Why is this procedure done?
The knee joint is the largest joint in the body and has a number of parts. Cartilage covers parts of the joint in a normal knee. This smooth tissue lets the joint move easily. The cartilage can become worn and cause bone to rub on other bone. This might happen from damage due to wear and tear over time or from an injury. This often leads to pain, stiffness, and trouble walking. Sometimes, drugs and exercises can help you control the pain. When they stop working, you may need knee joint replacement (arthroplasty) surgery. ‚
The doctor replaces your diseased or injured knee joint with a new one. Metal and plastic parts replace your natural knee joint. ‚
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What will the results be?
- Less pain
- More movement in your knee
- Easier to walk and do other daily activities
What happens before the procedure?
- A few weeks before the surgery, your doctor may have you:
- Start an exercise program.
- Start a weight loss program if you are overweight.
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor may do:
- X-ray ¢ ˆ ’ used to take pictures inside your body, most likely bones
- MRI scan ¢ ˆ ’ uses magnetic waves to take pictures inside your body
- CT scan ¢ ˆ ’ type of x-ray that uses a computer to take pictures inside your body
You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an IV in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
- Your doctor will make a 6 to 8-inch cut in your knee.
- Your doctor will remove all the damaged parts of the knee and replace them with man-made parts. These are implants or prostheses. The doctor will use special cements to attach the new parts.
- In most cases, this procedure takes about 2 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room for a few hours. The staff will watch you closely. You will get drugs to help you with the pain.
- The staff will put ice on your knee to help with pain and swelling.
- You may start using a special exercise machine the day after surgery. It will help you move your knee slowly. This will help keep your knee from getting stiff. It will also keep the blood flowing and lower swelling. Within a day or two you will get out of bed into a chair. The staff will help you begin to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear.
- Most of the time, you will start physical therapy (PT) the same day. Sometimes, you start the day after surgery. Your doctor will let you know how much weight you can put on your operated leg. You will need to use a device to help you walk, such as a walker. Most people stay in the hospital for 2 to 4 days. Some people need more therapy before going home. A short stay in rehab or skilled nursing facility will often help.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
- Prevent blood clots
What problems could happen?
- Fracture
- Nerve or blood vessel injury
- Bleeding
- Leg not the same length as the other leg
- Blood clot or DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
- Lung infection
- Infection
- Stiff joints
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Keep a healthy weight and lead an active lifestyle. These can help lessen the stress put on your knee joint. ‚
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00221 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚