A knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, involves replacing damaged knee joint surfaces with metal and plastic parts to relieve pain and improve function, especially for those with severe arthritis or injury. However, there is not much information on what to do after the surgery is performed. Dr Ayesha Abdeen, chief of hip and knee replacement surgery at Boston Medical Center, recently took to social media to break down exactly what to expect—from managing pain in the first few days to getting back on your feet and returning to the activities you love.

Here's Exactly What You Can Expect?

Total knee replacement (TKR) Surgery is usually done using spinal anesthesia along with a nerve block to help reduce pain after surgery. Right after the procedure, you will likely still feel pain relief from the nerve blocks for about eight to 12 hours.

Once the spinal anesthesia wears off, which is usually within the first hour or so in the recovery room, you will be encouraged to start walking. Early movement helps speed up recovery and lowers the risk of serious blood clots that can form in your leg (deep vein thrombosis) and travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism). You will also be given a medication to help prevent blood clots, such as aspirin or a stronger blood thinner (anticoagulant), depending on the type of clots you have.

Pain during the first few days after TKR can be strong, especially in the front and back of the knee. Pain in the back of the knee may be due to bone spurs caused by arthritis that are removed during the surgery. To help manage this, specific nerve blocks are used right before surgery. After surgery, a “multi-modal” approach to pain relief is used.

This means you’ll get a combination of medications like acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs and low-dose opioids. These medications often begin before surgery and continue afterward. Opioids use is usually stopped after one to two weeks to reduce the risk of dizziness, breathing problems, constipation, nausea and other issues.

How Soon Can You Go Home?

Patients arrive at the hospital the day of surgery and can often go home the same day or the day after. Physical therapy starts the same day as surgery and continues for six to 12 weeks. You can begin walking as soon as the anesthesia wears off. You’ll be allowed to put full weight on your leg, but most surgeons recommend using an assistive device such as crutches or a walker for the first few days or weeks to help with balance and prevent falls.

What Exercises Can Help Speed Recovery?

Strengthening your quadriceps and hamstrings. Stretching these muscles improves flexibility at the knee in flexion (bending) and extension (straightening). This is key to avoiding scar tissue and stiffness. Balance and proprioception exercises (which help your body sense where your joints are) to prevent falls. Gait training to help improve the way you walk.

When Can I Return To Normal Activities?

Depending on your activity level before surgery, you can resume walking right away. For those having a desk job, you may return in two to four weeks. For more active jobs that involve standing or walking, it may take four to six weeks. Jobs involving heavy labor may take six to 12 weeks. You should not drive until you have stopped taking opioid medications and are cleared by your surgeon.

You can start returning to sports gradually, based on your physical therapy and the type of sport. In general, most people return to sports within six to 12 weeks. Low-impact activities like walking, cycling, swimming and golf are recommended. It’s best to avoid high-impact activities like running or jumping to protect the new joint.

When Should I See A Doctor?

Pain is expected during the first few days and usually gets better after a few weeks. Ice and pain medications can help manage this. If you develop increasing calf and/or thigh pain and swelling, you should contact your doctor, as this could signal a blood clot. If you notice fluid, pus or bleeding at the incision, call your surgical team.

How Long Does A Knee Replacement Last?

A knee replacement usually lasts 15 to 20 years, but sometimes it can fail earlier. Reasons for failure include joint infection (which can happen soon after surgery or years later from infection spreading through the bloodstream), wear and loosening of the components, bone fracture around the implant, instability or severe stiffness

Despite a whole month of dedicatedly working out in the gym, while paying attention to my food habits, I saw very little to no change in my weight. However, surprisingly enough I did see a difference in the way my clothes fit in certain areas like my arms. Upon measurement, I realized that I have lost an inch or half of fat from areas like my biceps, quads etc. So why hasn’t the number changed on the scale?

The initial stages of fitness journey can often end in a lack luster way. One expects to see the number of pounds go down on the scale, however, sees no particular change in the number. While it may be a difference in perception, the placebo effect of seeing a change within yourself because you have been working hard, or your body could be losing fat, but not the weight.

Going Through Body Recomposition

One of the most common and positive reasons why you might be losing inches but not weight is because your body composition is changing. Specifically, you could lose body fat while simultaneously gaining muscle mass. The Cleveland Clinic explains that this is most likely if you've started a new exercise routine that includes strength training or weightlifting. Since muscle tissue is denser than fat tissue, it takes up less space for the same amount of weight, which means the weight remains constant.

So, even if the number on the scale stays the same, your body could be getting leaner and more toned as you replace bulkier fat with denser muscle. This is a fantastic change for your overall health and how you look and feel, even if the scale isn't immediately reflecting it.

What Could Be Some Other Reasons Why You Are Not Losing Weight

One thing you must remember is that weight loss is not a linear process, some days you will feel lighter and witness some weight loss. On other days you may find that your scale is back in its original position. This could be due to water retention. This is the excess fluid that your body stores. It is an abnormal buildup of fluids that can be caused due to many reasons. WebMD explains that it can be due to your lifestyle choices like sitting or standing too long, intense exercise can also cause your body to retain more fluids. For women, hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle often led to water retention and bloating. Even certain supplements, like creatine that some people take for muscle growth, can temporarily increase water in your muscles.

It Could Be A Weight Loss Plateau

It's also possible that you've reached what's often called a weight loss plateau. Mayo Clinic explains that this is a point where your weight stays relatively the same for a period of time, even if you continue with your diet and exercise plan. This can happen because as you lose weight, your metabolism, which is how your body burns calories, might slow down slightly. Your body needs fewer calories to maintain a smaller size, so the calorie deficit you were initially creating might not be as large anymore. While this metabolic slowdown isn't usually drastic enough to completely halt weight loss, it can make progress feel much slower.

How Often Should You Check The Scale?

Studies like the 2012 review published by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, have actually shown that people who weigh themselves more often, or every day, and also keep track of what they eat and how much they exercise, tend to be more successful at losing weight and keeping it off in the long run. This might be because when you see the number on the scale regularly, it helps you stay focused on your goals and encourages you to keep making healthy choices.

However, it's also important to remember that the scale isn't the only way to measure progress. If seeing the number go up and down every day makes you feel bad about yourself or makes you worry too much about food, then maybe checking less often is better for you. At the end of the day, your overall health is about so much more than just the number on the scale.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a heat wave warning April 8. The number of affected states has increased, with predictions showing it will affect 21 regions including Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Odisha. Other states, including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

While the previous year predicted 2025 to experience record-breaking temperatures, nothing could have prepared people for how quickly it hit, leaving many frazzled. According to the government news portal, the heat in Rajasthan set new records with its peak temperature of 45.6 degree Celsius on April 7.

Delhi on Yellow Alert, Gujarat Faces Red

The weather department in India has told people to be careful about the heat wave in several regions. For Delhi, they've issued a yellow alert, which means the heat could be uncomfortable. However, certain areas of Gujrat had been in red alert, namely: Saurashtra and Kutch. From April 8 to 10, Gujarat has been under an orange alert.

Heat Expected in Northern States

Government portals explain that report from before also noted that a state in the north, Himachal Pradesh, might face extreme heat. This fits with the heatwave alerts that are currently in place. Also, places like Haryana and Chandigarh, which are also in the north, are expected to have hot weather that could last until the 10th of this month.

What Are Some Safety Measures For Alert Areas?

The IMD report also detailed some safety measures one must take, depending on what code your state of residence is in.

Yellow Alert: Gentle Heat, Extra Care for Some

A yellow alert means the temperature is moderate. Most people can handle it, but infants, the elderly, and those with health problems might have some issues. It's wise to limit sun time, wear light, loose, and light-colored cotton clothes, and always cover your head with a cloth, hat, or umbrella to stay comfortable. It persists for 2 days.

Orange Alert: High Heat, Be Very Careful

An orange alert signals high temperatures. Spending too long in the sun or doing hard work increases the risk of heat sickness. It's a serious health concern for babies, older people, and those with chronic illnesses. Avoid heat, stay cool, and drink lots of fluids. Use ORS or homemade drinks like lassi and lemon water to stay hydrated and healthy. The severe heat conditions stay from 2 to 4 days.

Red Alert: Dangerous Heat, Extreme Caution Needed

A red alert warns of very high temperatures. There's a very high chance of heat illness and heatstroke for everyone, no matter their age. Extreme care is absolutely necessary, especially for those who are more vulnerable to the heat. Take all possible precautions to stay safe and avoid any prolonged exposure to the intense heat. This can prolong from 2 to 6 days.

What Health Issues Can Stem From Extremely Hot Weather?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) when our bodies can't cool down properly and keep taking in more heat, it can lead to problems like heat exhaustion and the more serious heatstroke. Trying to cool down also puts extra pressure on our heart and kidneys. Because of this, very hot weather can make existing health problems like heart issues, mental health conditions, breathing problems, and diabetes worse. It can also cause sudden kidney problems. Here are some ways you must manage this heatwave

"Round 2 for me." Tahira Kashyap, a filmmaker, an author, and a breast cancer survivor, has recently shared a personal update on breast cancer relapse. Her breast cancer has returned after seven years. She is married to Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana and was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. Her update on her cancer relapse came on World Health Day, where she posted on her Instagram about her "Round 2".

What Is Cancer Relapse?

Often called cancer recurrence, it is the condition when, even after removal and treatment, cancer returns. It may resurface in the same area where it was first found or turn up at another spot in the body.

There are three types of cancer relapses or recurrence:

Local Recurrence: This happens when the cancer returns in the same spot.

Regional Recurrence: This refers to the original cancer that shows up in tissue or lymph nodes near the original site.

Distance Recurrence: This refers to the cancer that has been found in tissue away from the original location.

Why Do Cancers Come Back?

As per Cancer Research UK, cancer may come back some time after the first treatment for different reasons.

The original treatment may not have gotten rid of all the cancer cells, and those left behind may have grown into a new tumor. In some cases, some cancer cells could also spread elsewhere in the body and start growing there to form a tumor.

Cancer can also come back after surgery because some cancer cells could have been left behind during the operation. In many cases, some cancer cells which had already broken away from the primary cancer could be too small to see to be removed. They are called micro metastases.

Can Cancer Recurrence Be Treated?

Many local or regional cancer recurrences can be treated successfully. Even if a cure isn’t possible, treatment can often shrink the cancer, slowing its growth. This may relieve symptoms, reduce pain, and potentially extend your life.

Your treatment choices will depend on many of the same factors you considered during your initial treatment—your goals, what you hope to achieve, and the side effects you're prepared to manage. Your doctor will also look at the treatments you've had before and how your body responded to them.

You might also want to explore clinical trials, which can give you access to the latest or experimental therapies. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if any trials are available and suitable for you.

How To Know If Your Cancer Is Back?

As per the American Cancer Society, cancer care does not end when you finish treatment. You continue to see your health care team and follow up for care. It is important that you plan your follow-up care after cancer to ensure that your cancer recurrence can be diagnosed within time.

A follow-up care plan is usually based on the medical guidelines for your specific type and stage of cancer. It can also help you feel more in control as you go back to your everyday life after the treatment.

For Tahira, too, the follow-up is what ensured that her recurrence of cancer was detected. In her Instagram post, she wrote: "Seven year itch or the power of regular screening- it is a perspective, I had like to go with the latter and suggest the same for everyone who needs to get regular mammograms. Round 2 for me... I still got this."