| The Purpose of Knee Replacement | | | | same physician prior to your surgery. Do yourself a |
| In severe cases, total knee replacement surgery is | | | | favor and ask for this information. Your physical |
| used to resurface a person's knee, in the effort that | | | | aliments and significant medical history such as fever |
| the new knee implant will mimic natural function and | | | | and infections (etc.) should all be reported to your |
| range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint. Diseased | | | | surgeon. Medications you are taking and medications |
| cartilage and bone often times are removed in a total | | | | that you are allergic to are important to communicate |
| knee replacement surgery. The lower end of the | | | | to your physician as well. |
| thigh bone (your femur), the upper end of your tibia | | | | If there is a loss of blood, which can happen with any |
| (your shin bone) and the posterior (back) aspect of | | | | surgery, your physician may recommend that you |
| the knee cap can all be resurfaced in this surgical | | | | donate some of your own blood several weeks |
| procedure. | | | | before your surgery. Your physician and his/her team |
| 1.) How Should You Prepare for Surgery? | | | | can instruct you about where and when you can |
| The total knee replacement surgery is significant, but | | | | donate blood. |
| equally important are the actions you take before | | | | Make sure the orthopedist performing the surgery is |
| the surgery ever begins. If you want to optimize | | | | board-certified, which can be determined by calling |
| your recovery, you should read the next section for | | | | the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery at |
| some key pieces of information. | | | | 919-929-7103. |
| 2.) Communication With Your Physician | | | | 4.) After Surgery, What You Can Do |
| It is important that you communicate with your | | | | Once your surgery takes place you will definitely |
| physician and his/her support staff what devices you | | | | need support. Among the products that your |
| will be needing when you are discharged from the | | | | physician and his/her team may recommend is a |
| hospital. Many times, your hospital may have a total | | | | post-operative hinged knee brace. The purpose of |
| knee class you can take pre-operatively. At this class | | | | the knee brace is to help stabilize your knee directly |
| you can speak with nurses and therapists regarding | | | | after surgery. This knee brace usually involves an |
| your various questions and needs. One key reminder | | | | adjustable locking mechanism that can either help |
| about these recommended products; often times, | | | | keep your leg straight, or allow for different degrees |
| you can obtain medical products online at much | | | | of knee flexion. Usually, as you recover, your |
| steeper discounts than you would through | | | | physician will allow for more knee flexion, but directly |
| conventional medical product vendors at the hospital. | | | | after your surgery, the knee may need to be kept in |
| 3.) Potential Risks and Benefits of Surgery | | | | pure extension (totally straight). It is important to |
| It is important to note that you should analyze not | | | | speak with your physician about the exact duration |
| only the potential benefits of a knee surgery, but | | | | of wearing parameters and activity levels with |
| also the potential risks. A pre-operative conversation | | | | respect to your new knee brace as well. |
| with your physician and his/her team will be very | | | | Hopefully this information taught you something that |
| helpful. Moreover, ask to speak with someone else | | | | you did not already know. Good luck! |
| who has undergone the same procedure with the | | | | |