Knee replacement surgery aims to relieve severe pain and restore full function of the knee. These issues are often caused by severe injuries that damage the knee’s structures or due to chronic conditions, such as arthritis. Knee replacement surgery involves removing damaged joint components from the knee and replacing them with prosthetic pieces. The prosthetic pieces are often made of polymers, high-grade plastics, and metal alloys, and they take on the responsibilities of the knee components they replace. People who decide to undergo this surgery do so because they have a reduced quality of life and an inability to be independent and pain-free. They face issues such as difficulty walking, going up and down stairs, and performing simple chores and tasks that require them to stand or walk.
Knee replacement surgery can help fix all these issues with a permanent solution.
What to Expect After Knee Replacement
If you are interested in getting a knee replacement surgery, you should learn more about what to expect after the procedure.
The total recovery time from knee replacement surgery can be anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on your overall health, the exact procedure performed, any complications that may have happened, and your recovery speed.
The hospital stay after your surgery will usually be 1 to 4 days. Knee replacements may also be done on an outpatient basis. However, not everyone qualifies for an outpatient procedure. Some people only need partial knee replacements, while others need full knee replacements. Some people are healthier than others. Finally, some people have complications during or after surgery. All of these factors will contribute to the length of your hospital stay. Therefore, you should have a discussion with your surgeon on what the best course of action is for you in terms of the hospital stay.
Before being discharged, there are some goals you must accomplish. They include getting out of bed by yourself, walking with crutches or an assistive device, ensuring there were no complications with the surgery, and confirming you can perform physical therapist-prescribed home exercises. If you are unable to accomplish these, your doctor may recommend you to temporarily transfer to a rehabilitation center and allow yourself to get used to the new knee.
You can expect to stay home and rest for at least a few weeks after knee replacement surgery. However, this does not mean 24-hour bed rest. You are encouraged to walk around and move your knee as much as possible, but in a safe way. Once your wound heals a bit, your surgeon will recommend you begin physical therapy. This will help you heal faster by get your blood to circulate better in the affected knee.
Physical therapy is a critical part of your post-surgery recovery. It will help you get stronger, more flexible, and mobile. Physical therapy also helps relieve pain and can help shorten your recovery period. You can expect to do physical therapy for several weeks after your procedure. The longer you do physical therapy, the better your results will be.
Knee Replacement Surgery in Clinton Township, Michigan
If you are interested in learning more about knee replacement surgery and if it is the right procedure for you, visit the experts at Movement Orthopedics today. We have a wealth of experience treating knee pain using nonsurgical and surgical solutions.
To learn more about our services or to set an appointment, call us at (586) 436-3785 or request an appointment now.
