What to Expect Before and After Knee Replacement Surgery
One of the most common skeletal surgeries in the world is that of knee replacement. Depending on your condition, your past medical history, the best orthopaedic surgeon in India will decide whether you need the surgery or not. It is, however, worth noting that most in nine out of ten cases patients witness an improvement in their earlier levels of pain.
Knee replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged part of the knee with artificial parts. This post deals with what to expect before, during and after the surgery. Let us now consider each of these aspects.
Before the Surgery
Top factors which make people consider knee replacement surgery include -
• Swollen knee
• Bowed or defective knee
• No reaction to physical therapy or medication
• Severe pain and stiffness making it difficult to perform basic functions such as walking, be it at rest or in sleep
A number of tests including blood tests and X-rays are done to check the extent of the damage. It also helps to check how strong the muscle is to support the knee. It is at this stage that doctors take into account your past medical history and the medications you are on.
At the Time of Surgery
With gradual improvements in knee surgery, it has now become possible for patients to undergo knee surgery as an outpatient candidate. In the event that the patient is hospitalised, then the duration can range from one to four days depending on the surgery.
The knee surgery may be conducted under general anaesthesia to put the patient in deep sleep or administer spinal anaesthesia to numb the body from the waist down. Nearly every surgery is minimally invasive and lasts two hours at the most.
Post-Surgery
Even though patients are allowed to walk from the very next day, it will get a bit difficult. Flexibility and surgical pain gradually improve after a month. Till then, patients need to use a walker or crutches to help them walk. A therapist also helps during the recovery period with exercises to prevent swelling and strengthen the muscles.
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