Common Questions Patients Have About Joint Replacement Surgery

Deciding whether to undergo orthopedic surgery, especially total knee replacement, requires careful consideration and a comprehensive understanding of the procedure and recovery process. If you are experiencing chronic knee pain or arthritis that hasn't responded to non-invasive treatments like medication and physical therapy, discussing joint replacement surgery with your experts at orthopaedic clinic in Delhi is very important. 

Reasons for Total Knee Replacement

There are different reasons why your doctor might recommend total knee replacement for you. The reasons might include experiencing knee pain while at rest to dealing with chronic inflammation or swelling of the knee joint. You can go for knee replacement surgery if you experience severe knee pain or stiffness that greatly limits your daily activities like walking, climbing stairs or sitting down.

Understanding the Knee Joint

You must know that your knee functions at a hinge joint allowing your bones to move back and forth with limited motion in other directions. It is a complex joint composed of three main bones like femur tibia and Patella. In a healthy knee Cartilage covers your bones providing you smooth movement and acting like a shock absorber but in arthritic knees the cartilage breaks down resulting in bone on bone contact that causes pain, stiffness and swelling. You need to know that arthritis and overuse injuries are common causes of chronic knee pain.

Questions to ask before your Joint Replacement Surgery

What is knee replacement?

You need to ask what replacement surgery is all about. It is a surgery that is a common and effective procedure aimed at helping you get rid of pain and restore your functionality. The surgery includes replacing your arthritic joint surfaces with prosthetic components made of metal and plastic.

Partial versus total knee replacement which is best for you?

Whether you require partial or totally replacement will depend on the condition of your knee and which parts are affected. While plenty of people undergo total knee replacement some cases can only require replacing a specific section of your name. Partial knee replacements basically offer you quick recovery time but it might not be completely suitable for you if you have osteoarthritis of the knee.

Preoperative instructions for total knee replacement what should you know?

Before surgery you need to maintain a healthy weight balanced diet and regular exercise to prepare your body for the procedure. You need to undergo pre surgery assessments to ensure that your overall health including basic lab tests and any evaluations of heart and lung function are proper. Furthermore educational sessions with the surgeons or the assistance provide you detailed instructions on pre and post surgery care.

Strengthening exercises before surgery can you build muscle around the joint?

When you engage in low impact exercises like walking, using the elliptical can help you strengthen your muscles around the knee joint before the surgery. But you need to avoid high impact movements as it might worsen your pain or discomfort.

When can you return to mile sports and activities?

You can resume to mild sports and activities three to four months after the surgery depending on the activity. No doubt walking and hiking are safe but running might not be recommended because of the stress it places on your joints.

How long will you need assistance after the surgery?

You can benefit from having assistance for the first week post surgery. Independence can increase with time but having someone nearby for support is very important during the process.

How long will your knee replacement last?

The knee replacement implants are durable with advancements in technology prolonging the lifespan to 15 to 20 years for most of the patients. You need to follow post surgery instructions and engage in regular low impact exercises that can help you protect your implant and ensure long term success.

In short you need to know that to tell me replacement surgery is a great option for you if you are experiencing chronic knee pain or arthritis which has not responded to noninvasive treatments.