How Will Total Knee Replacement Surgery Effect My Life?
Knee replacement surgery can make a big difference in your life, but it will not change your whole life. When making the decision to have knee surgery or not, it is important to keep your expectations of the outcome realistic.
With more than 90 percent of knee replacement recipients reporting markedly reduced pain and dramatically improved mobility, this is a very popular and successful surgical procedure. While it can surely improve your life, it is important to understand that it will not give you any abilities you did not have before the surgery. It will simply give you a non-diseased knee that will allow you to perform your activities of daily living relatively pain free.
Actually, if you were active in high-impact, strenuous sports before your knee became diseased or damaged, you would be wise not to return to them. To properly care for your knee replacement, you must avoid jogging and stressful, strenuous sports.
Furthermore, you must understand that your knee replacement will be subject to normal wear and tear. Overuse will accelerate this. The plastic cushion may become worn, which in turn will cause your knee replacement to loosen and become painful. For this reason, it is wise to use your knee carefully to protect it and extend its life.
Click here for more on evaluating orthopedic injuries .
During an orthopedic evaluation, you can expect the following:
A medical history covering your general health condition and the symptoms you are experiencing with your diseased/damaged knee will be taken.
Physical Examination: To assess the strength, stability and ROM (range of motion) of your knee as well as the alignment of your leg.
The degree of damage and deformity present in the knee will be determined by x-ray.
A variety of tests, including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), blood tests, and bone scan will be conducted to determine the condition of the soft tissues and bones of your knee as well as your general physical condition.
After your evaluation, you will have a consultation with your orthopedic surgeon to go over the results. He or she will review the options: Total knee replacement or other surgery, injections, physical therapy, or medication. Together, you will determine a course of action that will resolve your pain and mobility issues.
Your orthopedic surgeon will also explain the risks that are involved in the surgery, as well as the rehabilitation period and living with a total knee replacement.
Knee replacement surgery can make a big difference in your life, but it will not change your whole life. When making the decision to have knee surgery or not, it is important to keep your expectations of the outcome realistic.
With more than 90 percent of knee replacement recipients reporting markedly reduced pain and dramatically improved mobility, this is a very popular and successful surgical procedure. While it can surely improve your life, it is important to understand that it will not give you any abilities you did not have before the surgery. It will simply give you a non-diseased knee that will allow you to perform your activities of daily living relatively pain free.
Actually, if you were active in high-impact, strenuous sports before your knee became diseased or damaged, you would be wise not to return to them. To properly care for your knee replacement, you must avoid jogging and stressful, strenuous sports.
Furthermore, you must understand that your knee replacement will be subject to normal wear and tear. Overuse will accelerate this. The plastic cushion may become worn, which in turn will cause your knee replacement to loosen and become painful. For this reason, it is wise to use your knee carefully to protect it and extend its life.
Click here for more on evaluating orthopedic injuries .
During an orthopedic evaluation, you can expect the following:
A medical history covering your general health condition and the symptoms you are experiencing with your diseased/damaged knee will be taken.
Physical Examination: To assess the strength, stability and ROM (range of motion) of your knee as well as the alignment of your leg.
The degree of damage and deformity present in the knee will be determined by x-ray.
A variety of tests, including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), blood tests, and bone scan will be conducted to determine the condition of the soft tissues and bones of your knee as well as your general physical condition.
After your evaluation, you will have a consultation with your orthopedic surgeon to go over the results. He or she will review the options: Total knee replacement or other surgery, injections, physical therapy, or medication. Together, you will determine a course of action that will resolve your pain and mobility issues.
Your orthopedic surgeon will also explain the risks that are involved in the surgery, as well as the rehabilitation period and living with a total knee replacement.
About the Author:
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, knee surgeon and ACL reconstruction.
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