what i wish i knew before knee replacement surgery
How much help will I need when I come home? Some medications can interfere with your recovery. However, I knew that was not going to happen. Tobacco can increase your risk of developing blood clots and other complications after surgery. My knee was cut open in two places with fairly large incisions that left me with zipper scars. As I mentioned above I put off surgery for several years thinking I could handle the pain and hoping for a less invasive procedure to fix my knee. What's Likely to Be Causing Your Knee Pain, Up to a Third of Knee Replacements Leave Pain and Regret, Meal Planning for an Older Adult at Home, Exclusive Walgreens Cash rewards for members, AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia: Vacation Packages, Members save when booking a flight vacation package, AARP Identity Theft Protection powered by Norton, Up to 53% off comprehensive protection plans, AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session, Customized workouts designed around your goals and schedule, SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS. The incision will be closed with staples, stitches and/or glue. WebIf you are thinking about hip or knee replacement surgery, here are some important questions to ask your doctor. If you do live far out in the country miles from your care centers, you might consider moving in with a family member or friend who lives closer to the above facilities, at least until you are able to drive yourself to appointments. Michelle Crouch is a contributing writer who has covered health and personal finance for some of the nation's top consumer publications. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Patients who are well prepared for surgery tend to have better outcomes. You should exercise the most important muscle groups around your knee before and after you have a knee replacement. URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. After you leave the hospital, you'll likely continue physical therapy at home or at a center. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-knee-replacement. Think about the basic everyday tasks you need to do and consider how you would manage if you were unable to bend your knee eg. While everyones rehabilitation program is different, it can be intense, particularly in the early days. Patients who have knee replacements are encouraged to get plenty of exercise and eat healthy. An admission to the hospital is required the day of your operation. All rights reserved. This is an Hip or knee replacement - before - what to ask your doctor. What will my stay in the hospital be like? Allscripts EPSi. There are several kinds of replacement knee joint as well as different surgical methods. I spent a good deal of time on the Internet looking and finding as much information as possible. You may start out on a liquid diet, then slowly start eating regular foods as you can tolerate them. The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is to ease pain caused by arthritis. Check with your insurance company to make sure the surgery, aftercare and prescription medicines are covered. Copyright 2023 | My Knee Replacement Recovery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC After recovery, you can engage in various low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming, golfing or biking. How can I get my home ready before I even go to the hospital? At TRIA, well help you schedule all your appointments leading up to surgery. Consider, consider and consider some more. A week before surgery, arrange a ride most patients typically get a ride from a loved one. We can guide you toward resources for quitting or reducing your substance use before surgery. Most knee replacements can be expected to last at least 15 to 20 years. Arthritis causes hard cartilage to thin and become worn down as a result of its damage. Our team of experts, doctors, and orthopedic specialists are here to share their knowledge and experience with you in order to help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being. The best advice I have is to be prepared. After x-rays and an MRI he advised me that I was a candidate for TKR. You will talk with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. The right artificial joints and surgical techniques for you depend on your age, weight, activity level, knee size and shape, and overall health. Preparing for knee replacement surgery may feel intimidating. WebOne month before knee replacement surgery checklist: Prepare your mind, body and home. When I was in my twenties and had my first two surgeries they were before arthroscopic surgery. Getting support from friends and family can help you focus on healing. I have symptoms, and I think I might need a knee or hip replacement. Moving around whenever we like is something most of us take for granted, so the effect of being somewhat immobilised for days or weeks on end is difficult to cope with. Updated June 2020. The last decision I made (and I hope the final decision) was to have TKR. It is possible to experience discomfort during the early stages of therapy, but you should communicate with your therapist and remain positive. You will also need to rent or buy a shower chair or bench to sit on while you bathe, Menacker says. About a week before surgery, youll have that pre-op appointment to make sure youre physically and mentally ready for surgery. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/surgery/acl-reconstruction, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-ligament-surgery/recovery/, https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/-/media/Files/Corporate/general-documents/WATAG/Pain-Relief-After-Surgey-or-Injury-Patient-Information.pdf, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11307-pain-control-after-surgery. Knee replacement surgery. After recovery, you can engage in various low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming, golfing or biking. But you should avoid higher impact activities such as jogging, skiing, tennis and sports that involve contact or jumping. Talk to your doctor about your limitations. Even though I expected to be back to my old self earlier than that, I wanted to be sure. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. You can expect to see your physical therapist 2-3 days per week for 10-14 weeks, depending on your recovery time. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. The information and reviews presented on this website are my opinions and personal experience. What will be done to relieve the pain? Finally, your total or partial knee replacement surgery is on the calendar. You are going to have a hip or knee joint replacement surgery to replace all or part of your hip or knee joint with an artificial device (a prosthesis). Accessed Nov. 1, 2022. Get a stable bench or chair for your shower. Speak to your medical team immediately about any reaction you experience while taking any pain reliever so you can explore other options. See your primary care provider and any other doctors you see regularly to make sure they clear you for surgery. A physical therapist can show you how to exercise your new knee. Remember you probably will not be able to drive for six weeks. It is the only procedure that involves replacing only the kneecaps surface and its groove (the trochlea). Once a week, youll receive stories and insights from the Norton Healthcare family, right in your e-mail inbox. Mihalko WM. Other options, including physiotherapy, exercise, medications and mobility aids, may reduce pain and help avoid future surgeries. Ideally, you need to be able to access your bed, a bathroom and the kitchen all on same level, Westrich says. I made the big decision to have knee replacement and I havent looked back. WebIf you're having a knee replacement, you'll usually go into hospital on the day of the operation. Find out more. I decided that it would be in my long-term interest to have the surgery as soon as possible. A physical therapist should see you twice a day until you have reached your goals. To prevent this complication, you may need to: You'll also likely be asked to do frequent breathing exercises and gradually increase your activity level. MRI is a type of scan that uses magnetic fields to image soft tissues in the body. He was surprised that I was able to walk without excruciating pain let alone participate in the activities that I was involved in. Some decisions took several years to make, others were made over night when the pain told me to seek help immediately. The new knee comes in different sizes. Before you arrive at the hospital or surgery center on the day of your surgery, your doctor and care team want to make sure youre physically and mentally ready for the procedure something well get to more in the next section. Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet. If you are overweight, there will be more stress placed on your new joint. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a weight loss program before surgery. If you drink, do not consume any alcohol for at least 48 hours before surgery. If you use any other types of controlled substances, tell your doctor. If youre scheduled for knee replacement surgery, your surgeon has probably already told you that your recovery will take a while. 2023 Brandon Orthopedics | All Right Reserved. Are there choices to consider? Below are some questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you prepare for your hip or knee replacement. You may have blood drawn once a day (usually at night or early in the morning) so that your doctor can see the lab results. There are more considerations that may be important to you. The effects of alcohol and tobacco can complicate your surgery and make recovery more difficult. Surgery, hospital stay and beyond. Others believe that if the rest of the knee joint does not suffer from arthritis, the rest of the knee joint should be preserved. You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. the day before surgery cleansing your skin before surgery food and liquid restrictions before surgery the morning of surgery You can talk with your health care Were here to support you throughout the knee replacement process whether youre having a traditional or a robotic knee replacement. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. In many cases, video visits and phone visits are available with our pre-op nurses. Just like mechanics have reviews online you can find reviews of doctors online as well. Initially, your go-to chair should be a sturdy, stable one with arms to help you stand up or a recliner so you can elevate your leg, Westrich says. When it comes to food or beverages, it is critical to follow the same rules as before midnight. Your surgeon might also inject a numbing medicine around nerves or in and around the joint to help block pain after your surgery. So, youll need to have a pre-operative (pre-op) appointment. One of the things I knew that I could do myself to alleviate pain and improve knee function was to keep Glasses/contacts with solution. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the decision of whether or not to pursue physical therapy before knee replacement surgery depends on each individual patients specific situation and health condition. Go with you to some or all of your visits to the doctor. The surgeon might suggest aspirating the knee to look for evidence of infection. Questions to ask your doctor before knee replacement. But I know that less pressure on the knee will help reduce pain and make for a faster, healthier recovery. the morning of surgery. Best wishes to you and your recovery. Toiletries and other hygiene items especially if youll be recovering away from home for a night or more. The goal of knee replacement surgery is to restore mobility and pain-free living, but other treatments such as physiotherapy or steroid injections may not be able to As stated above, knee swelling will limit your Should I learn to use crutches or a walker before I have the surgery? Thepsychological impact of a physical injury shouldnt be overlooked. Your doctor will give you detailed information about what medications you need to stop taking in the days leading up to your surgery. One of the most common radiology conditions is knee pain. After making the appointment for the surgery I left his office feeling relieved and comfortable that I had made the right choice. If its possible, Westrich recommends renting an ice therapy machine that applies cold therapy along with compression. Your health care team might advise you to stop taking certain medications and dietary supplements before your surgery. One of my concerns was that after TKR I would be able to resume the activities I was involved with prior to surgery. My surgeon and my research agreed that the younger you are the better chance you have for success. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a FREE second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. Here at my new home I barely knew my new primary care doctor. Good insurance is a must. Then a nurse or other member of the care team will go over what to expect during your surgery and after, including possible knee surgery complications, when youll start physical therapy and much more. One piece of advice that stuck in mind came from a pickleball colleague; find a doctor that will make you wait several months for surgery, not a doctor who can do the surgery next week. By Chris Carmichael, Founder and Head Coach of CTS. (I may earn a small commission from the products mentioned in this post.).