Understanding the Procedure and Post-Surgery Recovery
Knee replacement surgery is still a widely unfamiliar procedure that makes a lot of people tremble with fear. As much as extreme knee pain is troublesome, most people are not sure about undergoing a surgical procedure to fix the problem. Is this procedure safe, and how will one live with metal and plastic inserts in the knee? These are only some of the burning questions about knee replacement surgery that bother most patients out there.
To answer the questions you might have and help you understand knee replacement surgery, we composed the following guide to the procedure. In it, you’ll find everything from a detailed explanation of the procedure to the recovery time and home tips. Hopefully, that will prepare you for knee replacement and ease the worries you might have.
When is Knee Replacement Needed?
Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure done to repair damaged knees. During the procedure, a surgeon replaces the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint with metal and plastic parts to relieve pain and disability. The main goal here is to resurface the parts of the damaged knee joint that can’t be repaired or treated in any other way.
Knee replacement is usually performed for osteoarthritis or other conditions and injuries that damage the knee beyond remedy. Adults of any age can suffer from these conditions, but most of them are aged between 60 and 80. While they are usually recommended total knee replacement, younger people aged between 44 and 60 years are suggested to perform partial knee replacement. This is mostly because the artificial joint has a lifespan expectancy of 10 years.
Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery
As much as knee replacement surgery is a large and demanding procedure recommended only in case of extreme need, we have to recognize that it has many benefits for the patients. Here are some o the main advantages of knee replacement surgery:
- Pain Relief. Patients are expected to experience immense relief when walking, running, standing, or even sitting. Knee surgery effectively alleviates pain.
- Improved Mobility. The procedure also restores and increases mobility in people who can’t walk long distances, climb stairs, or sit down and stand up due to knee pain and stiffness.
- Short Recovery Time. Newer surgical techniques make knee replacement more efficient and easier than ever. Surgeons make smaller incisions, use newer anesthesia methods, and advanced physical therapy. All of this helps with faster recovery and makes the knee replacement safer.
Disadvantages of Knee Replacement Surgery
The possible drawbacks involved with knee replacement surgery go as follows:
- Most patients complained about a replacement knee not feeling natural enough.
- Most knee replacements don’t blend the same as natural knee and feel uncomfortable to kneel at.
- Some clicking or clunking is common for knee replacement.
- It might be some numbness at the knee after the surgery that never goes away fully.
- Knee replacements usually wear out over the years, and other surgeries might be required after a while.
Risks of Knee Replacement Surgery
As with any major surgery, there are some risks of knee replacement you should be aware of:
- Pain during the recovery process
- Prolonged stiffness in the knee
- Infection of the wound and the joint replacement
- Excessive bleeding
- Ligament, artery, or nerve damage
- Deep vein thrombosis
Who is a Good Candidate for Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement is by no means the only way to treat pain and knee damage. Doctors usually start with less invasive treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, joint injections, and physical therapy. When these methods don’t work, doctors consider minimally invasive procedures, partial knee replacement, and full knee replacement.
Knee replacement is usually considered when there is severe damage and pain to the knee as well as deformity or disability that affects the quality of life. If you feel extreme knee pain and stiffness during movements or at rest, your knee joint is deformed, or the X-rays show joint degeneration, you might be a good candidate for knee replacement.
Although there are no age restrictions when it comes to the surgery, most people who undergo knee replacement are 50 years old or older. Whenever possible, doctors recommend minimally invasive procedures and partial knee replacement, but it all depends on each particular case.
What to Expect Before Surgery?
Typically, a patient has to wait six to twelve weeks to have knee replacement surgery. During this time, some preparations should take place to increase the chances for a successful surgery and recovery.
First of all, doctors might recommend pre-surgical physical therapy. When the patients strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee, they have a greater chance of reducing post-surgery pain and stiffness. Secondly, some medical preparations might be required as well. Doctors might suggest patients do the following:
- Cut or decrease medications two weeks before surgery, especially aspirin, steroids, and opioid pain drugs.
- Stop or reduce tobacco use because nicotine slows down healing and increases the risk of infections and deep vein thrombosis.
- Cut or decrease alcohol because it can influence the effects of anesthesia.
- Report cold, flu, fever, or any other illness present in the days before the surgery.
Knee Replacement Surgery Process
As we mentioned above, knee replacement is a procedure done to resurface the damaged parts of the knee that cause pain and decreased range of motion in patients. The three basic bones that meet at the joint of the knee are replaced during the procedure: the tibia, the femur, and the patella. Metal and plastic components are inserted instead of natural ones to restore the cushioning you need and enable the knee to absorb shocks of everyday movements.
Now, before the procedure starts, the patient is given general anesthesia. Then, depending on the needs, partial or total knee replacement is performed. The former includes replacing only a portion of the knee, while the latter involves replacing more knee surfaces.
In both procedures, the doctor makes an incision in the knee area, removes the damaged surfaces of the joint, and resurfaces it with the prosthesis. The knee prosthesis is made of metal and plastic parts, usually the tibial, femoral, and patellar components. Once the doctor sets it up, the incision is closed, and a bandage or dressing is applied to the area.
What to Expect After Surgery?
If you’re wondering what to expect after knee replacement surgery, read on. We give you the full review of recovery time after knee replacement surgery in the hospital and home, so you can prepare adequately.
Knee Replacement Recovery in the Hospital
Naturally, most people are mainly interested in knee surgery recovery time. A demanding surgery such as knee replacement does come with a long recovery process, and it is completely normal for patients to want to know more about it.
Firstly, knee replacement patients have to stay in a recovery room for one to two hours. After that, they are moved into the hospital room, where they usually stay for a couple of days. During the hospital stays, patients are given painkillers and encouraged to move the foot and the ankle. This increases the blood flow and prevents swelling and blood clots.
While in the hospital, patients will most likely meet with a physical therapist who will show breathing and other exercises to them, so they can continue the proper recovery process at home. Some dietary changes also might be in order to ensure faster and healthier healing.
Knee Replacement Recovery at Home
Recovery from a knee replacement at home continues for several weeks. In fact, it might be months before you get back to regular daily activities. The key is to take things slowly and return to your old lifestyle gradually, so your body can heal properly. In this task, your main ally will be physical therapy.
Physical Therapy for Home Knee Replacement Recovery
Physical therapists will recommend well-planned movements and exercises straight after the surgery. For weeks, you’ll be using various types of devices to help you move and exercise. You may be asked to ride a stationary bicycle to enhance muscle strength and maintain flexibility. Other low-impact activities such as tennis or swimming can help a lot as well.
Now, during the first couple of weeks of your recovery, your doctor may recommend devices to help you with recovery. Medical equipment can come useful when patients are still in pain and unable to work out on their own.
Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) Therapy
Pacific Biomedical offers two highly beneficial devices for recovery after knee replacement surgery. The first one is the Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine designed to move a knee joint when patients can’t do it on their own. By moving the joint gently and slowly, the machine increases the range of motion in patients, strengthens the muscles, and ensures a faster recovery.
In general, CPM is a safe and efficient machine able to relieve pain and stiffness after surgery or injury. We recommend it after partial and full knee replacement as well as for treating injuries and other conditions.
Compression Therapy
Another device that might provide pain relief and increase comfort after knee replacement surgery is our RECOVERY+ Cold Compression Therapy Device. As you already know, compression therapy is meant to increase blood flow, reduce pain, and promote faster healing in the lower body extremities. With all this in mind, it’s easy to comprehend how this therapy type can help patients who have undergone knee surgery.
Our RECOVERY+ Cold Compression Therapy Device is designed to help with pain after knee surgery and prevent the possible forming of blood clots. Because it’s compact and lightweight, you can easily move it around and implement it in your in-home recovery process.
Additional Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery Tips:
- Remove rugs, electrical cords, and other items that might cause you to trip.
- Relocate appliances, furniture, and other obstacles so you can move smoothly after the surgery
- Adjust the bed height so you can get up and sit down without putting too much pressure on the knee
- Avoid stairs and try to use railings as much as possible
- Try using a cane, walker, or other similar devices
- Stock up on pre-made meals and snacks before the surgery because you won’t be able to cook for some time
- Arrange for transportation after the surgery and during the recovery as you won’t be able to drive for several weeks
If you have any further questions or need support regarding after-surgery medical equipment, contact us here. We are always happy to help our clients throughout their knee replacement recovery journey!
