Knee Replacement Specialist
San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc.
Orthopedic Surgeons & Sports Medicine Specialist located in San Diego, CA
If medications and walking supports aren’t helping you, perhaps it’s time to consider total knee replacement surgery to restore your mobility. The doctors at San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc. perform knee replacement to help you get back to all of the activities you enjoy. Find out whether the surgery is right for you by calling the office in San Diego or scheduling a consultation online today. TEXT US for fast response!
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Knee Replacement Q & A
What is knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure to relieve pain, disability, and help you get back to your normal activities. The surgery treats severe arthritis or a serious knee injury.
Also called knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement, the procedure involves replacing the surface of the damaged bones in your knee. Knee replacement surgery is usually long-lasting and successful. Multiple studies demonstrate success rates above 80% at 20-30 years after total knee replacement.
What happens during knee replacement surgery?
A total knee replacement is performed in a hospital. You’re wheeled into an operating room and administered anesthesia. During the procedure, your doctor removes damaged surfaces of your knee joint and resurfaces the knee joint with a man-made prosthetic.
The entire procedure usually takes around 60-90 minutes. You’re transported to the recovery room and may be discharged home the same day, or may stay in the hospital for up to 3 days before being discharged home.
What are Signs that I May Need a Knee Replacement?
1. If you have bad arthritis in your knee, chances are you may need replacement surgery
2. Non-surgical treatments such as medications, steroid injections or physical therapy are no longer working or alleviating the pain
3. Your pain is so severe it interferes with daily activities or sleep
4. Your knee is constantly swollen
5. Your arthritis prevents you from being able to straighten your knee
What are the risks of knee replacement surgery?
As with any surgery, there are risks, including:
- Anesthesia problems
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Blood vessel injury
- Blood clots in your leg or the lung
In addition, there is a small risk of medical complications, such as heart attack, stroke, or pneumonia, among others.
What happens after knee replacement surgery?
Your doctor prescribes pain medications, which may cause constipation. However, taking these medications reduces discomfort and helps you to take part in physical therapy, where your physical therapist shows you exercises you can do at home to promote your recovery. It’s important to do these exercises.
In the first few weeks after knee replacement surgery, you’ll use a walker, then a cane. If you’re like most patients, you’ll be able to walk without a cane or walker within six weeks of your knee replacement. It’s common to feel well enough to drive within seven to eight weeks after surgery.
In most cases, successful joint replacement surgery relieves your pain and stiffness, so you can get back to all of your normal daily activities. However, you’ll need to avoid contact sports or activities that put excessive strain on your joints.
If medications and other nonsurgical options haven’t helped ease your pain and you’re considering total knee replacement surgery, call San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc. or book a consultation online today. TEXT US for fast response!
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San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc., San Diego, CA
Phone (appointments): 619-229-3932
Phone (general inquiries): 619-229-3932
Address: 6719 Alvarado Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92120
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