Knee Surgery - Less Invasive Surgery
Patient Guide
Introduction
Knee Anatomy
Knee Arthritis
Partial Knee Replacement
Total Knee Replacement
Less Invasive Total Knee
What to Expect on Surgery Day
Post Operative Care
Knee Rehabilitation
Non-surgical Alternatives
Life After Knee Replacement
Knee Surgery - Less Invasive Surgery
Introduction
Information About Knee Replacement Surgery for Patients and Their Families
If your doctor suggests knee surgery as a treatment for your injury or arthritis of the knee, you may feel a little scared and unsure about what’s likely to happen to you. Relax. Getting the right information and knowing the options can help you approach your impending treatment in a calm, unstressed state of mind.
This article provides key facts about knee replacement surgery and related issues for patients and their families.
By browsing the article, you will be able to gather information about:
• The Latest Less Invasive Knee Replacement Technology
• Various Knee Surgeries and Alternatives
• Knee Anatomy and Function
• Degenerative Changes Associated with Knee Arthritis
• What to Expect on Surgery Day
• Guidelines for Post-Operative Care and Rehabilitation
• Getting back to Life After Knee Replacement
• Various Knee Surgeries and Alternatives
• Knee Anatomy and Function
• Degenerative Changes Associated with Knee Arthritis
• What to Expect on Surgery Day
• Guidelines for Post-Operative Care and Rehabilitation
• Getting back to Life After Knee Replacement
Knee Anatomy
The following article will provide knee anatomy information for patients and their families. The largest joint in the body, the knee is also one of the most complex. The knee may be described as a modified hinge joint, similar to the hinge on a door. However, the knee not only bends back and forth like a hinge, it has a complex rotational component that occurs with flexion and extension of the knee.
The knee is a major weight-bearing joint that is held together by muscles, ligaments, and other important soft tissue. Cartilage is the material inside the joint that provides shock absorption to the knee during weight-bearing activities such as walking or stair climbing.
Knee Anatomy: Bones
The bones of the knee are the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone) and patella (kneecap). The femur and tibia meet to form a hinge with the patella in front of these two bones protecting the joint. The patella slides up and down in a groove in the femur (the femoral groove) as the knee is bent and straightened.
Knee Anatomy: Ligaments
Ligaments hold the knee together and give it stability. The medial (inner) collateral ligament (MCL) and outer (lateral) collateral ligament (LCL) limit sideways motion of the knee. The posterior and anterior cruciate ligaments (PCL and ACL) limit forward motion of the knee bones, keeping them stable.
Knee Anatomy: Cartilage
Two structures known as menisci sit between the femur and the tibia and act as cushions or shock absorbers for the knee. A torn meniscus is often referred to as “torn cartilage.” Menisci are one of two types of cartilage in the knee. The other type, articular cartilage, is a smooth and very slick material that covers the end of the femur, the femoral groove, the top of the tibia and the underside of the patella. This articular cartilage allows the bones to move smoothly.
Knee Anatomy: Tendons
Tendons connect muscle to knee. The quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh are connected to the top of the patella by the quadriceps tendon, which covers the patella and becomes the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon then attaches to the front of the tibia. The hamstring muscles in the back of the leg attach to the tibia at the back of the knee. The quadriceps muscles straighten the knee and the hamstring muscles bend the knee.
Bones, ligaments, cartilage and tendons all work together to build a healthy knee.
Knee Arthritis
If you suffer from knee pain, it’s possible you have arthritis. Knee arthritis is caused by the deterioration of cartilage in the knee joint. The two most common types of knee arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a progressive, degenerative disease in which the cartilage of the knee slowly wears away. Cartilage serves as insulation between the bones of the joint, and when the cartilage of the knee joint wears away due to osteoarthritis, the resulting pain and inflammation can be debilitating. Your chances of osteoarthritis of the knee increase with age; the condition most often affects middle-aged and older people. Osteoarthritis may first appear between the ages of 30 and 40, though symptoms may not be present in the early stages. By the age of 70 almost everyone will have this type of knee arthritis.
Causes
The question of what causes osteoarthritis of the knee has not been answered. Prior knee injuries seem to increase the likelihood of osteoarthritis, but many people with knee arthritis have never had a serious knee injury. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and many people have a genetic predisposition to this chronic disease.
Symptoms
The primary symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain in the knee, swelling and stiffening of the knee joint. In the early stages of osteoarthritis the pain may be mainly associated with activity. As the cartilage wears away and the bones of the joint rub against each other, pain can become more severe and constant, interfering with regular daily activities and disrupting sleep.
Treatment
In the early stages of osteoarthritis, treatment may involve several techniques. Behavioral and lifestyle changes including losing weight and changing routines to avoid painful situations can be very effective in relieving pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen sodium may also provide relief from pain. Cox-2 inhibitors are also effective in providing knee arthritis pain relief. Physical therapy may improve muscle strength and joint mobility, reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee. Joint fluid therapy such as SUPARTZ* brand hyaluronic acid may lubricate the knee and reduce the pain and swelling of the joint. Partial or total knee replacement surgery may be necessary as the disease progresses and daily functioning becomes more impaired.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Unlike osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid knee arthritis involves inflammation of the lining of the joints, known as the synovium. Though less common than osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is among the most debilitating of the over one hundred forms of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops in middle age, but may occur in the 20s and
30s.
Causes
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. It’s possible that a virus or bacteria may trigger the disease in people with a genetic predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis. Many doctors think rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the tissue of the joint’s lining is attacked by the body’s immune system. It’s also possible that rheumatoid arthritis is caused by severe stress. The disease sometimes occurs after a life-changing event such as divorce, loss of a job or a severe injury.
Symptoms
The primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain and swelling in the joints and difficulty moving. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, fever, loss of energy, anemia, and rheumatoid nodules (lumps of tissue under the skin).
Treatment
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis usually involves medications such as NSAIDs, aspirin and analgesics. In severe cases, surgery may be indicated to replace the knee joint with an artificial joint.
If you think you may have arthritis of the knee, contact your doctor for a complete evaluation and a discussion of the options available for treatment.
Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
If you are considering knee surgery, the following partial knee replacement information may help you understand your alternatives. Knee pain from arthritis can be particularly debilitating because we use our knees in almost all of our daily activities. If you are experiencing severe knee pain that interferes with your normal functioning, your doctor may recommend a partial knee replacement, also known as uni-compartmental knee replacement.
This procedure is much less invasive than total knee replacement and may give relief to people suffering from arthritis of the knee or a knee injury. Partial knee replacement surgery replaces only the damaged area of your knee joint, may require only one day of hospitalization, and results in dramatically less recovery time when compared with total knee replacement surgery.
The knee can be divided into three compartments: the medial compartment, the lateral compartment, and the patello-femoral compartment. The uni-compartmental implant is designed to replace either the medial or lateral compartment.
Total Knee Replacement Surgery
If you are considering knee surgery the following total knee replacement information might help you understand the procedure and implants better. Your knees work hard during your daily routine, and arthritis of the knee or a knee injury can make it hard for you to perform normal tasks. If your injury or arthritis is severe, you may begin experience pain when you’re sitting down or trying to sleep.
Sometimes a total knee replacement is the only option for reducing pain and restoring a normal activity level. If you and your doctor decide a total knee replacement is right for you, the following information will give you an understanding about what to expect.
A total knee replacement involves cutting away the damaged bone of the knee joint and replacing it with a prosthesis. This “new joint” prevents the bones from rubbing together and provides a smooth knee joint.
The Procedure
Before you are taken to the operating room you’ll be given medication to help you relax, and the anesthesiologist will talk with you about the medications he’ll be using. In the operating room, you will be placed under full anesthesia. Once you are “under” the surgeon will begin by making an incision in your leg to allow access to the knee joint. He’ll then expose the joint and place a cutting jig or template on the end of the femur, or thigh bone. This jig allows the surgeon to cut the bone precisely so that the prosthesis fits exactly. Once the femur is cut, the tibia is cut using another jig for proper alignment of the knee prosthesis. The undersurface of the patella is then removed.
Now it’s time to place the prosthesis. This begins with the femoral prosthesis, which is cemented in place using a special bone cement. Next the metal tray is attached to the top of the tibia. This will provide the weight-bearing surface of the femur. The plastic spacer is then attached to the metal tray. This will provide the weight-bearing surface of the femur. If this component should wear out while the rest of the artificial knee is sound, it can be replaced. This is known as a “revision.” Next the patellar button is cemented in place behind the knee cap. Finally, the incision is closed, a drain is put in, and the post-operative bandaging is applied.
Implant Components
In the total knee replacement procedure, each prosthesis is made up of four parts. The tibial component has two elements and replaces the top of the shin bone or tibia. This prosthesis is made up of a metal tray attached directly to the bone and a plastic spacer that provides the bearing surface. The femoral component replaces the bottom of the thigh bone or femur. This component also replaces the groove where the patella, or kneecap, sits.
The patellar component replaces the surface of the knee cap, which rubs against the femur. The patella protects the joint, and the resurfaced patellar button will slide smoothly on the front of the joint.
The Latest Advance in Knee Surgery: Less Invasive Total Knee Replacement
If you are a candidate, you may be able to benefit from a less invasive knee implant system that utilizes the most advanced instrumentation available. Although the instrumentation is advanced and the technique has been refined, the procedure builds on what has been proven to work in the past.
A company named Smith & Nephew has developed a minimally invasive total knee system that utilizes the same basic surgical approach that most surgeons learned in the early years of their training. This technique is not about making major changes to what has worked in the past, it is simply an evolution of existing and proven procedures. Additionally, the Smith & Nephew minimally invasive system utilizes an implant with a long and proven clinical history. By taking this approach, your surgeon is able to provide you with all of the benefits of the latest total knee replacement advancements as well as the benefits of a long clinical history and a surgical approach that has stood the test of time.
The two things that have changed in order to enable a minimally-invasive solution are:
• New Smith & nephew surgical instruments are smaller, more precise, and more efficient
• New surgical technique refinements allow the procedure to be performed effectively through a smaller soft tissue "window."
• New surgical technique refinements allow the procedure to be performed effectively through a smaller soft tissue "window."
The positive improvements for patients are significant. The smaller cut, a 60-percent decrease in length, means there is less trauma to underlying muscles and to the soft tissues around the knee. As a result, pain from the surgery is greatly reduced, allowing for less dependence on prescription pain medication and a faster return to physical activity.
What to Expect on Knee Surgery Day
Sometimes a knee replacement is the only option for reducing pain and restoring a normal activity level. If your doctor decides that knee surgery is right for you, here is an idea of what to expect during days leading up to and the day of your surgery.
Pre-surgery Routines
Once you and your orthopaedic surgeon have decided to proceed with knee replacement surgery, there are several activities that must occur to help make sure all goes well. First you will have your initial surgical consultation, which will include preoperative X-rays, a complete past medical history, a complete past surgical history and a complete list of all medications and allergies. This consultation will also include orthopaedic examination and discussion of the knee replacement surgery procedure.
Next you will have a complete physical examination. Your internist or family physician will determine if you are in the best possible condition to undergo knee surgery.
You may wish to donate blood prior to your knee replacement surgery in the event that a transfusion is required after surgery.
Your doctor may recommend that you see a physical therapist before surgery to learn exercises to begin prior to surgery. You will also get an overview of the rehabilitation process after knee replacement surgery. This will prepare you better for your post-operative care.
Preparation for the Hospital
You may want to bring the following items to the hospital for your knee replacement surgery:
• Clothing: underwear, socks, t-shirts, exercise shorts for rehabilitation
• Footwear: walking or tennis shoes for rehab; slippers for hospital room
• Walking aids: walker, cane, wheelchair, or crutches if used prior to surgery
• Insurance information
• Footwear: walking or tennis shoes for rehab; slippers for hospital room
• Walking aids: walker, cane, wheelchair, or crutches if used prior to surgery
• Insurance information
The evening before surgery you should not eat or drink after midnight. Your surgeon may provide you with special soap. You should shower and use this soap to scrub the surgical area for five minutes, or as long as prescribed. Prepare your belongings for the hospital, relax, and get a good night’s rest before your surgery day.
Preoperative Procedures
On the morning of your knee replacement surgery you will be admitted to the hospital. Your vital signs will be taken, you’ll be given a clean hospital gown to wear during the procedure, and an IV will be started to give you fluids and medication during and after the procedure.
You may be provided an elastic stocking to decrease the likelihood of blood clots. You will be asked to empty your bladder. All jewelry, dentures, contacts, and nail polish must be removed. The surgical leg will be scrubbed and shaved in preparation for surgery. The anesthesiologist will come into your room and discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used. Finally, you will be taken into the operating room.
Surgery and Recovery
A total knee replacement involves cutting away the damaged bone of the knee joint and replacing it with a prosthesis. You will be under anesthesia during the procedure.
After your surgery is completed, you will be transported to the recovery room for close observation of your vital signs, circulation, and sensation in your legs and feet. As soon as you awaken and your condition is stabilized, you will be transferred to your room.
When you wake up you will find a bulky dressing applied to your incision in order to maintain cleanliness and absorb any fluid. There may be a drain placed near your incision in order to record the amount of fluid being lost from the wound.
Your doctor may prescribe a PCA device (patient-controlled analgesia) that is connected to your IV. The unit is set to deliver a small, controlled flow of pain medication and is activated when you firmly press the button on your machine. Press the button anytime you are having pain.
You may have a catheter inserted into your bladder as the side effects of anesthesia may make it difficult to urinate.
A continuous passive motion (CPM) unit may be placed on your leg to slowly and gently bend and straighten your knee. This device, if prescribed, is important for quickly regaining your knee range of motion.
Post-operative Care
In a small percentage of people, as with all major surgical procedures, knee replacement complications can occur. Below is a list of potential knee replacement complications and steps you can take to prevent their occurrence.
Thrombophlebitis
This condition is also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and it occurs when the large veins of the leg form blood clots and, in some instances, become lodged in the capillaries of the lung and cause a pulmonary embolism. The following steps may be taken to avoid knee replacement complications due to blood clots:
• Blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants)
• Elastic stockings (TED hose)
• Foot and ankle exercises to increase blood flow and enhance venous return in the lower leg.
• Elastic stockings (TED hose)
• Foot and ankle exercises to increase blood flow and enhance venous return in the lower leg.
IMPORTANT: If you develop swelling, redness, pain and/or tenderness in the calf muscle, report these symptoms to your orthopaedic surgeon or internist immediately.
Infection
Although great precaution is taken before, during, and after surgery, infections do occur in a small percentage of patients following knee replacement surgery. Steps you can take to minimize this knee replacement complication include the following:
• Monitor your incision closely and immediately report any redness, swelling, tenderness, increased drainage, foul odor, persistent fever above 100.4 degrees orally, and increasing pain.
• Take your antibiotics as directed and complete the recommended dosage duration.
• Strictly follow the incision care guidelines your surgeon recommends.
Pneumonia
• Take your antibiotics as directed and complete the recommended dosage duration.
• Strictly follow the incision care guidelines your surgeon recommends.
Pneumonia
Because your lungs tend to become “lazy” as a result of the anesthesia, secretions may pool at the base of your lungs, which may lead to lung congestion or pneumonia. The following steps may be taken to minimize this complication:
• Deep breathing exercises: A simple analogy to illustrate proper deep breathing is to, “smell the roses and blow out the candles.” In other words, inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth at a slow and controlled rate.
• Incentive Spirometer: This simple device gives you visual feedback while you perform your deep breathing exercises. Your nurse or respiratory therapist will demonstrate proper technique.
• Deep breathing exercises: A simple analogy to illustrate proper deep breathing is to, “smell the roses and blow out the candles.” In other words, inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth at a slow and controlled rate.
• Incentive Spirometer: This simple device gives you visual feedback while you perform your deep breathing exercises. Your nurse or respiratory therapist will demonstrate proper technique.
Knee Stiffness
In some cases, the mobility of your knee following surgery may be significantly restricted and you may develop a contracture in the joint that will cause stiffness during walking or other activities of daily living. The following steps must be taken to maximize your range of motion following surgery:
• Strict adherence to the CPM protocol as prescribed by your surgeon
• Early physical therapy (Day 1 or 2) to begin range of motion exercises and walking program
• Edema control to reduce swelling (ice, compression stocking, and elevation)
• Adequate pain control so you can tolerate the rehabilitation regime
• Early physical therapy (Day 1 or 2) to begin range of motion exercises and walking program
• Edema control to reduce swelling (ice, compression stocking, and elevation)
• Adequate pain control so you can tolerate the rehabilitation regime
Rehabilitation after Knee Surgery
Knee replacement surgery is a complex procedure, and physical knee rehabilitation is crucial to a full recovery. In order for you to meet the goals of total knee surgery, you must take ownership of the rehabilitation process and work diligently on your own, as well as with your physical therapist, to achieve optimal clinical and functional results. The knee rehabilitation process following total knee replacement surgery can be quite painful at times.
Your Orthopedic Surgeon and/or Physical Therapist will most likely assign a specific protocol to you, based on your rehabilitation needs. The following protocol is meant only to give you an idea of the kind of exercises you might do during rehabilitation. When in doubt about an exercise, follow the protocol outlined by your Surgeon and/or Physical Therapist.
Early Rehabilitation
Your knee rehabilitation program begins in the hospital after surgery. Early goals of knee rehabilitation in the hospital are to reduce knee stiffness and maximize post-operative range of motion as well as to help you get ready for discharge. The following steps may be taken to help maximize your range of motion following surgery.
• Strict adherence to the CPM protocol as prescribed by your surgeon
• Early physical therapy (day 1 or 2) to begin range of motion exercises and walking program
• Edema control to reduce swelling (ice, compression stocking, and elevation)
• Adequate pain control so you can tolerate the rehabilitation regimen
Outpatient Physical Therapy
Your outpatient knee rehabilitation program will consist of a variety of exercises designed to help you regain range of motion in the knee and build strength in the muscles which support the knee. You will follow an advanced strengthening program, adding weights as tolerated. A stationery cycle and walking program will be used to help increase range of motion and stamina, and an aquatic therapy program may be added as well.
Typical Home Exercises
Instructions in your home exercise program may include the exercises shown below. Consult your therapist regarding the appropriateness of the exercises and the number of reps.
Ankle Pumps: Flex ankle up and down.
Quadriceps sets: Tighten thigh muscles and Hold for five seconds.
Heel slides: Flex your hip and knee. Return knee to the straight position.
Leg lifts: Raise leg six inches above the floor, keeping knee straight.
Knee extension: Place a pillow under your knee. Lift your foot off the mat.
Knee flexion stretch: Place a towel under your heel. Pull your knee towards your chest. Hold your knee in this flexed position for 15-20 seconds. Return knee to the straight position.
At Home
There are several things you can do at home to make your knee rehabilitation more successful. First of all, do the home exercise program as prescribed by your physical therapist. Next, follow these suggestions for daily activities:
• Sitting: Use a chair with arms to help you rise to a standing position. Avoid sitting for longer than an hour if possible. If you must sit for a longer time, elevate the foot to avoid swelling.
• Walking: Do not put weight through the joint until you’ve been cleared to do so by your surgeon.
• Lifting: Do not lift more than ten pounds.
• Showering: Showering is preferable to bathing because of difficulties getting in and out of the tub.
• Exercising: Do the exercises that were recommended by your doctor and physical therapist. Go to physical therapy as prescribed and get advice from your therapist as to whether you’re doing the exercises correctly.
• Getting into a car and driving: Get into a car by sitting on the edge of the seat, then pulling in the legs and turning to face forward. Driving is usually not recommended for the first six weeks post-op. Talk with your surgeon about driving sooner.
• Walking: Do not put weight through the joint until you’ve been cleared to do so by your surgeon.
• Lifting: Do not lift more than ten pounds.
• Showering: Showering is preferable to bathing because of difficulties getting in and out of the tub.
• Exercising: Do the exercises that were recommended by your doctor and physical therapist. Go to physical therapy as prescribed and get advice from your therapist as to whether you’re doing the exercises correctly.
• Getting into a car and driving: Get into a car by sitting on the edge of the seat, then pulling in the legs and turning to face forward. Driving is usually not recommended for the first six weeks post-op. Talk with your surgeon about driving sooner.
Long-Term Knee Rehabilitation Goals
Once you’ve completed your knee rehabilitation therapy, you can expect a range of motion from 100-120 degrees of knee flexion, mild or no pain with walking or other functional activities, and independence with all activities of daily living.
Non-Surgical Knee Surgery Alternatives
Before deciding on knee surgery, your physician may try several knee surgery alternatives to relieve the pain and inflammation in your knee.
Knee Surgery Alternatives: Lifestyle Modification
The first alternative to knee surgery most physicians try is lifestyle modification. This may include weight loss, avoiding activities such as running and twisting which can aggravate the knee injury, modifying exercise to no- and low-impact, and other changes in your daily routine to reduce stress on your knee.
Knee Surgery Alternatives: Exercise and Physical Therapy
Exercise and physical therapy may be prescribed to improve strength and flexibility. Exercises may include strengthening exercises such as riding a stationary bike, and stretching exercises such as flexing the ankle up and down, tightening and holding thigh muscles, sliding the heel forward on the floor, leg lifts, and knee extensions.
Exercise can strengthen your leg muscles and reduce your pain. If you really need knee surgery, this may not help, but many forms of knee pain can be mitigated by exercise.
Knee Surgery Alternatives: Anti-inflammatory Medications
Arthritis pain is caused by inflammation in the knee as the bones rub against each other due to eroded cartilage. Reducing the inflammation of the tissue in the knee can provide temporary relief from pain and delay knee surgery.
Anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed to decrease swelling in the joint. New medications called Cox-2 inhibitors may also be used to reduce inflammation, reducing pain temporarily. A corticosteroid injection may also be used to reduce pain; in this procedure a powerful anti-inflammatory agent is injected directly into the joint.
Knee Surgery Alternatives: Glucosamine/Chondroitin
A dietary supplement called glucosamine/chondroitin may improve the joint’s mobility and decrease pain from arthritis of the knee. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can slow the deterioration of cartilage in the joint, reducing the pain of bone on bone. Both are naturally occurring molecules in the body. Glucosamine is thought to promote the growth of new cartilage and repair of damaged cartilage, while chondroitin is believed to promote water retention, improving the elasticity of cartilage, and also to inhibit cartilage-destroying enzymes.
Knee Surgery Alternatives: Joint Fluid Therapy
While medications and supplements can be helpful in reducing inflammation and pain and help you delay or avoid knee surgery, there are trade-offs. Drug therapies may have side effects, and there is a limit to how much pain reduction can occur.
In a procedure called joint fluid therapy, a series of injections is made directly into the knee joints. This therapy is designed to reduce pain by improving lubrication in the knee, replacing the synovial fluid that lubricates the knee. Hyaluronate is used for the treatment of osteoarthritis knee pain in patients who have failed to get adequate relief from simple painkillers or from exercise and physical therapy.
A solution made of highly purified, sodium hyaluronate (trade name SUPARTZ*) is used in this procedure. SUPARTZ is made from a natural chemical found in the body and is found in particularly high amounts in joint tissues and in the fluid (synovial fluid) that fills the joints.
The body’s own hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and shock absorber in synovial fluid of a healthy joint. Osteoarthritis reduces your synovial fluid’s ability to protect and lubricate your joint.
A physician administers an injection of SUPARTZ solution into your knee once a week for 5 weeks (a total of 5 injections). This helps to re-lubricate your knee and reduce the pain of osteoarthritis, possibly delaying or helping you avoid knee surgery.
Bracing
A brace may be used to provide external stability to the knee joint. Braces are devices made of plastic, metal, leather and/or foam and are designed to stabilize a joint, reduce pain and inflammation and strengthen the muscles of the knee. By putting pressure on the sides of the joint, the brace causes the joint to realign, which in turn decreases the contact between the two rough bone surfaces and reduces the pain while increasing mobility.
As you can see there are several non-surgical options for treating osteoarthritis. These methods can delay knee surgery by providing short-term relief. However, any drug therapy program is likely to have side effects which should be taken into consideration. Non-surgical procedures may also have limited results compared to the long-term results of knee surgery.
*SUPARTZ is a trademark of The Seikagaku Corporation.
Life After Replacement
Knee Condition and Mobility
Once you’ve had knee replacement surgery and completed rehab, your knee should have a range of motion of 100-120 degrees, sufficient for all your daily tasks such as walking and climbing stairs. Thanks to your new knee, you will be able to do many of the activities you did before your knee surgery, but with little or no pain. Most people with total knees can do recreational walking, swimming, golf, driving, light hiking, recreational biking, ballroom dancing and stair climbing without difficulty.
Activities to Avoid
Even though your activity level is likely to increase, a knee replacement surgery means that high-demand or high-impact activities must be avoided. You should definitely avoid running or jogging, contact sports, jumping sports, and high impact aerobics.
You should also try to avoid vigorous walking or hiking, skiing, tennis, repetitive lifting exceeding 50 pounds, and repetitive aerobic stair climbing. The safest aerobic exercise is biking (stationary or traditional) because it places very little stress on the knee joint.
How Long Your Implant Should Last
The average total knee currently lasts 10-15 years before the components wear out. In some cases, worn components can be easily switched out for new ones, but revision surgery is always an experience doctors and patients want to avoid if at all possible.
Knee surgery has great potential to improve your quality of life and ensure that you can remain active and vital.
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