FAQs
When do I know it’s time to talk to a doctor about knee pain?
In the past week, has knee pain caused difficulty getting out of bed? Going up & down stairs? Doing housework? Getting in and out of the car? Standing up from sitting? If knee pain is making everyday activities like these difficult or keeping you awake at night – especially if it’s accompanied by swelling and stiffness that doesn’t improve with rest – it’s time to talk to a doctor about treatment options.
Why do people get total knee replacement?
The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is to relieve severe pain caused by osteoarthritis. People who need knee replacement surgery usually have problems walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs. Some also have knee pain at rest.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of knee pain and is the most common form of arthritis. Also known as joint arthritis, it is degenerative (wear-and-tear) that causes the cartilage in your knee to wear away over time. Without cartilage, the bones on your knees rub on each other each time the joint moves, causing pain.
What are my knee replacement options?
Your doctor will talk to you about partial or total joint replacement depending on your specific knee issues. At Beacon Health we can perform traditional knee replacement surgery or robotic-assisted surgery.
Why should I consider robotic-assisted total knee replacement?
Robotic-assisted surgery lets your doctor make smaller incisions – reducing the risk of infection – while also providing more precise control and better visibility with ROSA’s cameras and optical trackers. As a minimally invasive surgery it also reduces pain and promotes a faster recovery time for patients.
What can I expect from my time in the hospital?
Knee replacement surgery requires anesthesia. Your input and preference help the team decide whether to use general anesthesia, which makes you unconscious, or spinal anesthesia, which leaves you awake but unable to feel pain from your waist down.
You’ll be given an intravenous antibiotic before, during and after the procedure to help prevent post-surgical infection. You might also be given a nerve block around your knee to numb it. The numbness wears off gradually after the procedure.
After the procedure, you’ll be taken to a recovery room for one to two hours. You’ll then be moved to your hospital room, where you’ll likely stay for a couple of days. Medications prescribed by your doctor should help control pain.
During the hospital stay, you’ll be encouraged to move your foot and ankle, which increases blood flow to your leg muscles and helps prevent swelling and blood clots. You’ll likely receive blood thinners and wear support hose or compression boots to further protect against swelling and clotting. You’ll be asked to do frequent breathing exercises and gradually increase your activity level.
The day after surgery, a physical therapist will show you how to exercise your new knee. After you leave the hospital, you’ll continue physical therapy at home or at a center. Do your exercises regularly, as instructed. For the best recovery, follow all of your care team’s instructions concerning wound care, diet and exercise.
What can I expect from recovery?
For several weeks after the procedure, you might need to use crutches or a walker, so arrange for them before your surgery. Make sure you have a ride home from the hospital and help with everyday tasks, such as cooking, bathing and doing laundry. If you live alone, your surgeon’s staff or hospital discharge planner can suggest a temporary caretaker.
To make your home safer and easier to navigate during recovery, consider doing the following before you come in for surgery:
- Create a living space on one floor since climbing stairs can be difficult.
- Install safety bars or a secure handrail in your shower or bath.
- Secure stairway handrails.
- Get a stable chair with a firm seat cushion and back, and a footstool to elevate your leg.
- Arrange for a toilet-seat riser with arms if you have a low toilet.
- Get a stable bench or chair for your shower.
- Remove loose rugs and cords.
How long before I can return to normal daily activities?
Three to six weeks after surgery, you generally can resume most daily activities, such as shopping and light housekeeping. Driving is also possible at around three weeks if you can bend your knee far enough to sit in a car, if you have enough muscle control to operate the brakes and accelerator, and if you’re not still taking narcotic pain medications.
After recovery, you can engage in various low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming, golfing or biking. But you should avoid higher impact activities — such as jogging, skiing, tennis and sports that involve contact or jumping. Talk to your doctor about your specific limitations.
