after knee surgery. First, it’s often constant, meaning that patients have to find ways to deal with it 24 hours a day. And second, the lower extremity is already a difficult area of the body to keep elevated. Patients are typically instructed to keep their feet up as much as possible, but this can be extremely uncomfortable and make it difficult to do things like take a shower or get dressed.
Finally, given the invasive nature of the surgery and limited post-operative mobility, patients looking to manage their below-knee swelling often have a difficult time applying elastic compression stockings or other static compression products.
Aero-Wrap: A Better Way to Manage Swelling After Knee Surgery
Aero-Wrap is an innovative compression product that was specifically designed to address the needs of patients who are struggling with lower extremity edema.
This revolutionary product utilizes hook and loop straps so it's extremely easy to put on. What's more, it uses air inflation for compression, making it simple to apply and adjust measurable gradient compression, so you don't have to struggle with tight, pinching elastic materials or fabrics that loosen over time.
Aero-Wrap also features the built-in AeroGauge™ hand pump that provides on-demand compression, so you can easily control the amount of pressure being applied. Now, you can continue to live your life without having to worry about constantly readjusting or re-applying your compression garment.
Aero-Wrap has proven to be more effective than traditional compression products at reducing below-knee swelling. So, if you're looking for a better way to manage the swelling after your knee surgery, Aero-Wrap is definitely worth considering. Talk to your doctor or rehab specialist today to learn more.