What to expect from knee replacement operation

Knee replacement operation

Outcome of  Knee Replacement operation

An important factor in deciding whether to have total knee replacement operation is understanding what the operation can and can't do. More than 90 percent of individuals who undergo knee replacement surgery experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in their ability to perform the common activities of daily living. However, knee replacement surgery will not enable you to do more than you could before your knee problem developed. For example if you could not run for before your knee problem started, do not expect to do so after your surgery. Following surgery, you will be advised to avoid certain activities for the rest of your life including jogging and high-impact sports.

Even with normal use and activities, an artificial joint (prosthesis) develops minimal wear over time. If you decide to participate in high-impact activities or are over-weight, this wear may accelerate and cause the prosthesis to loosen and become painful. With appropriate activity modification, knee replacement can last several years.

After surgery, make sure you also do the following:

Participate in regular light exercise programs to maintain proper trength and mobility of your new knee.

take special precautions to avoid falls and injuries.

Notify your dentist that you had a knee replacement. You should be given antibiotics before all dental surgery for the rest of your life.

See your orthopaedic surgeon periodically for a routine follow-up examination and X-rays, usually once a year.

Knee Replacement Operation

Preparing for Surgery

Medical Evaluation If you decide to have knee replacement surgery, you may be asked to have a medical assessment before your surgery. This is needed to assess your health and find conditions that could interfere with your surgery or recovery. This will also correct any abnormalities such as high blood pressure and can detect conditions previously undiagnosed like diabetes.
Tests Blood tests, a cardiogram, 2-D echo of heart, chest X-ray, urine examination will be needed. Occasionally, assessment of blood circulation in your leg is necessary with Doppler ultrasound scan.

Medications Tell your orthopaedic surgeon about the medications you are taking. He will advise you which medications you should stop or can continue taking before surgery.

Weight Loss If you are overweight, you may be asked to try to lose some weight before surgery to reduce the stress on your new knee joint. 

Dental Evaluation Although infections after knee replacement are not common, an infection can occur if bacteria enter your bloodstream. Since bacteria can enter the bloodstream during dental procedures, treatment of significant dental diseases (including tooth extractions and periodontal work) should be considered before your knee replacement surgery.

Urinary Evaluation Individuals with a history of recent or frequent urinary infections should consider a urological evaluation before knee operation. Older men with prostate disease should consider a urologic evaluation and treatment before having knee replacement surgery.

Social Planning Although you will be able to walk with crutches or a walker soon after surgery, you will need some help for several weeks with such tasks as cooking, shopping, bathing.

Blood Donation Normally two units of blood needs to be kept ready for transfusion during or after operation. Blood bank will require replacement donations from patient’s relatives and friends.

Preparing Your Skin Your skin should not have any infections or irritations before surgery.


Surgical Procedure

The surgery itself takes about 90 minutes. However preparation and anaesthesia before surgery and recovery after surgery will keep you in operation theatre for about three hours. Your orthopaedic surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage and bone surface, then position a new metal and plastic joint surfaces to restore the alignment and function of your knee.

Many different types of designs and materials are currently used in artificial knee joints. These consist of two basic components: the femoral component (made of a highly polished strong metal), the tibial component (made of durable plastic held in a metal tray), and a patellar component (also plastic). Special surgical cement will be used to fill the gap between the prosthesis and remaining bone to secure the artificial joint.

After surgery, you will be moved to the recovery room where you will remain for one to two hours while the recovery from anesthesia is monitored. After you awaken fully, you will be taken to your hospital room.


Care After Surgery

Your Stay in the Hospital 

Your hospital stay will vary depending on your recovery and walking. It normally varies from 7 to 14 days after surgery.
After surgery, you will feel some pain in your knee. Pain medication will be given to make you as comfortable as possible. To avoid lung congestion after surgery, you will be asked to breathe deeply and cough frequently. Frequently, a thin plastic tube (epidural catheter) is inserted close to your spinal cord while giving spinal anaesthesia. This catheter is maintained for a few days after surgery and pain-relieving injections are given through this tube. Leg exercises are started as soon as you are comfortable.

You will have no plaster on your knee but a bulky dressing will be applied for after surgery. On second day after surgery, the dressing is changed, any drain tubes are removed and a small dressing is applied. Knee bending is then started.

As soon as you have regained your thigh muscle power, you can commence walking. Most knee replacement patients begin standing and walking with the help of a walking support and a physiotherapist, 4 to 5 days after surgery. The physiotherapist will teach you specific exercises to strengthen your muscles and restore movement in your knee for walking and other normal daily activities.

Possible Complications After Surgery

The complication rate following knee replacement surgery is low. Serious complications, such as joint infection, occur in less than 2 percent of patients. Major medical complications, such as heart attack or stroke, occur even less frequently. However, chronic illnesses may increase the potential for complications. Although uncommon, when these complications occur they can prolong or limit your full recovery.

Occasionally, blood clots may form in the leg veins or pelvis. Your orthopaedic surgeon may prescribe one or more measures to prevent blood clots from forming in your leg veins, such as special support hose, inflatable leg coverings, and blood thinning medications.

Your Recovery at Home

The success of your surgery will depend in large measure on how well you follow your orthopaedic surgeon's instructions regarding home care during the first few weeks after surgery
Wound Care You will have stitches or staples running along your wound. The stitches or staples will be removed about two weeks after surgery. Avoid getting the wound wet until it has thoroughly sealed and dried. A bandage may be placed over the wound to prevent irritation from clothing or support stockings.

Diet Some loss of appetite is common for a few days after surgery. A balanced diet, often with an iron supplement, is important to promote proper tissue healing and restore muscle strength. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Activity : Exercise is a critical component of home care, particularly during the first few weeks after surgery. You should be able to resume most normal light activities of daily living within three to six weeks following surgery. Some discomfort with activity, and at night, is common for several weeks


Activity Schedule

A graduated walking program initially in your home and later outside.

Walking program to slowly increase your mobility and endurance.

Resuming other normal household activities.

Resuming sitting, standing, walking up and down stairs.

Specific exercises several times a day to restore movement.

Specific exercises several times a day to strengthen your leg muscles.

You may wish to have a physiotherapist to help you at home.