Knee replacement surgery can be a liberating experience for individuals that feel crippled by constant pain. Often chosen as a last resort, this type of surgery is carried out only when pain medication, physical therapy and other drugs cannot ease the pain. Carrying out a total knee replacement or a knee arthroplasty can have a significant impact on your life.
Source: Wikipedia
It includes the aftercare required post-surgery and the lifestyle changes that this surgery can cause in the long term. Here are seven things that you should keep in mind before you choose to have a knee replacement surgery:
X-ray of total knee replacement, anteroposterior view (left) and lateral view (right) (Source: Wikipedia)
Total Knee Replacements or TKRs account for more than 90% of the total knee replacement surgeries carried out on patients. It involves the surgeon repairing your knee joint by covering the thigh bone with a metal covering.
The shin bones are often enclosed in plastic. These measures and working on the kneecap and replacing it on the under-surface with a plastic surface ensure that the patient can function normally. The goal of a TKR is to eliminate pain and stabilise the performance of the knee joint.
If knee replacement surgery is your first line of treatment, you should consider other ways to approach your issue.
Most types of knee pains can be treated either by medication or therapy. Decreasing body weight and maintaining a healthy diet are also other ways to resolve knee issues without requiring a knee replacement in Delhi.
Preparing for your surgery should be done while picking out your doctor. When it comes to surgery like this, the experience is of invaluable importance. A surgeon who has extensive experience performing this surgery will significantly improve the chances of a successful recovery.
A right surgeon will tell you exactly what to do to prepare yourself before surgery. Following their instructions will help your surgery happen smoothly.
This type of surgery has intricate complexities that a skilled doctor can only carry out. While the surgery itself takes less than an hour from start to completion, accounting for the prep time and anaesthesia makes the total surgery time close to two hours.
The incision for knee replacement surgery (Source: Wikipedia)
This surgery requires a lot of lifestyle changes that may overwhelm the patient after surgery. It is essential to concentrate on the aftercare schedule and manage post-surgery pain appropriately.
Opioid pain medications are the typical recommendation for the pain that occurs right after surgery. This is the most severe pain, and only last a few hours after the surgery is complete. However, it is a healthy move to switch over to non-narcotic solutions gradually during the healing stage.
Recovery from a TKR takes 12-15 months. Always remember that your recovery should add value to your life and enrich the way you live. You should be able to perform all the activities that were previously difficult due to knee issues. The entire process is broadly classified into three parts:
Before undergoing any surgery, most patients want to know what expectations to set before the operation. The best operations lead to full functional joints that perform entirely upwards of thirty years since the surgery.
Most doctors watch their patients slowly forget that the surgery has even been carried out. Most patients have no problems in doing every activity like walking, jumping and jogging after a TKR. Some patients have also returned to things like extreme hiking and playing competitive sports.
There are ways to reduce the pain in your joints to a point where surgery may not be required. Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle while also paying close attention to your diet can reduce your knees' stress. Trying specialised exercises can help build muscles exactly in the knee area.
India has a lot of great options for knee replacement. Max Super Speciality Hospitals, Saket is one such hospital equipped with a team of reliable doctors that best-in-class facilities back up. Choosing the right hospital can make a massive impact on your chances of having a successful procedure!
