When is it time to consider total knee replacement?
There are many factors to consider when deciding the best treatment for your knee pain. Your doctor may want to try treating your pain with nonsurgical treatments first. Knee surgery may be the right option for you if the non-surgical treatment did not provide relief. There are many different surgical approaches to discuss with your doctor. It is important to remember that you have options when it comes to treating your knee pain, and these decisions should be made with your doctor to ensure that you achieve your desired outcome.
Reasons you may benefit from total knee replacement:
- Severe knee pain that limits everyday activities
- Moderate to severe knee pain while resting, either day or night
- Chronic knee inflammation and swelling that does not improve with rest or medications
- Knee deformity (bowing in or out of your knee)
- Knee stiffness– inability to bend or straighten knee
- Little to no pain relief from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Failure to substantially improve with other nonsurgical treatments
What are the benefits to total knee replacement?
A physical therapist will help you to start walking using assistive devices usually the day after surgery and you should be able to go home after three to five days. The length of your stay is dependent on a number of factors including age and any unexpected complications experienced during or after surgery.
What are the risks associated with Total Knee Replacement?
There are some potential risks and recovery times associated with knee replacement surgery. After surgery, risks can include blood clots and infection. Your doctor will use various methods to reduce risks, including early mobilization, foot pumps, medication and antibiotics. You will be monitored after surgery to ensure that any problems are dealt with appropriately. With normal use and activity, every knee replacement develops some wear in its polyethylene insert. Excessive activity or weight may accelerate this normal wear and cause the knee replacement to loosen and become painful. Talk with your doctor about the potential risks associated with Total Knee Replacement.
What is the recovery time?
Total knee replacement has the potential to improve quality of life by reducing pain, improving mobility and correcting deformities. Carrying out everyday activities should be much easier after the surgery. You should be able to enjoy gentle exercise such as swimming, cycling and playing golf.
How long will a knee replacement last?
With normal use and activity, a knee replacement is designed for long-term wear. Excessive activity or obesity may accelerate wear and can cause the knee replacement to loosen and become painful. After recovery, your knee replacement should provide you with a good quality of life.
How do I prepare for the operation?
It is important to stay relaxed. Don’t put yourself through unnecessary stress before your surgery. It is also important to be as healthy as possible prior to surgery. Try to keep as active as you can to keep your leg muscles strong. Increasing upper body strength will also help with mobility. Your physician will perform a thorough medical evaluation prior to surgery.
What happens after surgery?
A physical therapist will help you to start walking using assistive devices usually the day after surgery. You should be able to go home after three to five days, depending on a number of factors, including age and any unexpected complications experienced during or after surgery.