Knee replacement surgery is one of the greatest medical advances of the 20th century. Today, in the United States approximately 400,000 knee replacements are performed each year, and by 2030 the number of knee replacements will likely increase to 3 million.
The Total Joint Replacement Surgeons at Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic work closely with patients to utilize all non-operative treatments prior to discussing knee replacement surgery. If the conservative treatment options no longer give the patient relief, total or partial knee replacement surgery will be discussed to decide if the patient would be a good candidate.
If Total Knee Replacement Surgery is something recommended and that you are considering, you might have some questions about the procedure and what to expect. Here are the 3 most common questions asked about Total Knee Replacement Surgery.
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Is Total Knee Replacement a major surgery?
In a knee replacement surgery, your surgeon removes the damaged joint surface and substitutes it with a metal and plastic implant. A total knee replacement is a major surgery, therefore having it or not is a big decision to make. It’s very important to have an experienced surgeon whom you can trust.
2. Is a Total Knee Replacement painful?
Knee replacements are among the most commonly performed and highly successful orthopedic surgical procedures. This reconstructive procedure is performed to allow a smooth, pain-free movement of the joint, so obviously you are worried whether the procedure will be painful, or whether it will successfully reduce the pain.
The truth is, you may still have some pain for as long as six months after the surgery. If you feel pain after this time has passed, consult your physiotherapist or GP.
Persistent pain after the Total Knee Replacement may be caused by loosening of the implant, infection, or alignment problems.
3. What can I expect after knee replacement surgery?
You can expect to be able to move the same day as surgery or within a day after surgery. Although, for some time you may need to use crutches, a walker, or a cane.
Typically, you can look forward to a big improvement in flexibility and much less pain within a month. It’s important to exercise your knee regularly to reduce swelling and to strengthen your muscles.
With help from a physical therapist , who will go through a series of exercises with you to strengthen your repaired knee. How long you’ll need physical therapy depends on your health and how motivated you are to recover from your surgery.
Knee replacement in Raleigh
The Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic board certified, fellowship trained total joint replacement surgeons bring together many years of experience to manage and treat joint complications resulting from degenerative joint diseases such as arthritis, musculoskeletal disease, or joint trauma.
Conditions commonly treated by our knee doctors in Cary, Durant Road – North Raleigh, Edwards Mill – Raleigh, Garner or Holly Springs include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteonecrosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Fractures and post-traumatic arthritis
You may have your knee replacement performed by our experienced surgeons in multiple locations. Choose the one which suits you best:
Knee replacement in Durant Road -North Raleigh
Knee replacement in Edwards Mill – Raleigh
Knee replacement in Holly Springs
If you want to find out more about Total Knee Replacement in Raleigh (or Cary, North Raleigh, Garner or Holly Springs) schedule an appointment at our Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic – call (919) 781-5600.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.