About this topic
Many people suffer from a type of arthritis called osteoarthritis. Over time, the cartilage which helps our joints move can wear down and cause the bones to rub against each other. This causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of movement. ‚
The knee is made up of three parts. These are also called compartments. For some patients, only one or two parts of the joint are affected by osteoarthritis. Partial knee resurfacing is surgery to replace only the part of the knee joint that is damaged, not the whole knee. This also spares the healthy bone and tissue near the joint from being damaged. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- You may need to have someone help you at home for the first few weeks.
- Protect your leg from injury. Keep your house safe and clutter-free. Be sure to use your crutches or walker if you have them. Do not put too much weight on your injured leg.
- Sit or lie with your leg above the heart level. This will help with swelling and pain.
- Place an ice pack wrapped in a towel or plastic bag over the painful part 4 to 6 times per day for the first couple of days. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- How to care for your cut sites
- When you may take a bath or shower
- When you can go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Some people are not ready to go straight home after surgery. You may need to go to a rehab or skilled nursing facility for more therapy.
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- When you are able to leave your home, you may need more physical therapy (PT) at an outpatient clinic.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
- An x-ray test may be taken at the doctors office after surgery to check on how the bones are healing.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- You will need to use a device to help you walk, such as a walker or crutches. Follow your doctors orders on how much weight you can put on your operated leg. This can range from no weight-bearing to full weight-bearing.
- You will be able to do more as you get stronger. Your physical therapist can talk with you about a walking program. Most often, you should limit stair climbing to one flight of stairs per day when you first return home.
- Your weight, level of daily activity, and bone health will play a role in how long your implant will last. Also, having the implant in the right position and lined up the right way will give it a longer life.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Stiff joints
- Not able to get the implant in the best position
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain, more pain or swelling in your leg, pain in the calf. These could be signs that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Pain is not helped by taking drugs
- Your toes or foot look dark in color or feel cool to the touch
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more pain or swelling or my toes or foot looks dark or feels cool.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00405 ‚
Arthritis Foundation ‚
http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=32 ‚
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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚