Active lifestyles and degenerative disorders can often lead to the need for a new knee. From athletes to seniors, those who have struggled with pain may find themselves considering knee replacement surgery.

If you have already had knee replacement surgery, or are considering your options, it is good to know what to expect. Here are some things that are considered normal after surgery, and a few things that you may want to prepare for.

Bruising

If simply bumping your knee on the coffee table leads to a bruise, imagine what happens when you undergo major surgery. Bruising is the most natural part of knee injury recovery and can last 1-2 weeks after surgery.

While tenderness comes with bruising, make note if the discoloration or soreness fails to subside.

Stiffness

Stiffness is the most common complaint after any surgery. Your range of motion is sometimes the last thing to return after experiencing a major change in the composition of your frame. After rest, healing, and possibly some physical activity, you should find that you are able to move like you use to, ideally better and without pain.

If you find yourself unable to bend your knee, or are completely immobile, it is in your best interest to follow up with your doctor. While the implications could be serious, it is likely that your doctor will simply recommend some additional physical therapy to get you up and running.

Swelling

Replacing a major joint in your body is a big deal. More than many other types of surgery, swelling in the area of your operation is expected to last for weeks. Your body has gone through a significant change and needs ample time to adjust accordingly.

If the swelling becomes red, expands beyond your knee, or lasts longer than a couple of weeks, it might indicate an infection. This can easily be treated using antibiotics and is best diagnosed by your surgeon.

Clicking

Before your surgery, there’s a good chance you were experiencing some cracking and clicking, natural noises when a joint is in motion. After your surgery, definitely expect to hear continued clicking and popping as the mechanical components of your new knee get adjusted. The clicking may even continue long term.

If you experience sharp pain with any clicking sounds or additional discomfort associated with the noises in your knee, it is definitely time to contact a professional with questions.

Pain

You probably won’t be surprised to find that it will take some time for your body to adjust to having a new knee. Any knee pain treatment comes with some additional pain, but with time and gradual use, your body will acclimate naturally. However, if your pain persists or worsens, it might be time to reach out to your doctor.

Everything considered, knee replacement is the most effective way to move through pain and get back to the hobbies and activities that you love. Reach out to a local Sioux Falls orthopedic clinic for more information or to schedule a consultation.

When it comes time for knee replacement surgery, most patients find that they’re ready to leave pain and limitations behind.  While there is a long road to recovery after any surgical procedure, the path can be made easier when you know exactly what to expect from the recovery process.

Any Sioux Falls orthopedic specialist should be happy to answer any and all of your questions on the subject of surgery and recovery, so don’t hesitate to ask if you have any concerns.  After all, you want to be sure you’re making the best choices concerning your own health, and this means being proactive.

Of course, you might not really know what questions to ask if you’re new to surgery and the knee injury recovery process.  Here are just a few of the most commonly asked questions about knee replacement recovery that you may want to ask beforehand.

What Can I Do to Prepare for Recovery?

There are several steps patients can take to prepare for knee surgery and subsequent recovery.  First and foremost, you need to make sure your home environment is set up so that you don’t have to navigate stairs for a while.  You may find that adding a temporary toilet and/or shower railings for support or a bench in the shower is helpful, as well.

You should also line up physical assistance, whether you count on a spouse, an adult child, or a home caregiver for assistance, at least in the days immediately following your surgery.  You might need help with daily activities like standing, walking, dressing, bathing, and more, and you won’t be able to drive for several weeks.

If you want to do all you can to minimize recovery time, consider adding regular exercise to your daily routine to adopt the habit and prepare for PT.  Some patients may also want to lose a few pounds to reduce stress on joints before and after surgery.

How Long is the Healing Process?

Many patients want to know when they can return to normal activities following a knee replacement surgery.  The truth is that it’s difficult to tell.  It really depends on each patient and how quickly their body heals.

Generally speaking, patients can expect to return to normal daily activities (low impact) within about six weeks.  However, it’s hard to estimate when a patient will fully recover.  It could take anywhere from about three months to a year, during which follow-up care and probably physical therapy will be required.

During this time, there may be setbacks like reinjury if you push too hard, so it’s always best to follow the advice of physicians and PTs to the letter and go slow.  Your perseverance will pay off in the end, thanks to a new knee that functions even better than the old one.

Will There be Pain During Recovery?

If you’re undergoing knee replacement surgery, there’s a good chance you’re already suffering from knee pain.  However, a surgical procedure is also going to result in some pain during the healing process.  You can rely on knee pain treatment like OTC or prescription pain killers to alleviate pain following your surgery, and with regular physical therapy you should recover as quickly as possible, eliminating pain and returning to your life.

Your knee can get affected by various kinds of knee arthritis.

Let us have a look at the different types of knee arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

The common type of arthritis in the knee is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition which gradually wears down the knee joint cartilage. Patients in the middle age usually get affected because of this type of arthritis.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

The post-traumatic arthritis develops after an injury. It may take years after an injury like knee fracture, ligament injury, or torn meniscus to show up.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the knee. There is no age for developing this kind of arthritis in the knee.

Common Signs of Arthritis in the Knee

Let us have a look at some of the common signs of arthritis in the knee.

Knee Deformity

The arthritis in the knee can cause changes in the shape of the knee. There is a sunken appearance of the muscles around the knee. The arthritis weakens the surrounding muscles. This knee deformity will result in the knees pointing towards or away from each other. The appearance may not be noticeable or very apparent. The level of deformity of the knees depends on the extent of damage done by the arthritis.

No Space Between the Joint

An X-ray is the best way to determine the space between the knee joint. A reduction in joint space can result in reduced range of motions. The arthritis wears away the joint’s edges and reflects human body’s own effort to repair itself. These symptoms usually point to osteoarthritis.

Lack of Mobility

Lack of mobility is another important system of arthritis in the knee. The arthritis makes it difficult for knee joints to glide. The lack of mobility makes even simple movements difficult. The decrease in range of motions becomes more evident when you participate in sports related activities. The arthritis affects functioning of the knee joint and creates hurdles in performing everyday tasks.

Popping or Cracking Sounds

Another symptom is the feeling of a grinding sensation when you move your knee. The patient may hear popping or cracking sounds from their knees. The loss of smooth cartilage points to the effects of arthritis. The grinding sounds come out because of the roughing of the surfaces. These sounds may come out because of rubbing as well.

Locking of the Knee

Arthritis in the knee may weaken the muscles surrounding the joint. It may lead to weakening and destabilizing the joint structure. Weakness in the knee can result in giving away or locking. The joint may become sticky and may not bend or straighten. These symptoms can vary from one patient to another.

Tenderness or Swelling

The arthritis can also cause inflammation in the knee. Sometimes, there is inflammation because of extra fluids or bone spurs. Swelling can occur after a long period without physical activity. The condition may lead to feeling of warmth or redness on the skin. This may also cause chronic knee inflammation which can improve with the use of over the counter medicines.

Let us have a look at some of the ways to comfort the arthritis affected knee.

Take Rest

The feeling of little discomfort in the knee joint is normal. You may feel a bit of stiffness when you start a routine exercise. If you feel uneasiness and pain the knee, you should stop the physical activity. You need to take rest. It usually takes 2 to 4 days for the routine knee pain to subside. However, if you do not find any relief after a few days rest, you must get in touch with an orthopedic doctor.

Reduce Physical Activity

Exercise forms an important part of a healthy life. However, patients with osteoarthritis must avoid activities which would aggravate their pain. Sports activities involving a lot of physical activity should be avoided. However, it does not mean the patient should leave all physical activities. A patient needs to do some kind of physical activity without straining their knee joint. Inactivity is also not good for patients with arthritis in the knee.

Exercise and Physical Therapy

Exercise and physical therapy can help reduce the pain. The doctor will advise you with the right kind of exercise to take care of your health. Similarly, you must be careful in choosing the right exercise for yourself. Always consult with your orthopedic surgeon before choosing a workout routine. Some exercises may not be suitable for the arthritis in the knee.

Reduce Weight

Arthritis is a painful condition. A patient weighing more than their BMI adds stress to the knee. One way of helping patients with arthritis means management of their body weight. An overweight person puts a lot of extra pressure on their knee joints. Consult your orthopedic doctor in Sioux Falls to know about how weight reduction can help overcome knee arthritis pain.

Use of Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis

Your orthopedic surgery doctor may suggest the use of hyaluronan injections. These injections are also known as viscosupplementation. Some of the choices include injections containing sodium hyaluronate, euflexxa, orthovisc, and supartz. You must always take the advice of your doctor. Your orthopedic surgery doctor is the best person to decide on the type of medication to help with knee arthritis.
These injections have fluid which acts as a shock absorber. The fluid helps reduce the friction between the bones of the knee joint. The liquid helps the bone joint easily glide and reduces chances of osteoarthritis.

Total knee replacement or TKR or Total Knee Arthroscopy is a surgery for replacing an arthritis knee with artificial joint. The artificial joint of knee is known as prostheses.
The older patients with severe knee pain usually go for this procedure. The knee replacement surgery helps them improve their functional mobility.
ead to serious knee problems.

Problems Arising Because of Arthritis Knee

• The excessive bone or spurs can build up around the knee joint edges.
• There is irregularity in joint bone, which the Sioux Falls orthopedic surgeon can see in an X-ray image.
• The swelling of the thick arthritis knee.
• The absence of cartilage lining or its damage or inflammation.
• This may also signify presence of arthritis at a particular stage.

Why Go for Knee Replacement Surgery?

The disease knee osteoarthritis poorly impacts the quality of a patient’s life. It becomes very difficult to take a few steps up the ladder, sit down for a while or walk briskly.
The aim of the knee replacement surgery is to help overcome pain and bring relief to the patient.

However, you must not directly consider opting for surgery of the knee. You must first look into other available options.

Let us first look at other options before you can consider getting a surgery of your knee.

Try Losing Weight

Weight loss is another way of improving your overall fitness and overcoming knee problems. Sometimes, the knee may swell because of extra weight.

Use of Nutritional Supplements

You can try using different nutritional supplements on the advice of your doctor only. The nutritional supplements help repair cartilage, tendons and ligaments. The nutritional supplements help stimulate signals necessary to heal damaged tissues.
Some of the nutritional supplements produce extra synovial fluid which acts as cushion. The added cushion within the knee joint helps relieve pain and overcome inflammation related problems.

An important benefit of using nutritional supplements is regulation of the enzymes. These enzymes help breakdown the new cartilage and reduce inflammation. There is an analgesic effect because of the enzyme release.

Physiotherapy and Exercise

Physiotherapy is another great way of reducing the knee pain. There are different benefits that patients can have by relying upon physiotherapy and exercise.

Let us have a look at the ways in which physiotherapy can help.

• The use physiotherapy helps overcome knee pain. The exercises help improve the strength of the muscles. The physiotherapy has a positive effect on the entire body and can also help stabilize lumbar spine.
• The problem of obesity is evident in all of the United States. More than one third of or 35% US adults are overweight as per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Physiotherapy also helps overcome obesity and makes it easy to enjoy an active lifestyle. In some cases physiotherapy also helps overcome issues which relate to tendonitis and sore knees.
• There is a range of different exercises that you can perform to overcome the knee pain. Some of the typical exercises that orthopedic surgery doctors recommend include hamstring stretch, calf stretch, straight leg raise, quad set, seated hip march, pillow squeeze, and heel raise.

Oral Medication

Let us have a look at the popular oral medication choices.

Gout Medications

There are some medicines typically prescribed for gout or high levels of uric acid. This increase in levels of uric acid in the blood can result in serious joint pain and inflammation. These medications take care of the inflammation and pain. There are other medicines which reduce pain. People with gout and pain may be required to take both the medicines.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are quick acting medicines which control inflammation in the body. Sometimes the inflammation in knee is not an isolated condition. There may exist a condition result in inflammation of all joints. In such scenarios the doctor may prescribe the patient to use oral corticosteroids. These medications help overcome the inflammation due to systematic forms of arthritis. In such cases the doctor may ask the patient to use oral corticosteroids.

Anti-Rheumatoid Drugs

When the doctor recommends DMARDs or anti-rheumatoid drugs for knee pain, they do not have a direct effect. The knee pain causes differ from one patient to another. However, the use of anti-rheumatoid drugs helps reduce the knee pain. Sh DMARDs may be used for overcoming chronic knee pain.
The DMARDs help overcome joint pain by blocking inflammation. It is important to get DMARDs or else it will only result in increased knee joint pain. Your orthopedic doctor will look into different factors before recommending a particular medicine of pain relief for knee.

Biological Response Modifiers

There is another way of treating rheumatoid arthritis too. The use of biological response modifiers are prescribed by orthopedic physician to patients whose knee does not respond to DMARDs. The biological response modifiers drugs including Abatacept, Adalimumab, Adalimumab-atto, Anakinra, Infliximab, and Tofacitinib among others.

Procedure for Knee Replacement Surgery

In some cases surgery may be the best pain relief in the long run. If other methods of pain treatment for knee fail, the patient may have to undergo knee replacement surgery.

The Procedure

The orthopedic surgery doctor will need to take exact measures of the disease affected area of the knee bone. The surgeon will have to reshape the bone in order to make space for the implant.

The surgeon usually builds the artificial implant inside the knee. The idea is to create separate components to keep the knee joint as flexible as possible.

In the next step of knee replacement surgery, the surgeon will make an incision to have access to the patella. The traditional knee replacement surgery involved a long 8 to 10 inches incision. Thanks to advanced in surgical technology, the incision size is reduced to 4 to 6 inches. In some cases the doctor may need to make a bigger incision. It entirely depends on the type of surgery required.

Upon opening of the knee, the surgeon can see the patella or kneecap. The surgeon will rotate the patella to view the area which needs surgical operation.

The orthopedic surgeon will first resurface the femur bone, commonly known as thigh bone. The surgeon will make precise cuts using special instruments. The orthopedic doctor will remove the damaged cartilage or bone from the femur and resurface it for the artificial knee.

The orthopedic surgeon will attach the metal fermor to the end of the femur. The orthopedic surgeon will use bone cement for sealing the artificial component in place.

Once the orthopedic surgeon resurfaces the femur, they will resurface the tibia too. The surgeon will remove the damaged bone and cartilage on tibia and also reshape it for fitting the metal and plastic tibial parts.

The orthopedic surgeon will also cement the bone to secure the femur in place. The placement of a polyethylene insert will help provide support and stability to the knee during bends.

The surgeon will flatten the patella by adding plastic component and cement it with the bone.

After completion of the procedure, the surgeon will close incision using stitches and bandage it. The doctor may ask the patient to bend their knee to see if the implant is a proper fit.

Get in touch with your bone doctor at Sioux Falls Orthopedics to know more and if knee replacement surgery is right for you or not.