Unde r s t and i ng Knee
Rep l acemen t Su r ge r y
The Pinecone
|
June 2013 • 5 •
Surger y Overview
Total joint replacement involves
surgery to replace the ends of both
bones in a damaged joint. This surgery
creates new joint surfaces. In a total
knee replacement surgery, the ends of
the damaged thigh and lower leg bones
and usually the kneecap are capped with
artificial surfaces lined with metal and
plastic. Knee joint components usually
are secured to the bone with cement.
In a total knee replacements surgery,
the damaged cartilage is removed and
replaced with new joint surfaces in a
step-by-step process.
1.
Removal of the arthritic cartilage
from the lower end of the femur
(
thigh bone) and placement of femoral
component.
2.
Removal of arthritis cartilage on
upper tibia (lower leg bone) and
placement of tibia component.
3.
Removal of arthritic cartilage from
patella (kneecap) and placement of
patellar component.
What to
Expect After Surger y
You may spend several days in
the hospital after knee-replacement
surgery. You will have intravenous
antibiotics for about a day after surgery,
and you will receive medications to
control pain. Your doctor may prescribe
medications to prevent clots for you to
take for several weeks after surgery.
Your doctor will usually prescribe a
knee immobilizer. A knee immobilizer
will keep the knee straight and restrict
bending while you walk. Your doctor
will also usually have you wear a
machine which provides continuous
passive motion (CPM) while you are in
bed. Each doctor has a different protocol
for treatment and your therapists will
follow this protocol.
Rehabilitation – (Physical and
Occupational Therapy) after a knee
replacement surgery is intensive. One
goal of rehab is to allow you to bend
your knee enough to do daily activities,
such as walking, climbing stairs, sitting
in and getting up from chairs, and
getting in and out of a car. It is very
important that you take part in your
physical and occupational therapy both
while you are in the hospital and after
you are released from the hospital. The
rehabilitation program here at Kirby
Pines Rehabilitation Center is one of
the best in the area. After discharge
from the hospital and admission to the
rehabilitation unit, you will receive
5-6
days/week of both physical and
occupational therapy. Our goal is for
patient-centered care to the highest
degree to ensure that you are able to
return home quickly and independently.
If you have additional questions,
please call Jason at 366-1819 for further
details.
S tep-by-S tep
Tota l Knee Rep l acemen t
