Whether you have suffered from arthritis for a long period of time or you have recently injured yourself, a knee replacement surgery can be a great way to ease main, increase mobility, and improve your overall quality of life. Unfortunately, you may not understand this surgical procedure even though it is becoming more and common. If you and your doctor have decided a knee replacement is right for you, here are a few things you need to know before undergoing this surgery.
1. You are Not Alone
When living with chronic pain and mobility issues, many people isolate themselves from the rest of the world. However, it is important to know you are not alone.
Many people live with pain, stiffness, swelling, and emotional distress due to their arthritic pain in the knee. For many, this pain affects not only the knees but also other joints of the body, as well. If you have suffered through an accident or injury to the knee, your quality of life may be suffering due to physical, emotional, and financial distress.
Thankfully, knee replacements are effective options for many people dealing with arthritis or injury to the knee. As a matter of fact, an estimated 600,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed each year. If you will be undergoing this surgery, you should know that you are not alone.
2. The Knee Is Not Actually Replaced
One of the most common misconceptions about knee replacements is that they will have their actual knee replaced. This is partially true, but understanding the procedure will require understanding the anatomy of your knee.
Each of your knees is comprised of three components. The femur, which is the lower end of the thigh bone, the tibia that is the upper end of the shin bone, and the kneecap that is also called the patella all make up the knee joint. In addition, numerous ligaments, muscles, and tissue are connected to these components to ensure the joint moves in a functional manner.
Depending on the level of your injury or damage from the arthritic inflammation, components of the knee are removed and replaced or resurfaced. Completing these tasks is a lot different than replacing the entire knee joint and connective materials.
3. Therapy is Essential for Recovery
Most patients experience enormous pain relief and an improvement in their knee's function after the surgery, but physical therapy is an essential part of the procedure's success. After the surgery, you will need to work with a series of therapists to help you strengthen the new components of the knee while building endurance and stamina.
Low-impact exercise, such as swimming, walking, and weight-training, are all used during therapy to ensure your surgery is successful. Proper understanding is key to knee replacement surgery. This guide will teach you a few things you need to know about this common procedure.
For more information, contact your preferred orthopaedic doctor.
