Planning Your Knee Surgery with Confidence

What were you doing in 1968? Tackling the quarterback on the opposing high school football team? Dancing to Aretha Franklin's top 100 Billboard hit, Think? Watching the first season of NBC's Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In? Answering the call to United States military duty? Working hard to raise a family?

Even if you weren't born yet in 1968 when the first total knee replacement surgery occurred, it might help your life now. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says over 90% of patients getting this joint surgery today, enjoy participating in daily activities with much less or no pain.

Who Needs This Surgery?

Even though the AAOS says most people are age 60 and up when having a knee replaced., even young teens with juvenile arthritis benefit from this surgery. Based on each person's own pain and disability, the doctor and patient decide whether or not it is necessary.

You should consider consulting an orthopedic surgeon, if you can answer yes to any of these questions: Does your knee limit your ability to get in and out of chairs, use the stairs, or walk? Do you have knee pain either day or night? Is the knee swelling when you do most any daily activity and does not go away quickly with rest or medication? Do you have problems bending or straightening the leg? Is anti-inflammation pain medicine, like ibuprofen and aspirin, not helping your knee pain? Have you tried other therapies that are not helping anymore, like physical therapy, acupuncture or cortisone shots? There may be other reasons to get total knee replacement surgery, decided on individual basis.

How to Prepare

Joint replacement surgery is a serious decision and procedure not to be taken lightly. To make sure the patient not only really needs the surgery, but is also healthy enough for surgery, he gets a physical exam, x-rays and blood tests, and may need other diagnostic tests.

Simple things can be done around the house to make your recovery easier, if you get them done before your surgery takes place. Let family and friends know when surgery is taking place. You'll need help for a few weeks after surgery with daily activities like bathing, cooking and laundry. You won't be able to drive right away, so you'll need help with errands like grocery shopping.

Pick up any loose rugs around the house, like those that might be at the kitchen sink or in the bathroom, so you don't slip or trip. Prevent problems going up and down stairs by making sure everything you need is on one floor. You'll need a comfortable, firmly cushioned chair with secure arms and a footstool to elevate your leg. Put a small bench or chair in the shower, and if you don't have something stable to hold onto already, add a handrail in the tub or by the toilet.

Patient Experience

Glenn is 86 years young and his right knee joint was replaced several years ago. I asked him, "What is most important thing to do in planning for this surgery?"

He said, "It's all mental. Make up your mind you're getting up."

Glenn's positive attitude carries him into 2011, as he prepares for his other knee to be replaced early in the year. Having a mindset like his, along with following doctor and physical therapist orders before and after surgery, is bound to get a knee surgery patient up and into daily life sooner than later.

Sources:

Knee Replacement, AAOS
Glenn, knee replacement patient, personal interview on 12/26/2010 by Lynn Pritchett

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only. Nothing published here replaces individual patient diagnosis, examination, or treatment from a licensed medical care provider for this or any medical issue.