When a person’s knee joint gets damaged, diseased or worn out due to reasons such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, doctors first recommend non-invasive or less-invasive treatment options. These include medications, physical therapy, weight loss and assistive devices like a knee brace or a cane. In case these treatment options do not prove to be helpful, doctors evaluate whether the person is a good candidate for knee joint replacement surgery or not. For this, they consider factors like the patient’s age, overall health, the severity of knee joint pain and inflammation, etc. The procedure of knee joint replacement involves replacing the damaged or injured knee with an artificial or prosthetic joint. With the advancement in medical technology and treatment facilities, the procedure now has a very high success rate. However, it can still take a few months for a person to recover and rehabilitate completely after the surgery. Read on to know more about this treatment option. 

Preparing for the knee joint replacement surgery 

Before the surgery, doctors assess the patient’s overall health status, complete medical history, other health conditions that the patient may have, previous surgeries (if any), allergies, medication the patient is taking, anaesthesia risks, etc. In addition to a physical examination, several diagnostic tests are also performed including blood tests, X-rays and other imaging tests. 

Patients are suggested to prepare for the post-surgery rehabilitation period before going for the surgery. This may include arranging a living space on the ground floor to avoid stairs and arranging crutches or a walker since assistance may be required to walk for a few days after surgery. The doctor and the surgical team will guide the patient and inform them what to expect post-surgery as per their condition and health status so that the patient can prepare accordingly. 

What to expect post knee joint replacement surgery? 

Stiffness and pain in the knee are the most common conditions observed post-surgery. The doctor may prescribe painkillers for the pain and physical therapy to relieve the stiffness. Complications like bleeding, infection and blood clot formation can occur after any such medical procedure. Complications associated with knee replacement surgery are nerve damage in the knee, a stroke, a heart attack, breathing problems caused by the anaesthesia, the wearing out of the artificial knee over time, etc. However, the chances of these complications are quite rare as the medical processes and technology have improved a lot over time. Nonetheless, patients are suggested to contact their doctor in case they experience chills, fever, increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness or soreness in the knee, and/or drainage from the surgical scar. 

Conclusion 

The wearing out of the knee joint is a lifestyle and age-related condition, thus, is quite common among elderly people nowadays. A physical injury and other such conditions can also lead to knee problems that may require knee replacement surgery at any age. The surgery is now a quite safe and effective treatment plan to perform. Also, HJ Hospitals is proud to perform live total knee replacement surgery for the first time. So, if you or any of your loved ones have been suggested to go for medical procedures such as knee joint replacement or total elbow replacement, consult the doctors at HJ Hospitals for a second opinion and access the best of healthcare facilities with us. Contact us now to schedule your appointment.