Total Knee Replacement Surgery

When is it Time to Think About encouraged to stop smoking before Surgery? surgery to prevent lung complications and promote healing after surgery. You may need total knee replacement Pre -admission testing (lab work and surgery if you are experiencing pain, EKG) and attendance at a “joint camp” stiffness or loss of motion in your knee will also be scheduled to further help joint. These symptoms may be caused by you prepare for surgery. Anti- degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), inflammatory medications, aspirin, and rheumatoid arthritis or injured knee blood thinning medications should be cartilage. When pain interferes with discontinued one week before your daily activities such as walking, climbing surgery. These medications affect your stairs or getting out of a chair, it’s usually blood clotting factors and could increase time to consider having surgery your risk of blood loss during surgery.

About the Surgery What to Expect After Surgery Total knee replacement involves You will awake in the recovery room removing diseased cartilage on your after surgery with an IV for antibiotics knee surfaces and replacing it with and fluid replacement that will be smooth artificial surfaces. This is done continued for 24 hours. You may receive by removing your thigh (femur) bone medication through an IV-regulated surface and lower leg (tibia) bone surface pump to control your pain. and replacing it with a metal and plastic n Physical therapy will begin the day after implant. A plastic “button” piece is also 1400 Mercy Drive, Ste 100 your surgery and you will be instructed implanted under your kneecap surface. Muskegon, MI 49444 on how to walk with the use of crutches These three components make up your 231-733-1326 or a walker. You may also be allowed to new knee replacement surfaces. bear weight on the affected knee. n 1445 Sheldon Rd, Suite G1, Preparing for Surgery You may be given a prescription for a Grand Haven MI 49417 blood thinner such as Coumadin, 616-296-9100 You should be examined by your family Xarelto, Lovenox, or Aspirin to take after doctor to ensure you are healthy enough surgery, in order to prevent blood clots www. oamkg.com for the planned surgery. You will be during the healing process. www. wmspinecenter.com www. ghboneandjoint.com Total Knee Replacement Surgery [page 2]

Complications and Risks of Surgery Urinary tract : Infection to your urinary tract can occur after having surgery. Symptoms include Blood clots : You are encouraged to get up and move burning and frequent , as well as blood in your frequently as well as take your prescription blood urine. Fever and weakness may also occur. Report any of thinner OR aspirin to help prevent clotting. Symptoms these signs to your doctor. This type of infection is a of clotting include pain, swelling or redness of your calf major source of joint infection and should be treated or thigh, and shortness of breath. Call the office with antibiotics quickly. immediately if you develop any of these symptoms. Implant malfunction: There is a slight risk that the Infection: Infection is rare, but can occur following prosthesis will fail to attach to your bone causing surgery. You are at a higher risk for infection if you have loosening of the implant. , rheumatoid arthritis, chronic liver or kidney disease, or if you are taking steroids. Symptoms include fever or chills, drainage, redness, a foul smell or Recovery Period increased pain at the surgical site. Call the office The average recovery period for knee replacement immediately if any of these symptoms occur. surgery is 2-3 months. Most patients are back to work in Blood loss: It is possible that you will need a blood 2 months if their job is sedentary, and 3 months if they transfusion following surgery. Your doctor will evaluate have a labor-intensive job. Exercise such as running, you daily to determine if there is a need for a skiing, or contact sports are discouraged following knee transfusion. replacement surgery. Activities like swimming, walking and biking are encouraged to promote knee strength Nerve damage: As your doctor makes his knee incision, and overall fitness. many small skin nerves will have to regenerate. Some numbness may occur on the outside of your knee incision. This numb feeling may take months to Treating and Preventing Infection diminish, or it may be permanent. Notify your family doctor if you develop any suspected Anesthesia complications: Respiratory failure, shock, infection so you can be placed on an antibiotic to cardiac arrest, and death are always possible during prevent the spread of infection to your knee joint. surgery. Patients with long-term kidney, heart, liver, or such as ear infections, ingrown toenails, lung disease are at a higher risk. bladder infections, sinus infections, and sore throats should be reported immediately. Make sure all your Pneumonia: Lung congestion is possible while you are doctors know you have had a joint replacement so you recovering from surgery and are not as active. Coughing can be pre-medicated with an antibiotic before any and deep breathing are encouraged to help you expand dental work, or bladder/bowel surgery. your lungs and clear any congestion. Constipation: Bowel movements slow down with less activity and the use of pain medications. You will be encouraged to use stool softeners after you are discharged to promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation.

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