Knee replacement is one of the most common orthopedic surgical procedures performed today, with more than 600,000 such procedures performed in the United States each year. New designs and alloys allow replacement joints to last longer, so we can consider addressing knee pain with a joint replacement in younger patients than in years past.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has found that 90 percent of patients who undergo a knee replacement procedure report experiencing much less pain after their surgery.
There can be many reasons you may need to consider a knee replacement surgery, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis, which can follow a serious knee injury. Once you’ve consulted with an orthopedic surgeon and settled on a knee replacement as the best approach to your pain, your next thoughts may invariably go to what happens after your procedure.
Fortunately, because knee replacement is such a common orthopedic procedure, we also have lots of data and research about it. At Tanner, we’ve examined the research and developed evidence-based clinical practices to ensure the best possible outcome for our knee replacement patients in the days following their surgeries.
In fact, Tanner’s approach to knee replacement has earned Tanner Ortho and Spine Center the Joint Commission’s Disease-specific Care Certification for hip and knee replacement.
The award-winning level of care begins even prior to surgery when you attend the Tanner Joint Academy, a class led by registered nurses, a physical therapist, care coordinators and the orthopedic and spine nurse navigator. This class will help decrease anxiety that comes along with surgery and explain to you and your “coach” (or support person) what to expect before, during and after surgery.
Day of Surgery
After your knee replacement procedure, you’ll wake up in a recovery area called the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), where specially trained nursing staff will be on hand to help you recover from the effects of the anesthesia. Because this area is used by other patients also recovering from surgery, visitors are not allowed out of respect to your privacy and the privacy of the other patients.
From the PACU, you’ll be moved to your hospital room where your loved ones are welcome. The nurse will take your vital signs, and through the day you’ll learn about the medications you’ll need to control pain and nausea, how to use an incentive spirometer to prevent pneumonia and begin the physical therapy that will be critical to helping you live actively on your new knee. Your first physical therapy goal will be to walk to your room door and back which is about 25 feet.
Following Surgery
On your first day in the hospital, the patient care team will draw labs and check your vital signs. Your IV will be stopped and you’ll be able to lose the hospital gown and put on some normal, comfortable clothes from home. The nurse will go over the pain control medications and help you understand what you’ll need to do after you leave the hospital to continue to improve the range of motion in your new knee.
The physical therapist will help you achieve a goal to walk 100 feet on your new knee that morning, and 150 feet that afternoon. The therapist also will show you more exercises to do at home for your knee.
Most patients will be ready to be discharged from the hospital by the end of the first or second day after surgery. On the day of discharge, you should be able to walk at least 200 feet, navigate stairs and understand your pain management and discharge instructions.
Any assistive devices you need, such as a walker, will be delivered to you in the hospital. Once medically cleared, you’ll be ready to go home with the support of a home health agency, such as Tanner Home Health, to continue your physical therapy.
Once home, the physical therapist from the home health agency will continue to meet with you regularly to work on exercises that will help you improve your range of motion and walk with less pain than you’ve experienced in years.
Recovering from any joint replacement procedure is a lot of work, but you’ll be glad you made this choice
Need to discuss your knee pain with an orthopedic medicine specialist? Call Tanner’s free, 24-hour physician referral line at 770-214-CARE (2273) or select “Find a Provider” at tanner.org to make an appointment today. To learn more about Tanner Ortho and Spine Center, visit TannerOrtho.org.
Carrollton Orthopaedic Clinic has locations in Bremen, Carrollton and Villa Rica. For more information, visit carrolltonortho.com or call 770-834-0873.