Knee replacement surgery is an important decision that must be made after considering several factors. Below are five key aspects to keep in mind. Read on below!
Knee pain is a common concern faced by millions of people in India and across the world. This persistent pain can create disturbances in our daily activities like walking, going outdoors, and climbing stairs. It is essential not to neglect this pain as it can significantly affect your quality of life. Knee replacement surgery is an effective solution that provides relief to those suffering from severe knee pain. The decision to undergo knee replacement surgery is a crucial one and should be taken after considering several factors such as the severity of your symptoms, your age and overall health, the type of implants used, the risks and complications involved, and the expected recovery time.
Dr Anup Khatri, Senior Consultant, Orthopaedics, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, spoke to India.com and shared five essential things to keep in mind before undergoing knee replacement surgery.
What you should know before knee replacement surgery
- Severity of symptoms: Before making a crucial decision like knee replacement surgery, it is important to understand the severity of your symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms like knee stiffness, restricted mobility, and severe pain, in some cases, mild knee pain can be effectively managed through nonsurgical methods such as certain lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and medications.
- The type of knee replacement surgery and implants used: After evaluating your knee pain and the severity of your condition, your doctor may suggest total knee replacement surgery or partial knee replacement surgery. In TKR, the knee joint is successfully replaced with an artificial knee implant. The type of implant your doctor will use may vary from person to person depending on their medical condition. Talk to your doctor before surgery to discuss which implant is best for your condition and why.
- Risks and Complications: Just like any other surgery, knee replacement surgery has certain risks and complications during the procedure. This can lead to multiple health complications such as blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), wound infection, serious nerve or tissue damage, implant wear, unexpected bleeding in the knee joint, and blood loss. People are advised to discuss the risks beforehand with their doctor for a successful outcome.
- Age and health status: Age is a key factor that can easily influence your decision to undergo knee replacement surgery. Knee replacement is usually recommended for people over the age of 55 with severe knee osteoarthritis. People aged 50 or younger should be cautious and weigh the potential benefits and risk factors associated with this surgery. People with certain health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk of developing complications during surgery and the post-recovery phase.
- Recovery Time: People are advised to take necessary precautions and utmost care to heal the surgical wound quickly. This includes collective efforts like physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, exercise regimens and following appropriate medication treatments. Recovery time may vary between 3 to 8 months.
