Joint
Center FAQs
What is a knee replacement?
It is a metal and plastic covering for
raw, arthritic bone ends. It replaces cartilage that has worn
away over the years. Knee replacement can eliminate pain and
allow you to move easily with less discomfort. For those that
have become bow-legged or knock-kneed over the years, it can
also straighten your legs to a more natural position.
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Who should have a knee replacement?
When arthritis knee pain severely limits
your ability to walk, work, or perform even simple activities,
knee replacement should be considered.
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Is there an alternative to knee replacement?
Knee replacement is only recommended
after careful diagnosis of your joint problem. Arthroscopic
or microscopic surgery is not helpful once arthritis is
advanced. Also, it is not likely that anti-inflammatory
drugs or cortisone injections will give you the same long-term
relief that knee replacement will.
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Should my knee replacement be cemented?
Knee replacements are successfully performed
with all cemented components as well as with a combination
of uncemented and cemented components. Your surgeon will discuss
which technique is best for you.
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How long is the hospital stay?
The average hospital stay for a knee replacement
patient is around 3-5 days. The average stay for two knees
is 5-7 days. If both knees require replacement, it is usually
best to have both done at the same time. That way, the total
disability will be only slightly longer than the operation
for one knee and the problem will be solved in the least amount
of time.
In some cases, fixing one knee reduces the stress on the other
knee, thus giving another two or three years if the arthritis
is not too advanced. Each individual case is different.
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How long is recuperation?
Recovery varies with each person. You
will use a walker for approximately 4 weeks after the operation.
You can drive a car in 2-4 weeks. Most people gradually increase
their activities and may play golf, doubles tennis, shuffleboard,
or bowl in 12 weeks. More active sports, such as singles tennis
and jogging are not recommended.
After discharge, there is usually no need for a nursing home.
Some patients who live alone may require a short stay at a
rehab center for a few days after they leave the hospital.
This will depend on how you progress in the hospital, and
keep in mind that healing and recovery times vary with each
person.
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Will I need a blood transfusion?
The need for blood transfusions after
knee replacement surgery depends greatly on very individualized
factors. The majority of knee replacement patients do not
require a transfusion after surgery, but those having both
knees replaced at the same time are more likely to need one.
Some patients may want to donate their own blood prior to
surgery for use after surgery. Your surgeon will be happy
to discuss these issues with you.
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What is the success rate?
Knee replacement surgery is recognized
as a miracle of modern surgery. Most orthopedic experts
consider
replacement to be the best method of handling arthritis in
the knee. Knee replacements have literally put hundreds
of
thousands of people back on their feet and allowed them
to enjoy their golden years.
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Are there complications?
As with any surgery, there is a risk
of complications after knee replacement surgery. However,
they are quite rare. Driving on an interstate highway
is probably more dangerous. To reduce the risk of infection,
we take special precautionary measures in the operating room,
and use powerful antibiotics. Our personnel are limited to
fully-trained and experienced nurses and technicians.
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What about pain?
Thanks to advances in medication technology,
we are able to keep you very comfortable after surgery. After
surgery, any temporary discomfort does not compare to the
pain of arthritis endured by most people in months and years
before surgery.
And because knee replacement patients are not “sick,”
you will not be treated as such. You will wear casual clothing
after surgery, not hospital gowns. You’ll also join
other joint replacement patients for buffet lunches, television,
cards, and games.
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