Total knee replacement
Total knee replacement is a surgical procedure where the worn-out surfaces of the knee are resurfaced with metal and plastic components. Over time, the cartilage that cushions the bones can wear away, causing pain and discomfort and making simple pleasures like walking and shopping unbearable. Knee replacement can reduce or eliminate pain, allow easier movement and get you back to normal life.
Knee replacement surgery may be considered for people who have arthritic knee pain that severely limits the activities of daily living. It is only recommended after careful examination and diagnosis of your particular joint problem, and only after more conservative measures—such as exercise, physical therapy and medications—have proved ineffective.
There are many kinds and designs of knee implants available today, and no one design or type is best for every patient or their particular situation. Each surgeon selects the implant that they believe is best for their patient's needs based on a number of factors, including age, activity level, the implant's track record, and his or her comfort with the instruments associated with the particular implant. If you have specific questions regarding implants, your surgeon will be happy to answer them for you.
With improvements in surgical techniques and post-operative care, it is now common for many patients to be able to go home from the hospital after two or three days. Of course, each patient is different, but the goal should be for you to recover in the comfort and privacy of your own home as soon as possible.
This can vary from person to person, but most people will need to use an ambulation aid, such as a walker, for four weeks or so. Driving may be possible in two to three weeks, and activities such as golf and bowling can be resumed in as few as 10 to 12 weeks. Some activities, such as singles tennis and skiing, are not recommended after knee replacement. Most people will be able to go straight home from the hospital, though some patients, particularly those who live alone, may need to spend a few days at a rehab center or nursing home. Keep in mind that healing and recovery times can vary.
Knee replacement is recognized as one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine. In the United States, each year over 400,000 people have the procedure, and a recent panel of independent experts determined that 90 percent of patients reported "fast pain relief, improved mobility and better quality of life."
Even though knee replacement surgery is considered a very successful procedure, it is major surgery, and as with any surgery there are risks you need to be aware of.
Possible complications include:
- Blood clots in your leg veins.
- Infection.
- Implant loosening.
- Fractures.
- Nerve or blood vessel damage.
- Knee stiffness.
Your surgeon and healthcare team will be taking great care to minimize the risk of these and other complications. Keep in mind that complications are relatively rare, but they need to be understood by you and your family. Your surgeon will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
You will experience some discomfort after surgery, but be assured we will be doing everything we can to keep you as comfortable as possible. Pain after surgery is quite variable from person to person and not entirely predictable, but modern medications and improved anesthetic techniques greatly enhance our ability to control pain and discomfort after surgery.
Your surgical team will be doing everything possible to minimize bleeding, but some blood loss after joint replacement is unavoidable. Whether or not a blood transfusion is required will depend greatly on highly individualized factors, including your condition prior to surgery, cardiac history, age, etc. Be sure to discuss these issues with your surgeon.
Have more questions? Just give us a call. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. And be sure to ask us about our upcoming seminars on knee and hip pain—we'd love to see you!
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