KNEE SURGERY DAY: What to expect

First, you will have your initial surgical consultation, which will include preoperative x-rays, a complete past medical history, a complete past surgical history, and a complete list of all your medications and allergies. This consultation will also include an orthopaedic examination and discussion of the knee replacement surgery procedure.

Next you will have a complete physical examination. Your internist or family physician will determine if you are in the best possible condition to undergo knee surgery.

You may wish to donate blood prior to your knee replacement surgery, just in case a a transfusion might be advisable.

Your doctor may recommend that you see a physical therapist before surgery, to learn exercises that you can do prior to surgery. You will also receive an overview of the rehabilitation process that follows knee replacement surgery. This will help to better prepare you for your post-operative care.

Preparation for the hospital

You may want to bring the following items to the hospital for your knee replacement surgery:

• Clothing:  underwear, socks, t-shirts, exercise shorts for rehabilitation
• Footwear:  walking shoes or tennis shoes for rehab; slippers for the hospital room
• Walking aids:  walker, cane, wheelchair, or crutches if used prior to surgery
• Insurance information

The evening before surgery, you should not eat or drink after midnight. Your surgeon may provide you with special soap. You should shower and use this soap to scrub the surgical area for five minutes, or as long as prescribed. Prepare your belongings for the hospital, relax, and try to get a good night’s rest before your surgery day.

Preoperative Procedures:

On the morning of your knee replacement surgery, you will be admitted to the hospital. Your vital signs will be taken, you’ll be given a clean hospital gown to wear during the procedure, and an IV will be started to give you fluids and medication during and after the procedure.

You may be provided an elastic stocking to wear, to reduce your chances of blood clots. All jewelry, dentures, contacts, and nail polish must be removed. Your leg will be scrubbed and shaved in preparation for surgery. The anesthesiologist will come to your room and discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used. Finally, you will be taken to the operating room.

Surgery and Recovery:

A total knee replacement involves cutting away the damaged bone of the knee joint and replacing it with a prosthesis. You will be under anesthesia and comfortable during the procedure.

After your surgery is completed, you will be moved to the recovery room for close observation of your vital signs, circulation, and sensation in your legs and feet. As soon as you awaken and your condition is stabilized, you will be transferred back to your own room.

When you wake up, you will find a bulky dressing applied to your incision ito maintain cleanliness and absorb any fluid. There may be a drain placed near your incision ito monitor the amount of fluid lost from the wound.

Your doctor may prescribe a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) device connected to your IV. The unit is set to deliver a small controlled flow of pain medication and is activated when you press the button on your machine.

You'll receive instructions in using this. You may also wear a catheter; the side effects of anesthesia can make it difficult to urinate.

A continuous passive motion (CPM) unit may also be placed on your leg, to slowly and gently bend and straighten your knee.

This device, if prescribed, is important for quickly regaining your knee range of motion.

Contents courtesy of knee-replacement-info.com