Life after Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Out of many effects of aging on the body, decreased bone strength is one of the most typical outcomes of aging. As we age, our bone strength declines, and our joints, especially our knees, lose mobility.

Sometimes, the pain and distress are so severe that it may cause swelling, extreme pain, and bowing of the knee. Knee pain caused by osteoarthritis can be quite an agonizing condition and can have a significant impact on the affected individual’s daily life.

In this case, a total knee replacement surgery may be recommended as the best solution to improve your quality of life. It can help you regain mobility and activity after a knee injury or osteoarthritis. After surgery, 9 out of 10 people report substantial improvements in their quality of life, but this does not happen overnight.

Before deciding on knee replacement surgery, our knee specialist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Muthana Sartawi, will perform diagnostic scans to determine if your knee joint is deformed or damaged, as well as a physical exam.

What is a Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

During a total knee replacement surgery, the damaged cartilage and bony tissues of the knee cap are removed and replaced with high-grade plastic or metal alloys that serve as the joint.

The procedure is designed such that it relieves you of the pain and restores normal joint function. The replaced knee performs nearly as well as the previous normal ones, but the patient may need some extra time to adjust and get used to the new knee.

How is the total knee replacement recovery?

A proper rehabilitation process is essential for adjusting to the knee joint and returning to an active lifestyle. It not only benefits you in the long run, but it also allows you to recover from surgery quickly and properly.

Because of advances in medical technology, your orthopedic specialist will have you standing and walking with assistance equipment such as crutches, canes, or walkers within a day of your surgery. Physiotherapy sessions are an essential part of the recovery and rehabilitation process. The goal is to use the new joint as much as possible. Thus, you will be given an exercise regimen to strengthen your muscles.

Within 2-3 days of surgery, your orthopedic and physiotherapist will have you walk short distances, climb 2-3 steps, bend the knee to a certain angle, and perform daily activities like bathing and toileting with minimal assistance.

Most patients may require up to 6-8 weeks to perform most activities as normally as they did with a normal knee joint. Complete recovery and regaining full strength could take anywhere between six months and a year.

What is required from your end post a total knee replacement surgery?

Stay active to recover faster

If all goes well, you can usually expect a stay of 2 to 3 days at the hospital following a total knee replacement surgery. With some support, the doctor encourages movement from the next postoperative day. Within 2 to 3 weeks of surgery, the patient should be able to walk without assistance. However, our orthopedic expert, Dr. Sartawi, specializes in same-day replacement surgery, wherein you may go home on the day of the surgery itself.

Within a year, the patients can perform activities they were unable to do previously. Holding on to an active lifestyle and exercising regularly will aid in quickly regaining joint strength.

Set practical goals

The artificial knee, while very similar to the normal knee, does have some limitations. It would not bend as far as a normal knee would. It may also be difficult to perform activities such as kneeling, jumping, running, and heavy, laborious work. Participating in contact sports may not be a good idea.

Before proceeding, it is critical to consult with our orthopedic surgeon. Some patients complain of cramps and stiffness after long periods of walking or cycling. If a patient feels heat around the knees, they can apply an ice pack or take simple over-the-counter pain medications to relieve the pain.

Keep an eye on your weight

Post-surgery; you must maintain a healthy body weight. Weight gain can cause premature wear and tear on the joint, and it can even cause the artificial joint to break under excessive pressure. Because the knees bear the entire weight of the body, keeping an eye on your weight is critical so that the knees are under less stress.

Also Read: What is the recovery time for knee replacement?

Special attention to clothing

Wear light, soft clothing that is loose and comfortable immediately after surgery to allow for adequate movement and comfort during recovery. For a while, the surgical wound will be sensitive. Certain environments and outdoor activities necessitate the use of sunscreen and protective clothing.

Driving and going out

After a knee replacement surgery, driving should be avoided immediately following knee replacement surgery and for several weeks afterward. Proper movement and flexibility of the knee joint, leg, and foot are not possible for several weeks due to the procedure, stiffness, pain, and postoperative pain medications, making driving difficult and dangerous. You should collaborate with your doctor to create a realistic and safe timeline for when you can drive again.

Furthermore, many auto insurance policies exclude drivers who undergo certain medical procedures or surgeries without prior medical approval. See that you have a friend or family member or third-party transportation who can drive you home or get you around.

Make physical therapy a part of your life

Physical therapy or rehab is required to learn exercises and to be monitored to ensure your knee heals properly. During the first few weeks of recovery, some people may require assistive walking aids to get around. As time passes, your knee strength returns, and you gradually become less reliant on walking aids under the supervision of a physical therapist. You can move around on your own without assistance. Physical therapy is also required to ensure that the knee joint heals properly and to detect potential problems early on for correction.

Benefits of total knee replacement surgery

Knee replacement surgery has a near-perfect satisfaction rate among those who have had it done. This is because knee replacement surgery brings in a variety of positive life changes.

Many people who have knee replacement surgery report improved mobility as another positive outcome. Because the knee joint is so important to the movement, even mild knee pain can result in significantly reduced mobility, making it difficult to walk short distances or perform daily tasks. Many people find that the pain relief provided by knee replacement surgery is so effective that they are able to resume activities and mobility that they had been missing due to knee pain.

Also Read: Who needs to have meniscus tear surgery?

Same-Day Total Knee Replacement Surgery at Dr. Sartawi’s – Innovative, Safe, and Precise procedure

Dr. Muthana Sartawi is widely regarded as one of the very first surgeons in the Middle East to perform same-day joint replacement surgery, and he is a forger in same-day knee replacement surgery.

If pain medication and physical therapy are ineffective in treating the condition, same-day knee replacement surgery may be a viable treatment option. The ‘Modified Intervastus Approach to the Knee’ method, used by Dr. Sartawi’s total knee replacement surgery, is a unique, patented technique that spares the muscles and tendons.  This technique renders higher patient satisfaction, Lower risk of infection, and the comfort of recovering at home. The method has also been published in international peer-reviewed journals with excellent results.

Contact the team for more information.