How to Prepare for Knee Replacement Surgery

When a patient is prepared for knee replacement surgery, it makes their eventual recovery quicker and less complicated. When the patient and the surgeon have decided that a knee replacement surgery is the best treatment option for the situation, the patient will need to be informed of ways to prepare for this surgery. This preparation will include personalized instructions before, during, and after the surgery that is aimed at making the process as smooth as possible. If an individual is experiencing reduced mobility and knee pain, they may be due for a knee replacement. 

This surgery is commonly performed in individuals that are between the ages of 60-80. It involves the replacement of the damaged parts of the knee with artificial components. Different conditions ranging from trauma, injury, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis can result in the need for knee replacement surgery. Before the surgery, however, the patient must ensure that they are properly prepared for it. In order to ensure that they are fully prepared for the surgery, they must ensure that they do the following:

Get all the necessary information on everything about the surgery.

This is one of the most important things to do before getting knee replacement surgery. A patient must know what to expect throughout their surgery process, which includes what to do before the surgery, what happens during the surgery, and what they need to be doing after the surgery. The surgeon can give them information about the process and advice to ensure that they are prepared for the process. The patient should also make use of that opportunity to get clarity on any confusing aspect of the surgery or the recovery process. They should also enquire about how best to prepare for the surgery and the timeline of the recovery. Any concerns should be cleared up during this consultation; this will enable the patient to make a more informed decision about their surgery.

Start the physical preparation. 

In order to ensure that they will recover adequately from the surgery, the patient will need to be as physically fit as possible. This will help them strengthen the muscles around the knee in preparation for the new joint. It is also important to remember that they will need crutches for some weeks after the surgery, so it is necessary to build some upper body strength which will also help with their mobility. A list of recommended exercises can be provided by the surgeon for the patient to include in their daily exercise. If they cannot do those, they can try some low-impact exercises like swimming which will help reduce pressure on the knee while working on their muscles.

Lose weight 

Excess weight can pose a serious problem for the knees of the patients, adding excess strain and reducing mobility in them. It is a very good idea for the patient to lose weight, as it will enhance recovery and protect the health of the future knee. Increased exercising as well as strict dieting in the months and weeks leading up to the surgery can help lower their weight. It is also worth enquiring about the weight that they should be targeting from the surgeon, but that is if they do not give the patient a set weight target.

Quit smoking 

Smoking must be stopped in the lead-up to the surgery. Not only is it bad for the health of the patient, but it can also greatly delay the healing of the surgery. Smoking can only increase the risk of complications in the surgery, it can thin the blood and increase the chances of the infection. Nicotine replacements are also not a good idea when an individual is trying to quit smoking before the surgery. This is because nicotine is implicated in the post-surgery complications. The surgeon can help point the patient in the direction to get help.

Verify the medications

Some medications can increase the risk of post-surgery complications. This is why it is important to check the medication that they are taking on this list by asking the surgeon. Some drugs can make it difficult for blood clotting, while others can suppress the immune system making it more difficult to fight infections post-surgery. This medication would need to be stopped to avoid these complications.

Arrange for assistance

Recovery is much easier when there is help and people are around to offer assistance. This is why the patient needs to make arrangements for help before undergoing the surgery. This help can be from family, friends, or even hired help. They can help with different things like cooking, cleaning, or even driving the patient for their hospital visits. They will ensure that the patient can properly focus all of their energy on recovering at their rate and not add extra stress to the new joint.

Optimize the house

After surgery, the patient’s mobility will be very limited. They will need to move around with the help of crutches or canes. This will make them more at risk of tripping and falling. So they must optimize their house for moving around, like removing potential tripping hazards. They should also make the house in such a way that moving around is easy. They may need to bring their room downstairs if it is upstairs to prevent climbing stairs. This is until they can safely climb stairs at least. They should also make sure that everything that they need is within easy reach.

Pack the hospital bag

This is very important; the patients should make sure that they have packed a bag that contains everything that they would need for the hospital trip. This will include clothing, slippers, medication, toiletries, phones with chargers, and other things. They may also want to pack things that will keep them entertained like books or magazines. They will also need to bring walking aids that they were using before the surgery. The doctor will help by providing a list of what the patient may need in case they are confused about it.