One of the main searches on surgeries these days is “Total knee replacement surgery hospital stay.” But do you know what this surgery is?
Knee replacement surgery or knee arthroplasty is done to relieve pain and restore the function of critically diseased knee joints. This procedure involves cutting away your damaged bone and cartilage from the shinbone, thighbone, and kneecap and replacing it with an artificial joint made of high-grade plastics, metal alloys, and polymers. You can also watch a video on “who should go for knee replacement surgery?’’ to better understand.
Why it’s done?
Knee replacement surgery is most commonly performed to relieve severe osteoarthritis pain. Climbing stairs, getting in asnd out of chairs, and walking are the common problems of people who need this surgery. Some people even experience pain in their knees when they’re not moving. If you, too, are planning for total knee replacement surgery, you can book an appointment with surgeons of liaquat national hospital.
Risks
Knee replacement surgery, like other surgeries, carries risks. They are:
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Heart attack
- Blood clots in the lungs or leg vein
- Stroke
Signs of infection
Notify the doctor immediately if you have:
- Fever greater than 100 F
- Drainage from the surgical site
- Shaking chills
- Increasing redness, swelling, tenderness, and pain in your knee
In most cases, an infected knee replacement necessitates surgery to remove the artificial parts and antibiotics to kill any bacteria. After the infection has been cleared, further surgery is performed to replace the knee.
Artificial knees may wear out.
Another risk of this surgery is the failure of your artificial joint. This risk is increased if you put a lot of stress on the joint by doing high-impact activities or carrying a lot of weight.
How do you prepare?
Food and medications
Your doctor or an anesthesiologist may ask you to stop taking dietary supplements and some medications before the surgery. On the day of your surgery, you’ll probably be told not to eat after midnight.
Prepare for your recovery.
You might need to use crutches or a walker for several weeks after the procedure, so arrange for them before your surgery. Ensure that you have transportation home from the hospital and someone who can help with your everyday tasks.
When recovering at home, consider these measures:
- Install safety bars or secure handrails in your bath.
- Create a living space on one floor as climbing stairs could be difficult.
- Secure stairway handrails.
- Remove loose cords and rugs.
- Arrange a toilet-seat riser having arms in case you have a low toilet.
- Get yourself a chair that should have a stable seat cushion and firm back, as well as a footrest that will elevate the leg.
- Get a stable chair or bench for your shower.
What can you expect?
Before the procedure
Anesthesia is required for knee replacement surgery. Your feedback and preferences aid the team in deciding whether to use general anesthesia, which renders you unconscious, or spinal anesthesia, which keeps you awake but prevents you from feeling pain below the waist.
To prevent the post-surgical infection, you will be given an antibiotic intravenously during, before, and after the surgery. You may be given a nerve block around the knee to numb it. The numbness fades gradually after the procedure.
During the procedure
Your knee would be in the bent position to expose all the joint surfaces. Once the incision about 6 to 10 inches is made, the surgeon moves aside the kneecap and then cuts away the surfaces of the damaged joint.
When the joint surfaces are prepared, the surgeon attaches the pieces of an artificial joint. Before closing an incision, they bend and rotate your knee to check its proper function. This surgery lasts about two hours.
After the procedure
Your specific needs determine the length of your stay after surgery. For one to two hours, you will be taken to the recovery room. Many people can return home the same day. Pain should be managed with the help of medications prescribed by your doctor.
You would be expected to move your ankle and foot, which helps to improve blood circulation to the leg muscles and prevent blood clots and swelling. To further protect you against clotting and swelling, you will likely be given blood thinners and asked to wear a support hose or compression boots.
You’ll be required to perform breathing exercises and steadily increase your activity level. Carry out your workouts regularly, as directed. Follow wound care, diet, and exercise instructions given by your care team for the best results.
Results
Knee replacement provides pain relief, increased mobility, and a higher quality of life for most people. In addition, most knee replacements are expected to last at least 15 years.
Most daily activities like shopping and light housekeeping could usually be resumed three to six weeks after the surgery. If you really can bend the knee far enough to sit in the car, and have enough muscle control to operate the car brakes and accelerator, and aren’t taking narcotic pain medications, you should be able to drive after three weeks.
After you’ve recovered, you can do low-impact activities such as walking, golfing, swimming, or biking. Higher-impact activities like jogging, tennis, skiing, and sports that require contact or jumping should be avoided.