A Knee surgery Cleveland is a common surgery that can improve your quality of life. It can also help reduce pain and disability caused by knee arthritis.
Before you get the operation you'll meet with a health care professional to discuss your needs and concerns. You'll talk about recovery and arrangements for returning home. You'll also meet with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist to plan your rehabilitation.
Preparation
The knee joint is a complex joint with bones, articular cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and blood vessels. A knee replacement is a major surgery that involves removing damaged bone and replacing it with artificial parts.
During knee arthroscopy, your orthopaedic surgeon will make several small incisions called portals to access the knee joint. A sterile solution is then used to fill the knee joint and rinse away any cloudy fluid.
Next, a special arthroscope is inserted into the knee to see the inside of the joint clearly and in detail. Your orthopaedic surgeon will then insert tiny surgical instruments through these portals to perform the procedure.
After the arthroscopy, you may be given anesthesia to numb your knee and reduce pain. A knee prosthesis is then positioned and anchored in place. This is a complex operation that requires considerable experience in total knee replacement. It is critical that the implants fit well against the knee bones and align with the knee ligaments so you can feel good about your surgery.
Surgery
A knee replacement (also called knee arthroplasty) is a surgical procedure that replaces the damaged joint with an artificial one made of plastic or metal. It is the most common operation for people with severe osteoarthritis of the knee, which causes pain, swelling and mobility problems.
Knee surgery is often done under general or spinal anesthesia to numb your lower body. It usually takes about two hours.
You can go home between one and four days after the operation. You may need to make arrangements for wound care and follow-up appointments.
Your doctor or nurse will give you a prescription for pain medication. These include opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and acetaminophen.
You should also move your leg, elevate it to increase blood flow and wear support stockings. This is to help prevent blood clots in your legs, which can be life-threatening if they break free and travel to your lungs.
Recovery
Recovery from knee surgery can be a long process. It is important to follow the instructions of your doctor, physical therapist and rehabilitation team.
It is also important to keep up with the exercises your therapist prescribes and wear the knee brace if you are given one. Doing so can help the knee recover faster and prevent it from becoming weaker.
Four to six weeks after your surgery: Within this period, you may walk without the aid of a cane, walker or crutches for 10 minutes or more at a time. Your physical therapist will encourage you to walk further distances and reduce the use of assistive devices.
Depending on your surgeon’s instructions, you will probably be discharged home in a few days or weeks after your surgery. Your medical team will explain the dos and don’ts of home care and give you specific information about getting around in your home.
Post-operative care
Post-operative care for knee surgery is important to ensure you recover quickly and smoothly. During this time, you will be given pain medications to control discomfort and minimize swelling.
You will also be prescribed antibiotics to ward off infection after surgery. You may also be given blood thinners to help prevent blood clots.
Your surgeon will also prescribe exercises to increase mobility in your knee and leg. These are usually started the day after surgery.
In addition, you may be given elastic compression stockings to keep the blood from pooling in your legs. These help reduce the chance of blood clots, which are common in people with knee replacements.
A physical therapist will teach you and help you follow a rehabilitation plan. This can include walking specific distances several times a day, doing stretches and exercises. You will need to adhere to your rehab plan for the first three months after surgery to achieve full recovery and optimal results.