Tags

Implant (medicine), joint replacement, Knee, Knee Pain, knee replacement, osteoarthritis, Patient, surgery

Knee Replacement | Knee Pain Treatment.

Knee Replacement

Having a knee replacement procedure can be traumatic and painful, which is why every potential patient should know everything about the surgery before it is done. If you are suffering from osteoarthritis and your doctor has told you to get a knee replacement then read the following article in order to determine what the best course of action is for you. Everyone is different and has unique needs. We will describe the pros and cons of getting a knee replacement and some of the preparations needed for patients who are going to have the procedure performed. Hopefully this will help you decide whether you want the procedure done and how to do it best.

Knee Replacement

Pros and Cons of Knee Replacements

There are many pros and cons that come with any surgery and a knee replacement is no different. For many patients, the pain of osteoarthritis is too much to bear. It is difficult for elderly people to deal with crippling pain on a daily basis without wishing that they had something to help remove the pain. If they are in their last years especially then it is important to make them comfortable and able to leave their own bed. This is actually one of the biggest reasons why patients decide to get a knee replacement. Pain can be very hard for patients and the elderly are incredibly susceptible to further injury if it is not taken care of.

Additionally, those who need a knee replacement will have a much better range of motion if they get a replacement procedure done. You may find it difficult to walk if your knee joint is not properly working with the rest of your leg. If this is the case then an artificial joint will definitely help.

At the same time, there are many cons for knee replacement surgery. Almost every patient will realize that the life of the implant is very short. Artificial joints cannot last nearly as long as your natural ones so you may require multiple replacements in your lifetime. Some joints do not last more than a few years, which is considered a malfunction, but is still a con to having the knee replacement surgery performed.

There is also the risk of infection which comes with every type of procedure. However, the risk for a implant infection is worse if it is realized. Having an implant infected can be worse than any other type of procedure.

Finally, a knee replacement implant can malfunction within a few years, months, or even days. After such a painful and drastic surgery, having a knee joint taken out too soon after the last surgery can have long lasting effects on the health of your body. Even though a surgeon can try to revise implants in order to improve results, this can still be invasive and difficult to stomach.

Preparing for a Knee Replacement

The most important preparations you can make are for your mental health and your home. If you can prepare mentally for the difficult surgery, the pain after the procedure, and the recovery that lasts for many months, then you will have a much easier time when all of these difficult tasks come about.

You should also try to prepare your home for when you return from the operation. Having wheelchair or crutch accessibility will be important in the first few weeks of your recovery. Also, have all the things you need on your bed or with you at all times so that you can avoid expending too much energy moving around. If you have loved ones that can help take care of you then now is definitely the time to call in the favors.

Knee replacement surgery is a serious matter and should never be approached alone. If it is possible then you should always have a companion with you during the doctor’s visits and the surgery itself. When you return home you should also have someone that is willing to help you with the day-to-day activities.