You’ve decided to get that pesky knee replaced…good for you! It’s been hurting and keeping you from doing the things you love for some time now.
We’re pretty confident that you’ll enjoy your new knee, as the satisfaction rate for this type of surgery is very high. Brigham City Community Hospital has a great staff of orthopedic surgeons well qualified to conduct total knee replacement.
Preparing for your knee surgery is important, and there are some basic things you can do to make it more manageable. According to some studies, losing weight before the surgery will help.
The good news is that complication rates for total knee replacement surgery are quite low. Knee replacement surgery has been performed for many years, utilizing increasingly better technology and knowledge. But as with any surgery, total knee replacement surgery carries some risks, and it’s always good to be educated about what you are facing. Risks for this type of surgery include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Blood clots in the leg vein or lungs
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Anesthesia
- Nerve damage
- Failure of the new joint
Blood clots are of special concern, since you won’t be able to move around as much as you normally would after your surgery. Your doctor will probably prescribe blood thinners to help prevent this.
It’s important to remember that everyone is different and complications and recovery times vary. A detailed conversation with your surgeon about your unique medical and family history is crucial to your experience. Make sure that you know as much as possible about your upcoming surgery. Gather a lot of information. Ask a lot of questions. Share any concerns with your doctor. Make sure that you have realistic expectations.
In most cases, the benefits of total knee replacement surgery outweigh the risks.