Getting Help With My Leg

If you have a knee that hurts you all the time, you should see an orthopedic doctor. They will do tests on your knee to help them determine the problem. They will take x-rays in many cases, as well as send you to have an MRI done. An MRI allows them to see many more details about what is going on with your knee. One thing the doctor may find is that you will need a knee replacement. To help you, below is information on how a knee replacement works, as well as what you will do to recover from it. 

Knee Replacement

You will be put under general anesthesia, which means you are asleep during the procedure. The doctor may choose to give you an epidural which numbs you from the waist down. This will allow you to be awake during the procedure. The doctor may give you the option of deciding what you would like to do. 

The doctor makes an incision in your knee and removes the damaged bones in the knee joint. They then replace these bones with plastic and metal parts, which is also known as a prosthesis. They do measure this prosthesis before it is placed in your knee to make sure it fits you correctly. 

When the surgery is over, you will be taken to a recovery room or back to your room. You will be very tired and sleepy if you were under general anesthesia. You may also feel nauseous or may vomit if you were given general anesthesia, which is very normal. A nurse will monitor you for a few hours and will take your blood pressure periodically. They will also take your temperature to make sure there is no infection. The doctor may suggest you stay overnight after the surgery or may allow you to go home the day of. 

Knee Replacement Recovery

Your knee will be put in a brace for you to wear for a certain amount of time. You will also have a dressing over a wound on your knee which will have to be replaced periodically until the wound stops bleeding and heals. The doctor will want you up and walking as soon as you can after the surgery. You will use crutches or a walker to do this. 

The doctor will give you information on what you need to do once you get home. They will likely have you see a physical therapist for a certain amount of time. This can help you heal faster. 

Your orthopedic doctor can give you much more information about knee replacement surgery so you will understand it better.