If you're qld knee surgery clinic pain that doesn't respond to medications or physical therapy, you may want to consider knee replacement surgery. This common procedure can reduce knee pain and get you back to your normal routine.
Your doctor may order X-rays to examine your knee joint and determine whether surgery is appropriate for you. Before deciding on surgery, it's important to research your options and make sure you are fully informed about the procedure.
Getting Started
If you’ve been dealing with knee pain and are looking for a way to get back on your feet, talk to your health care provider about total knee replacement. It’s a common and effective procedure that can reduce pain, improve mobility, and return you to your normal activities.
Your doctor will help you prepare for your surgery and make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Your pre-operative appointment will include detailed X-rays, an orthopaedic examination and a thorough discussion about the surgery.
The day of your operation, you will be positioned on the operating table and given general, regional or femoral nerve block anesthesia to prevent any pain during the surgery. Then, your doctor will make an incision in your knee area and insert the new knee joint.
Pre-Operative Evaluation
Getting your knee surgery performed safely requires a thorough pre-operative evaluation. This includes a complete medical history, physical examination, and specialized testing when needed.
Your doctor will review your medical history to look for problems that could affect your surgery, such as previous surgeries, a history of infection or other chronic conditions, and current medications. This will help your surgeon create a personalized surgical plan to reduce your risk of complications and enhance your recovery.
Your doctor will perform blood tests, urine analysis, and chest X-rays to ensure your safety during surgery. You may also be referred to a specialist for further testing, such as a hematologist or cardiologist.
Preparation for Surgery
Preparing for surgery is important to help you have a successful outcome. It also helps to lessen stress on you and your family in the lead up to the procedure.
A good knee surgery clinic will have a detailed pre-operative evaluation that assesses your general health and medical status before the operation. Your doctor will then forward this information to the orthopedic surgeon who will be performing the procedure.
In a typical knee replacement surgery, your orthopedic surgeon makes an incision over the knee, removes damaged bone and cartilage, and implants the prosthetic components into the thighbone, shinbone and kneecap.
A physical therapist will work with you to begin exercise in the hospital and then continue it at home or at a specialized rehabilitation facility. These exercises will strengthen your leg muscles and restore your knee motion to allow you to move your new joint.
During Surgery
The operative procedure at knee surgery clinic involves removal of damaged cartilage and bone in the knee joint. Then a replacement implant is placed.
The procedure is typically performed under either epidural or spinal anesthesia. It generally takes between one to three hours, depending on the complexity of the knee arthritis problem.
During the surgery, your surgeon makes an incision along the front of your leg, removes the damaged cartilage and bone and places the knee implant. Next, the incision is closed using stitches or staples.
Post-Operative Care
The knee surgery clinic provides care to help you recover from your surgery. This includes teaching you how to manage your pain and getting the rest you need to take care of yourself.
Your doctor may also recommend that you have a family member or friend come to the hospital to help you with your recovery. This person can take care of your wounds, prepare food, and provide support while you are recovering.
You may be released to home the same day as surgery, or you may stay in the hospital for a few days or weeks. Patients who get up and bear some weight (with assistance) on their new knees soon after surgery tend to recover faster than those who do not.