Total or partial knee replacement can turn out to be very helpful for people who are suffering from knee arthritis. If you have chronic knee arthritis and other nonsurgical treatments haven’t provided any relief, then it might be time to consider partial knee surgery. Planning for surgery is always stressful. Therefore, we’ve addressed some of the most frequently asked questions that you should ask your physician when considering knee surgery.
What type of surgery will benefit me?
There are different factors that determine the kind of surgery you should undergo; some of these factors might be your age, your overall physical condition, damage to your knee, and lastly, your surgeon’s expertise. Below are some of the surgical procedures that doctors recommend.
Partial Knee Replacement
Partial knee replacement involves replacing only one of the knee’s three “sections”: outer knee, inner knee, or the front of the knee.
Knee Osteotomy
If you’re younger than 60, then knee osteotomy might be the right knee treatment for you. People who’ve opted for knee osteotomy are usually active individuals whose poor knee alignment has caused much wear and tear on just one side of the knee joint, which is a condition called asymmetrical knee arthritis or unilateral knee arthritis.
Total Knee Replacement
As the same suggests, this surgery involves placing two prosthetic pieces in the knee area. These pieces are made of either metal or a long-lasting plastic called polyethylene. Once they are placed, they move against each other, creating a functional knee joint.
Are there any possible complications?
Complications can happen at any time during or after the procedure. Therefore, it is important that you should ask about it before undergoing the procedure. Common complications that can occur might include blood clots, tissue damage to the surrounding knee area, and infections. Pain is probably the most common complication that follows partial or complete knee replacement surgery.
Don’t expect to not feel pain at all during the initial six months post surgery, but if you’re feeling chronic pain during the initial six months, then you should get your knee checked by the doctor who performed the surgery.
Is there anything I should do before the procedure?
Your surgeon might suggest you do some weight training exercises to strengthen your muscles that support the surrounding of your knee. Your surgeon might also ask you to quit smoking or lose some weight.
How long until I am completely healed?
The answer to this question varies from one patient to another because every person has their own healing time. Then again, there are standard healing periods associated with every procedure; for example, partial knee replacement treatment can take up to 5 to 6 weeks for the knee to completely heal. A total knee replacement might take up to 6 to 8 weeks, but complete recovery might take longer.
You need to have realistic expectations about knee surgery; therefore, it is important to discuss all the options with your surgeon. You can also ask questions like when you will resume sports activities, when will your pain go away, and what happens if you decide to delay the surgery for a year?
If you’re looking for a highly skilled and talented orthopedic doctor in Denver, then you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Presley Swann is a fellowship-trained professional who will go the extra mile in taking away the pain from your life. Dr. Swann is trained in robotic, ACL-preserving partial and total knee replacement surgery in Denver! He is also a specialist in hip dysplasia surgery, hip resurfacing, and periacetabular osteotomy. Head over to his knee and hip preservation center or reach out to him over the phone, and he’ll make sure to help you in every way that’ll bring comfort to your life.
