New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer says patients should not have knee replacement surgery unless they really need it. To justify a total knee procedure, a person should have damage, disability, and a reduced range of motion. Impairment could stem from a major injury from the past that’s advanced to severe arthritis.
People who need a knee replacement experience pain that interferes with their daily life and hasn’t responded to pills, shots, bracing or exercise. These patients typically can’t bend or straighten their legs in a normal fashion.
Prior to knee replacement surgery, your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon tells his patients that they need to exercise daily for six weeks before their surgery to get their body in shape for a faster recovery. This is important because for the first two to four weeks, they’ll have some difficulty getting around.
Recovering from knee replacement takes effort – surgery itself doesn’t make patients better. There has to be a rehabilitation period that typically involves working with a physical therapist as an outpatient for six to eight weeks before resuming normal exercise.
Regardless of the patient’s occupation, the average time off required after knee replacement is nine weeks. And your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon reports that most joint replacement patients are extremely pleased with their outcome because it returns them to their normal life, which could include walking around the house, going for a hike or playing tennis.
During the first six months, the knee area may still be swollen, but after just a year the patient’s knee will look like a normal knee with a scar on it. With just a one percent annual failure rate, that means that in 10 years, 90 percent of new knees are still functioning.
If you would like to know if you are a candidate for a total knee replacement, contact the office of New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer today for Schedule a Consultation.