Depending on how much help you have, you may want to invest in other items to make the activities of daily living easier postsurgery, Menacker says. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. It is critical to follow your surgeons instructions regarding post-operative care. But you should avoid higher impact activities, such as jogging, and sports that involve contact or jumping. What should I bring with me to the hospital? To decide whether a knee replacement is right for you, a surgeon checks your knee's range of motion, stability, and strength. As we age even without knee replacement we lose the ability to perform physically. A partial knee replacement can be performed at any age. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. One thing you do a lot while swimming is think and thats where I made many decisions to try new things to help my knee. Look around your home and think about how to make it easier to navigate with a cane, walker or crutches. It gives you plenty of time to think and consider what options are available to improve the function of your knee and to lessen the pain that you are enduring. Another option is to recycle the blood that drains from your knee through a vein and return it to the body. The best advice I have is to be prepared. To determine if surgery is the best option, you must stop strenuous activity and undergo a medical evaluation. It is possible that the ligaments, arteries, or nerves will be damaged in this case. There are many products that can make your recovery easier (I mention them in other articles) that you will probably have to pay out of pocket. Each of these artificial parts is called a prosthesis. Pack a bag if you are staying at the hospital. Toiletries and other hygiene items especially if youll be recovering away from home for a night or more. During your pre-op appointment, youll be checked for any symptoms of an underlying condition or illness such as hypertension, a cardiovascular condition or respiratory concern. Spectacular site! Accessed July 16, 2021. Do all your laundry and change the sheets. This type of procedure usually results in your doctor receiving your results in a matter of days. Knee replacement surgery, like any surgery, carries risks. Will I be in a lot of pain after surgery? When scheduling your surgery, give yourself plenty of time to recover and to work hard at rehabbing your knee. For an easier recovery, experts recommend taking the following steps to prepare your home before surgery. Thanks for the wealth of info! 3. Seven things I wish I knew before knee surgery | Healthlink Complications of total knee arthroplasty. After x-rays and an MRI he advised me that I was a candidate for TKR. When an artificial joint is required to replace a worn-out knee joint, it is referred to as a joint replacement. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. (I may earn a small commission from the products mentioned in this post.). Theres also an increased focus on preventing a re-tear of the ACL after surgery, says Elizabeth Gardner, MD, a Yale Medicine orthopaedic surgeon and head orthopaedic surgeon for Yale University Athletics. 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 Depending on your condition after surgery, some of the most common devices you may need are: Other items that will help you feel more comfortable can include: Walking and moving around the house may be difficult for you in the first days and weeks after your surgery. If you have had a spinal anesthetic or nerve block, the first few days will be extremely difficult to feel in your leg. A reacher can help you grab hard-to-reach things at higher and lower levels. When a patient has been cleared by doctors to resume normal activities, he or she may be able to return to work as a result of the illness. Your coach will: More people in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose the expertise at Norton Orthopedic Institute than any other provider. Bring your walker or crutches to the hospital if you have a broken leg. Give your care team a call. You want to be comfortable, so choose clothes that are loose fitting and practical. Once everything is scheduled, you will be given instructions on how to prepare for the surgery, such as what to eat and drink and when to stop taking certain medications. Your doctors office will give you a booklet and more detailed information, but here are some things to know and do before your procedure. Should I learn to use crutches or a walker before I have the surgery? Theres assistive equipment available to help you do certain activities like walking, getting dressed or using the restroom. If you are thinking about TKR, consider your age as well as fitness level and weight. In fact, it may be 12 weeks or more before you get If the knee's ligaments aren't strong enough to hold the joint together by themselves, the surgeon may choose implants that can be connected so they can't come apart. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-knee-replacement. Common types of medicines patients need to stop taking for a certain amount of time before surgery include: Youll need someone to take you home after your procedure. 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. Preparing meals ahead of time and stocking up on ready-to-eat meals will save your caregivers time and lighten their load. Placing a firm cushion on the seat of the chair can also help when you stand up. Is there anything that I can do before the surgery so it will be more successful for me? The day of the surgery, you will likely be asked to arrive at the hospital early to check in and get ready. Theyre often given with other more familiar pain relievers like paracetamol and ibuprofen, to help keep down the opioid dose. If pain is severe you may be prescribed oral opioid pain relievers in the early days following surgery. 11. I had both of my knees replaced within three months. Bathe with soap given to you during your preadmission testing and follow the instructions. Your knee will talk to you over a period of forty years and sooner or later you begin to listen. 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. You might want to consider wearing sweatpants or workout pants. WebYou may notice that your knee, ankle and/or foot is swollen after surgery. Martin GM, et al. The team at TRIA can help you find resources to make sure you get home comfortably and safely after surgery. Total knee arthroplasty. Your doctor will determine what type of knee replacement is best for you. Less invasive Plan on being a homebody for 3 to 6 months after surgery so that you improve the chances for a good recovery. Choosing a doctor for TKR is much more important. Install a handheld adjustable showerhead attachment for easier bathing, and mount grab bars in the bathtub or shower area and next to the toilet for support, Menacker advises. Ideally, you need to be able to access your bed, a bathroom and the kitchen all on same level, Westrich says. The artificial joint is called a prosthesis. At age 66 I felt I could continue to endure the pain for a few more years. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. We provide a set of headphones to keep your MRI from being too loud. Your body will be prepared for surgery and your overall health will be improved by a physical therapists prescribed regimen of exercises each day. Books, games or something else to keep you entertained while youre waiting for your appointment and recovering. For me, it was time to take the last step, TKR. You may start out on a liquid diet, then slowly start eating regular foods as you can tolerate them. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. This content does not have an Arabic version. Copyright 2023 | My Knee Replacement Recovery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7. What medicines should I take the day of surgery? Thanks to the many friends that I made playing pickleball I learned from several people who had hip and knee replacements locally. The pain did not all come on at once. During the post-op visit one week later, the swelling had decreased by 50%, but the skin still felt tight. Its not uncommon to feel isolated, moody or lonely after surgery, but its important to remember it wont last forever. If you are going to have hip or knee surgery, you should practice walking with a cane, walker, crutches, or wheelchair. To secure the grab bars, make sure they are vertically or horizontally oriented toward the wall. It is also a good idea to have a small backpack or fanny pack in your bag to carry your phone. You will be provided with stretching, strength training, and exercise as part of the rehabilitation process. Total knee arthroplasty. Set up a temporary bed, or sleep on a couch or recliner. Drink plenty of fluids the day before surgery. Dr. Tiberi believes that thorough preoperative preparations prior to knee replacement surgery will result in faster recovery times and better outcomes for his patients. Apply ice to the area for at least 20 minutes to decrease swelling. Mayo Clinic. What else can be done for knee arthritis besides surgery? The right artificial joints and surgical techniques for you depend on your age, weight, activity level, knee size and shape, and overall health. Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. cleansing your skin before surgery. What will my stay in the hospital be like? He was surprised that I was able to walk without excruciating pain let alone participate in the activities that I was involved in. It is also more likely to result in a stroke and bleeding stomach ulcers. Second, you surrender to the fact that you can use some help without visiting a doctor. Your doctor will give you detailed information about what medications you need to stop taking in the days leading up to your surgery. Forty years is a long time to live with a bad knee. If youre healthy, your diet should be healthy; if youre not, your diet should be ineffective. Accessed Nov. 1, 2022. With the benefit of hindsight, several customers shared their experience and what they wish they knew beforehand. What can I do before surgery to make the risks lower? You'll likely get morphine while you're in the hospital and X-rays help show the extent of damage. First, you begin to think of things that you can do personally to make your knee work and feel better. How soon will I be getting up and moving around? If you live alone you need to call on family or friends that can dedicate at least a few weeks to help with your recovery. At TRIA, our pre-op nurses do everything they can to teach you about your surgery and recovery so you feel prepared. I picked their brains and began to make a list of possible doctors. To make your home safer and easier to navigate during recovery, consider doing the following: When you check in for your surgery, you'll be asked to remove your clothes and put on a hospital gown. When it comes to total knee replacement (TKR), it is common for patients to be unaware of the importance of strengthening the knee prior to the procedure. Joint infection is often a difficult diagnosis to make. It is sometimes possible to break the bone surrounding the replacement joint as a result of a minor fall. In the ensuing surgeries I lost an inch of leg length All 11 considerations were important for me. In fact, many surgeons now recommend that patients wait nine to 12 months, sometimes even longer, before returning to their sport. Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and supplements? The last decision I made (and I hope the final decision) was to have TKR. Editorial team. First, you will likely meet with your surgeon to discuss the procedure and what to expect. Here are some guidelines for what you should know before and after knee replacement surgery. Before you consider surgery, your doctor will usually encourage you to try various non-surgical treatments. At TRIA, well help you schedule all your appointments leading up to surgery. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). Plan some extended reading, computer work or other minor household chores and gardening that you can do around the house. As a result of sharing their experiences and regrets, several customers will benefit from having a sense of what they would have done differently. He then took the time to answer my list of questions that I had prepared for him. I would love to play basketball, softball and to be able to run on a regular basis. What to ask your doctor about knee replacement - before; Before knee replacement - doctor questions; Before knee arthroplasty - what to ask your doctor. Knee replacement surgery replaces parts of injured or worn-out knee joints. You might think you can do it on your own but you will need a great deal of help after the surgery. Were here to support you throughout the knee replacement process whether youre having a traditional or a robotic knee replacement. You are going to be doing lots of therapy and movement, so we want you to be in comfortable clothes. The information and reviews presented on this website are my opinions and personal experience. It will not only speed up the healing process, but it will also reduce the risk of complications. Personal care and hygiene items including medications and eye glasses, Living will or power of attorney papers, insurance cards and identification; method of payment if you have a co-pay (check, cash, credit or debit card). 14th ed. The surgery itself is usually done as an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day. again. Based on my research and the opinions of my doctors there are no new innovations and procedures on the horizon. Hip or knee replacement - before - what to ask your doctor. Related: Best Shoes to Wear After Knee Replacement Surgery. Your physiotherapist can provide you with advice on how to proceed. 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. The effects of alcohol and tobacco can complicate your surgery and make recovery more difficult. Depending on the type of knee surgery and on your age, general health, weight and goals, you may need to continue physiotherapy for up to 12 months after surgery. The surgeon might suggest aspirating the knee to look for evidence of infection. unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement. I hope this article will help you to make one of the biggest decisions of your life. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. AARP Membership $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. A.D.A.M. In many cases, video visits and phone visits are available with our pre-op nurses. You may wake up with an IV, oxygen and pulse oximeters to check your oxygen level, a foot/leg pump and compression hose (these help with circulation). Hi Im Ken. Related: Should I Use a Walker, Cane, or Walking Poles After TKR. Are there exercises I should do to make my muscles stronger? You can expect to see your physical therapist 2-3 days per week for 10-14 weeks, depending on your recovery time. I made the big decision to have knee replacement and I havent looked back. For several weeks after the procedure, you might need to use crutches or a walker, so arrange for them before your surgery.