What to add to your plate after knee replacement?

by CMRI | Published on 30/06/2021

Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures, offered at all the best multispeciality hospitals in Kolkata. It involves the replacement of damaged or diseased knee joints with prosthetic components that are prepared artificially. Undergoing a knee replacement is not a small deal and it is not only the surgery that matters but also the recovery and rehabilitation. If you are planning for a healthy recovery after your knee replacement, there are a lot of things that are to be taken care of apart from looking after your wound and going for physiotherapy. The best orthopaedic surgeon in Kolkata suggests that this includes your diet as well.

A healthy diet is important for helping your body regain its lost strength by providing it with all the nutrients that are important for healing. Eating healthy does not require a lot of effort but only a little persistence and dedication. In this blog, we have listed some healthy foods that will surely aid your recovery with the help of experts specialising in knee replacement in Kolkata.

Protein-rich foods –  Did you know that nearly 55 per cent of your bone volume is because of proteins? We’ll, proteins form a major component of your bones and are very important for their growth and development. When you are planning a diet for your bones, you should never miss out on proteins as it helps to make up for bone loss, enhance bone mass and lower the risks of infection. The deficiency of protein in your body can bring down the levels of bone-building hormones and slow down your healing process. Proteins are usually found in eggs, seafood, meat and chicken. However, if you are a vegetarian, you can try soybean or other soy products, chia seeds, spinach, beans and lentils.

Foods with calcium –  Calcium is one of the most important components required for bone development. It was in close coordination with proteins to support bone formation and healing. Hence it is very important to add calcium-rich foods to your diet after a knee replacement surgery. Calcium is not only good for your bones but also for your cardiovascular system. It is usually found in dairy products like yoghurt, cheese and milk. Certain fortified foods like seeds and tofu are also loaded with calcium. Leading Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Rakesh Rajput recommends his patients to take 600-1000 mg of calcium every day.

Foods loaded with Vitamin D –  We all know that sunlight is good for our joints but do you know why? Well, sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D, which is known to promote bone health and help your body in utilising calcium. Though sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D, if you do not wish to stay out in the sun for long, you can always resort to eating foods rich in vitamin D. These include fatty fish, salmon, cheese, fortified milk etc

Foods containing Vitamin C –  Just like Vitamin D, Vitamin C is also important for your recovery as its antioxidant properties help to boost the immune function, thereby lowering the risk of infection. Vitamin C also helps to neutralize the effects of free radicals which can otherwise cause various diseases and ailments. It is also known to boost collagen synthesis which is important for your tendons and ligaments. Vitamin C is usually found in citrus fruits like oranges, strawberries and lemons. It is also present in vegetables like bell peppers and Brussels. Experts specialising in knee replacement in Kolkata recommend their patients take around 500 mg of Vitamin C every day for enhancing the healing process.

Foods loaded with zinc –  Zinc, too, can speed up the process of your recovery. In fact, a deficiency of zinc in your body can have a drastic impact on your bone health. It is not only important for wound healing but is also known to lower the risk of osteoporosis and unite bone fractures. This is because zinc promotes collagen synthesis. Although zinc is usually found in animal foods like meat, dark poultry and oysters, there are certain vegetarian sources as well. These include beans, fortified cereals and nuts.