What Do They Do in Knee Replacement Surgery

What Do They Do in Knee Replacement Surgery

What Do They Do in Knee Replacement Surgery When the time comes for knee replacement surgery many people want to know what will happen. It is a common treatment that can help with pain and movement. The goal of this text is to tell you about the steps of this important health care fix.

First let’s talk about how doctors get ready for such an operation. They will look at your health and plan out the work needed on your knee. You will also learn what you need to do before the day of your surgery.

Next we go into what happens during the actual surgery process. Your surgeon removes parts of your knee joint and fits new parts made by humans. This helps make your knee move smooth again and stops most pain linked with bad joints.

Preparing for Surgery

Before you have knee replacement surgery there are key steps to take. It’s not just about the day of the procedure. Start by talking with your doctor about what to expect. They can tell you how long it will be and what care you will need after.

Your home should be a safe place for when you come back from treatment. Move things that could make you fall and put in items that aid your movement like handrails. If your bedroom is up stairs think of making a spot to rest on the first floor.

You may also need to change what you eat or drink before surgery. Your team will give advice on this part of preparing. This often means no food or water after midnight on the day before your operation.

Lastly arrange for someone to help once your treatment is done and recovery starts. You’ll likely feel tired and sore at first so having support is vital. They can assist with tasks like cooking, cleaning, and getting around while you heal.

The Procedure

During knee replacement surgery the damaged part of your knee is taken out. This is done under sleepinducing drugs so you don’t feel pain. The doctor makes a cut to see and fix the joint parts that hurt. They take care to keep as much healthy bone and tissue as they can.

Next comes the part where your surgeon puts in the new joint. It’s made of metal and plastic that act like your own knee parts. These pieces are fit tight against your bones so they move right. They’re built to last a long time and let you move more easy.

Once the new parts are in place it’s key for them to be set right. Your doctor checks this by moving your leg in different ways on the table. They make sure everything lines up well before closing up with stitches or staples.

After surgery you go to a room to wake up from the drugs used during treatment. Nurses watch over you as you start coming around again after being asleep for hours. When safe they’ll help get you up on your feet soon after procedure has ended.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

After knee replacement surgery recovery starts right away. You’ll be in a hospital room where care teams help you heal. They make sure your pain is low and that you’re comfy. The first day after surgery they may ask you to stand or walk a few steps.

Rehabilitation comes next with exercises to get your knee moving again. A therapist guides you on how to sit, stand, and bend your new joint safely. They set goals for each week of recovery to keep track of progress made over time. It’s important not just for healing but also for getting back life’s daily tasks.

At home keep doing the exercises given by your therapist every day as told. This helps make the muscles around your new knee strong again after treatment has ended. Stay in touch with the health team if questions come up while at home recovering from surgery.

Managing Pain

Pain control is a key part of recovery after knee replacement. Right after surgery doctors often give medicine to ease pain. As you heal the amount and kind of pain relief may change. It’s important to follow their advice on how much medicine to take.

Your care team will watch your pain levels closely during your hospital stay. They want you comfortable so you can start moving and get better faster. Tell them if the pain gets too bad or if what they gave you doesn’t help enough.

Cold packs can also be used as a simple way to reduce swelling and pain. Place them on your knee for short times throughout the day as recommended by your doctor or nurse. Always use a cloth between ice or cold pack and skin for safety.

Once home keep taking any medicine prescribed for managing the discomfort from treatment as told by your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t wait till it hurts too much before using it; staying ahead of the pain helps with recovery.

Besides drugs physical therapy plays a big role in easing discomfort post-surgery. Your therapist shows methods like stretching that aid in reducing tension in muscles around the new joint which can lessen soreness felt during healing time after knee replacement procedure ends.

Potential Risks and Complications

Like with any surgery knee replacement has possible risks. While most people get through without big problems it’s good to know what could happen. Infection is one risk where germs get into the wound during or after surgery. Blood clots are another; they can form in your leg veins and cause issues.

Your doctor might talk about the chance of the new joint not working as well as hoped for. Sometimes it doesn’t fit perfectly or gets loose over time which can mean more treatment is needed later on. There’s also a small chance that nerves around the knee area could get hurt during surgery.

Lastly, while rare, some may have an allergic reaction to the metal or plastic used in their new joint parts. If you feel pain long after recovery should be done or see swelling that doesn’t go down tell your health care team right away. They will help figure out what’s going on and find ways to fix these issues if they come up after a knee replacement procedure.

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What Do They Do in Knee Replacement Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions