Introduction

Chronic knee pain is debilitating for many individuals. Some people are lucky enough to be able to manage it without any major issue- like simple exercise or using medical supplements. But the majority of the cases are not so easy to deal with. The thought process behind someone with chronic knee pain is like this – “How much pain is ok to deal with, till I give up?” This is because simple everyday activities become a painful chore- like climbing stairs, getting up from furniture, sitting down, walking, cycling, running, hiking etc. A lot of our daily movement is taken for granted, and so when they get limited, our quality of life suffers. Pain may be due to old age, wear and tear of joints or a traumatic injury, among other causes. 

There are three things that you could consider doing to stay relatively pain-free daily- either exercise, physical therapy or pain medication. If none of them work and you think your pain is just getting worse, then getting knee replacement surgery may be a viable option. Knee surgery, also called knee arthroplasty is a surgical procedure used to replace your defective or damaged knee with artificial metal or plastic-based implants. The recovery period post surgery is not the easiest, but if you are ready to be diligent about physiotherapy and want to stay pain-free, keep an open mind through the process. 

Preparation for Surgery

There are a few factors that help reduce post-operative stress and recovery time, but these need to be taken care of BEFORE surgery. This means that everything you do leading up to the date of surgery is important and will help decide your course of recovery. Preparation is necessary as you could end up waiting a couple of months to get operated on. 

Expect to have detailed discussions with your medical provider, who will give you a complete run-down of the procedure. You will hear the term “prehabilitation” used very often, and this fancy term just means preparation. These include not smoking or drinking, getting rid of the extra few pounds to avoid strain, exercising in the correct way and eating the right kind of food with supplements containing Vitamin D, C and trace minerals. This means you will deal with important lifestyle changes. 

What to Expect During Surgery

It is the day you have been waiting for. Congratulations! 

• On the day of your surgery, your vitals will be checked thoroughly. 
• You will then be given peripheral nerve blocks or numbing injections. You may be given a catheter for repeat doses if necessary.
• Next comes anesthesia, which is decided based on allergies, dosage and other factors. 
• Then comes the incision. Your surgeon may decide to do a keyhole/minimally invasive surgery or go the normal route. The implants are then placed and the incision stitched up. 
• You will then be able to begin recovery. 

Postoperative Care and Recovery Tips

Now that you are done with major surgery, you will be moved to a recovery room and may be encouraged to move around with a walker. Slow movements can aid in recovery. This may include the use of a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine after surgery, which will help you gain better range of motion in the future. You will be given pain management medication to deal with pain or stiffness and devices to assist like a walking cane or walker. The incision is essentially a wound that needs to heal. You will also begin physiotherapy. 

Expected Recovery Timeline

While individual recovery experiences may vary, it is mostly a straight road to recovery.

• The immediate postoperative period involves hospitalization for a few days, followed by discharge to home with assistance whenever possible. 

• The initial few weeks will concentrate on wound healing, pain management and exercising- all of which will help bring back mobility and improve joint function. 

• Long term goals- Your new joint will last for up to a decade or even longer if you take good care of it. Avoid any high impact activity like jogging, running, climbing or skiing. Avoid sitting for long periods of time. Posture is very important- sit on a firm chair with good back and armrests. Driving will take time. Do not lift any heavy weights as this will stress your joint out. 

Conclusion

A knee replacement surgery is actually a great way to give an individual a second chance at a decent quality of life, or they may feel way better than before. Remember- your recovery period is unique to you and you will need to give yourself grace to understand all the changes that need to be made to your routine. There is absolutely nothing wrong about asking someone for assistance! You may need help with medical appointments or daily chores. Feel free to join support groups for some much-needed motivation, because we understand- there may be days where you may not wish to do anything. So, hold on as it will be a wild ride, but it will be one that will help improve your way of life!