A knee injury can become a life-altering event, leading to disability, pain and loss of independence. Total knee arthroplasty is a treatment option that may give you your life back. Talk to your physician about risks versus benefits of this surgery and decide together if this treatment is right for you. If you have arthroplasty performed, you will need to exercise your knee to regain strength and mobility. A physical therapist will work with your physician to develop a plan for recovery.
Description
Total knee arthroplasty is also known as total knee replacement and the surgery usually takes about two hours to complete. This procedure is performed by an orthopaedic surgeon that removes damaged cartilage and bone from the joint in hopes to realign and restore function of the knee. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, different designs and materials are used during total knee arthroscopys but there is always a metalic femoral component, a plastic tibial component and a plastic patellar component. The patient will be placed in a recovery room for approximately one to two hours and will then be taken to a hospital room.
When Surgery is Beneficial
Patients that may benefit from total knee arthroplasty experience everyday limitations due to pain. If your pain makes you unable to walk more than a few blocks, you may need knee replacement. Knee patients should consider total knee arthroplasty when experiencing moderate or severe knee pain during sleep, constant knee inflammation, swelling or knee deformity. If you are unable to bend and straighten your knee of if you can't gain pain relief from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, this surgery may benefit you. When cortisone injections and other knee treatments have been ineffective, consult with your physician about arthroplasty as a possible treatment option.
Postoperative Exercise
After knee arthroplasty, a physical therapist will guide you in an exercise regiment that will enhance recovery. Full recovery of mobility and strength after knee arthroplasty surgery requires regular exercise. Physical therapists recommend exercising two to three times per week for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Exercise is increased to two or three times per day during early stages of recovery. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports an exercise that follow arthroplasty knee surgery: tighten your thigh muscles by holding your knee straight for five to 10 seconds. Repeat this step 10 times within two minutes. It also recommends raising your leg several inches with your knee straightened on a bed for five to 10 seconds before lowering your leg slowly is another postoperative exercise. Other rehabilitative exercises begin in the recovery room, such as moving your foot up and down for two to three minutes. This should take place two to three times per hour and will need to be continued until ankle and lower-leg swelling has fully diminished. Another exercise that is performed during recovery involves placing a rolled towel just above your heel while tightening your thigh. Attempt to straighten your knee and touch the back of your knee to the bed for five to 10 seconds.
Postoperative Activities
You will begin to walk short distances immediately following surgery and practice performing everyday activities. This postoperative activity allows your knee to regain its strength and range of motion. Climbing up and down stairs requires knee strength and flexibility; initially use a handrail and walk one step at a time. Use your unaffected knee to lead up the stairs and the affected knee to lead down the stairs. Someone should be with you while you perform this activity until you have regained your strength and mobility.
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