Knee Replacement Surgery
In 1968, the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl, the first Hot Wheels toy car made its debut, and Richard Nixon was elected President of the United States. It was also the year that the first knee replacement surgery was performed. Today, more than 580,000 knee replacements are done annually to help relieve pain and decrease disability in people with knee problems.
The knee joint, which is the largest in the body, can wear out for numerous reasons, such as inflammation caused by arthritis, injury or everyday wear and tear. Knee replacement surgery may be recommended if pain limits activities, chronic inflammation in the knee does not improve with rest or medications, the knee is stiff or deformed, or there is moderate to severe pain that occurs during rest. Most patients who undergo knee replacement surgery are between the ages of 60 and 80. However, the procedure may be beneficial to patients of all ages depending on the individual’s levels of pain and disability.
A complete medical history will be taken prior to surgery, and a physical examination will be completed to assess the range of motion, stability, and strength in the knee. X-rays may be done to evaluate the extent of knee damage. Most patients are admitted to the hospital on the day of surgery and will be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight before the procedure.
The majority of knee replacement procedures last approximately two hours2c and require some form of anesthesia, either general or spinal. During this time, the surgeon will make an incision that is six to 12 inches long in the knee area, move the kneecap aside, remove the damaged cartilage and bone, and then insert the new metal and plastic knee joint called a prosthesis. Before the incision is closed, the surgeon will bend and rotate the knee joint to ensure that it functions properly.
After spending one to two hours in the recovery room, knee replacement surgery patients are moved to a hospital room where they will generally stay for several days before being discharged home. During the hospital stay, blood thinners, support hose and compression boots (inflatable leg coverings) may be necessary to help prevent blood clots and decrease swelling. A continuous passive motion machine could be used to bend the leg back and forth to increase blood flow and mobility.
Patients usually can resume normal daily activities three to six weeks after knee replacement surgery. Low-impact activities for exercise are encouraged after recovery, such as walking, swimming, biking or playing golf. However, high impact activities including jogging, skiing and tennis will no longer be possible.
The success of the surgery will depend in large part on how well the patient follows doctor’s orders at home the first few weeks after the procedure. More than 95 percent of patients report significant pain relief, greater mobility and an enhanced quality of life following surgery.
For more information about knee replacement surgery, talk with your doctor or call
561-625-5070 for a free referral to an orthopedic surgeon near you.