How Will Knee Replacement Surgery Affect My Life?

Following your knee replacement surgery, you will see a big difference in your life in terms of reduction of pain and increase in mobility. However, before you decide to have knee surgery, it is important to understand that you cannot expect miracles from it. You can realistically expect to return to normal activities of daily living with reduced pain.

While total knee replacement surgery is something of a miracle surgery, with more than a 90 percent success rate in terms of reduction of pain and return to ADL (activities of daily living), it is important to keep its potential in perspective and be realistic about what it can do for you. It will not increase your athletic abilities, for example. If you were not a super-star athlete before, you will not be one following knee replacement surgery.

Additionally, it is important to remember that you must avoid some activities after surgery, even if they were activities you enjoyed before surgery. Jogging and high-impact sports must be given up.

Understand that you can greatly increase the life of your total knee replacement with proper care. Overuse can cause the plastic cushion in your knee replacement to wear out. This will make your knee replacement loose and painful. This is why it is important to engage in moderate exercise and not accelerate the wear and tear of the components of your knee replacement.

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During an orthopedic evaluation, you can expect the following:

Medical History: You will be asked questions about your general health and about the level of pain and functioning you are experiencing with your knee.

A physical examination including tests to determine your ROM (range of motion) and the stability and strength of your knee and alignment of your leg will be conducted.

Third, the amount of deformity and damage will be assessed using x-ray.

Fourth, a battery of tests will be taken. These may include a bone scan, blood tests, and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

After your evaluation, you will have a consultation with your orthopedic surgeon to go over the results. He or she will review the options: Total knee replacement or other surgery, injections, physical therapy, or medication. Together, you will determine a course of action that will resolve your pain and mobility issues.

At this point, your orthopedic surgeon will also clarify any risks that may be involved in total knee replacement surgery, rehabilitation, and functioning in day-to-day life with a knee replacement.