What to Expect If You Need Knee Replacement Surgery

Facing the prospect of knee replacement surgery can feel overwhelming. Many people worry about the pain, recovery time, what life will be like afterward, and whether the surgery is really worth it.

Encouraging news? Knee replacement is one of the most successful and commonly performed orthopedic procedures today. And with modern surgical technology, most patients are on their feet and walking the same day.

Knee replacement surgery is usually the last step in treating advanced arthritis.

“I try to meet patients where they are,” says Dr. Justin HeadA knee and hip orthopedic surgeon Tidelands Health. “As a provider, I want to exhaust all conservative options before resorting to surgery, and even then, sometimes patients aren’t ready for the next step.”

Common non-surgical options include:

• Topical or oral medication
• Heat and cold therapy
• Low impact exercise such as cycling or swimming
• Corticosteroid injection
• Viscosupplementation (gel injection)

“There’s a lot we can do before we talk about surgery,” says Dr. Head. “Motion is actually good for the knee. A low-impact activity that you tolerate well can make a big difference in pain and stiffness.”

knee replacement An option becomes when pain and stiffness begin to interfere with your daily life, such as walking, climbing stairs, standing for long periods of time or enjoying activities you love, and other treatments no longer provide relief.

“If you can’t do what you want or want to do because of knee pain,” says Dr. Head, “it’s time to consider surgery.”

Once arthritis becomes severe, for example, when the joint is “bone-on-bone,” it will not improve on its own and it will be difficult for a patient to find relief.

“If a tire is flat and you keep moving, you’re going to wear the rim,” says Dr. Head. “That’s stage-four arthritis. At that point injections, PRP or stem cells won’t work.”

At this advanced stage, knee replacement becomes the most reliable way to restore mobility and relieve pain.

Today’s knee replacement More precise thanks to robotic-assistance systems. The surgeon performs the procedure, but the robotic platform increases accuracy and planning.

“Robotic-assisted surgery versus traditional surgery is like going on a trip using your vaguely remembered directions as opposed to using a GPS,” Dr. Head said. “We use a CT scan to create a 3D plan before surgery.”

Advantages of robotic-assisted surgery include:

• Improved range of motion
• Quick transition off a walker
• Low pain medication required
• More accurate implant positioning
• Longer implant lifetime

Many patients are surprised that they will walk on the day of surgery. One of the biggest factors in recovery success is your level of mobility before the procedure.

“We know a patient’s level of functioning before surgery will reflect how they function after surgery,” Dr. Head said. “If you wait until you can barely walk to have knee replacement surgery, it will take a lot longer to get back to where you want to be.”

Patients in the region don’t have to go far for a state-of-the-art knee replacement. Robotic-assisted joint replacement Available closer to home at Tidelands Health.

“If a patient can have surgery and then sleep in their own home that night, that’s important,” Dr. Head said. “I live in this community. My patients see me at the grocery store. I’m really proud to be able to provide advanced, life-changing care close to home.”