Qld knee surgery clinic on the treatment of knee injuries and disorders. Our surgeons and their physiotherapists work together to help you recover from knee pain and restore normal function.
A common type of knee surgery involves arthroscopy, which uses a camera and other small surgical tools to examine the joint. It is a minimally invasive procedure that offers many benefits over traditional surgery, such as less bleeding and smaller incisions.
Pre-operative assessment
The pre-operative assessment process at the knee surgery clinic begins with a medical history and physical exam. The information gathered allows the clinical team to create a tailored plan for your surgical procedure.
The evaluation also identifies risk factors that may increase your surgical risk and help you prepare for a successful recovery. These include advanced age, respiratory and cardiac disease, malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, and smoking.
Your doctor will review these risks and discuss your treatment options with you, such as medication and lifestyle changes. These modifications can have a positive impact on your surgical results.
The team at Brooklyn Health Medical Alliance will also review your skin condition and circulation, check for any dental issues such as gum disease, and determine how well your soft tissues are working. This will help the surgical team ensure a safe operation and a good outcome.
Surgical procedure
In some cases of knee arthritis, surgery may be needed to relieve symptoms and delay the onset of long-term wear and tear on the joint. This procedure is commonly known as a knee osteotomy and involves cutting the tibia (shin bone) or femur (thigh bone) to relieve pressure on the joint.
During the surgery, we use arthroscopic technology to make the necessary repairs. Using small incisions, we insert a special instrument called an arthroscope which allows us to examine the inside of your knee and see the damaged area clearly.
This procedure can be used for a wide variety of knee conditions including torn meniscus, torn anterior cruciate ligament, inflamed synovium and damaged articular cartilage. It can also be used for a variety of other problems like loose fragments of bone or cartilage, patella (kneecap) problems and knee sepsis (infection). Knee arthritis treatments are often combined with physical therapy to help control swelling and increase movement of the knee.
Post-operative care
Post-operative care is necessary to ensure that patients recover safely after surgery. It involves checking for signs of infection and ensuring that drains, IVs and other instruments left in place are working properly.
Physical therapy is also important to promote healing and speed up recovery. Your therapist will show you exercises and movements that will help get the blood flowing in your knee and strengthen the surrounding muscles.
In the first week, physical therapy focuses on regaining motion and strengthening the knee. This is important for a quick return to regular activity.
It is also important for the patient to avoid pain and swelling by elevating their operated leg and keeping the incision clean and dry. They should wear sequential compression stockings until they can ambulate independently, and take their pain medications as prescribed.
Recovery
After surgery, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure a fast recovery. Keeping active and staying fit will help your knee heal faster, so you’ll feel better and get back to your normal routine sooner.
It’s also important to avoid activities that put stress on your knee, including high-impact sports. Stay away from running, basketball, tennis and jogging until after you’ve been in rehab for at least 6 weeks.
The first few weeks of recovery after a knee replacement usually involve a lot of rest and limited movement. This is especially important for elderly patients who may be at risk of falls.
After the first few days, most patients are able to bend their knees at 70 degrees. Your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to start bending your knee without pain or swelling.