Knee Surgery Options: What To Expect and How to Prepare?

Are you about to undergo surgery but wondering what would it include and how do you prepare for it? Wanting to know this is important as it will help you prepare better for the surgical procedure, optimize its potential outcomes, and ensure quicker and safer recovery. Accordingly, reading this blog can prove helpful. It overviews some aspects of knee surgery and the factors involved in preparing for it.

Types of Knee Surgeries

Usually, people refer to knee surgery as a knee replacement. However, replacement may not always be needed. So, let’s see the types of knee surgeries before knowing what to expect and how to prepare for them.

• Arthroscopy: It is a minimally invasive procedure that helps diagnose your knee issues and treat them within the joint. The procedure involves making small incisions via which surgeons insert a camera and insert surgical tools. It helps address various issues like loose bone fragments, torn meniscus, etc.
• Partial Knee Replacement: This surgery type suits people with limited damage to a particular part of the knee. Thus, only the affected part is replaced, preserving much of the knee’s natural anatomy.
• Total Knee Replacement: The procedure involves removing the damaged bone and cartilage from the entire knee joint and replacing it with a prosthetic joint. This surgery suits people with severe arthritis or damage, affecting different compartments of the knee.
• Knee Revision: You would need a knee revision surgery when your earlier surgery fails. It involves replacing the old implant with a new prosthesis. Accordingly, the procedure requires extensive preparation.

Pre-Operative Testing and Preparation for Knee Replacement

Before you undergo the procedure, doctors recommend various pre-operative tests. It includes blood samples, medical evaluation, stress test, electrocardiogram, urine samples, and chest x-ray. These tests help surgeons determine the type of surgery you need, if you are prepared to undergo it, or if you need care and attention for any medical conditions. Furthermore, during your consultation appointment with the doctor, you must discuss various aspects. These include medical conditions, advanced directives, prior surgeries, medications and supplements, pre-surgery exercise, dietary restrictions, allergies, and anything specific to your condition.

What to Expect During Surgery?

Every knee surgery type has its unique procedure. However, let’s look at a few generic procedures or steps involved in knee surgery.

• Anesthesia: These surgeries usually include general or regional anesthesia, depending on the patient’s condition, nature, and health. The purpose is to ensure comfort and minimize pain during surgery.
• Steps Involved: As stated earlier, the process varies from surgery to surgery. However, common steps include removing damaged joints and replacing them with implants. Thus, the process requires making an incision to prepare the bone for the prosthetic and then positioning and securing the new joint.
• Intraoperative Care: During the procedure, surgeons monitor the patient’s condition continuously to manage signs and respond promptly to immediate complications. The aim is to keep the patient’s condition stable throughout.

After-Surgery Care and Recovery

Pre-operative care plays a crucial role in helping you recover safely and quickly. While specific instructions and requirements may vary, here are some generic ones.

• Managing pain and preventing infection
• Monitoring signs of complications
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Regular medical check-ups
• Making various lifestyle modifications
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Avoiding high-impact activities to avoid stress on the joints
• Preparing the home by decluttering, installing fall prevention equipment, having help available at all times, and creating a recovery area.

Potential Risks to Prepare for

Knee surgeries are usually safe; but like every other surgery, they carry some potential risks. The types of risks and their extent depend on the person. However, some generic ones commonly observed include the following.

• Stiffness
• Limited range of motion
• Implant wear or failure
• Clicking noises from the artificial joint
• Infections, although rare
• Blood clots

Note: You must listen to your body’s needs and these side effects by administering them medically and promptly.

Do you have more questions about knee replacement and looking for a specific consultation? Then, visit Ranka Hospital. Our doctors will discuss your case with you and provide personalized responses concerning diagnosis, surgical needs, risks, post-operative recovery, etc. Call us at +91 – 20 – 24261530 for an appointment.