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Frequently Asked
Questions about Knee Replacement
What is
arthritis and why does it hurt my knee?
What is a total knee replacement?
What is the success rate for knee replacements?
What is Partial or Uni-compartment knee
replacement?
Will I need blood?
Do I need to be put to sleep for this surgery?
How long until I can drive and get back to
normal?
When will I be able to get back to work?
How often will I need to be seen by my doctor
following the surgery?
Do you recommend any restrictions following
this surgery?
Will I notice anything
different about my knee?
What
is arthritis and why does it hurt my knee?
The leading cause of joint pain,
Osteoarthritis, is also known as degenerative joint disease. The
cartilage that serves as a cushion and allows for smooth motion
of the knee breaks down and wears away. Eventually it wears down
to bone. Rubbing of bone against bone causes discomfort,
swelling and stiffness.
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What
is a total knee replacement
A knee replacement is a surgical procedure
in which the surgeon removes the damaged bone and cartilage at
the ends of the bones in your joint and replaces it with
artificial parts. The goal of knee replacement is to allow you
to move easily with less discomfort.
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What
is the success rate for knee replacements?
Ninety-four to 96 percent of patients achieve good to
excellent results with relief of discomfort and significantly
increased activity and mobility.
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What
is Partial or Uni-compartment knee replacement?
A Partial or Uni-compartmental knee
replacement is a procedure in which only one of the three
compartments in the knee is repaired. Candidates for this
procedure have arthritis primarily in the medial compartment of
the knee. Your surgeon will determine if this is the right
procedure for you.
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Will
I need blood?
The majority of knee replacement patients
do not require a transfusion after surgery. Some patients may
want to donate their own blood prior to surgery for use after
surgery. Your surgeon will be happy to discuss these issues with
you.
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Do I
need to be put to sleep for this surgery?
You may have a general anesthetic, which
most people call "being put to sleep." Some patients prefer to
have spinal or epidural anesthetic that numbs your leg only and
does not require you to be asleep. The choice is between you and
the anesthesiologist.
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How
long until I can drive and get back to normal?
The ability to drive depends on whether
surgery was on your right leg or your left leg, and the type of
car you have. If the surgery was on your left leg and you have
an automatic transmission, you could be driving at two weeks if
you are not taking narcotics. If the surgery was on your right
leg, your driving could be restricted for as short as two weeks
or as long as six weeks. Getting "back to normal" will depend on
your progress. Consult with your surgeon or therapist for their
advice on your activity.
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When
will I be able to get back to work?
We recommend that most people take at least
one month off from work, unless their jobs are quite sedentary
and they can return to work with crutches on the job.
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How
often will I need to be seen by my doctor following the surgery?
You will be seen for your first
post-operative office visit two weeks after surgery. The
frequency of follow-up visits will depend on your progress. Many
patients are seen at two weeks, six weeks, twelve weeks, three
months and then yearly intervals.
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Do
you recommend any restrictions following this surgery?
Yes. High-impact activities, such as
running, singles tennis and basketball are not recommended.
Injury-prone sports such as downhill skiing are also dangerous
for the new joint.
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Will
I notice anything different about my knee?
Yes. You may have a small area of numbness
to the outside of the scar that may last a year or more and is
not serious. Kneeling may be uncomfortable for a year or more,
but you can kneel if you want to. Some patients notice some
clicking when they move their knee. This is the result of the
artificial surfaces coming together and is not serious. You may
notice that your knee is warm for up to one year, again, this is
not unusual. It is your knee healing from the surgery.
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