We hope you're able to walk, run and dance through your entire life with your healthy natural joints. But if you find that over time your knees have become arthritic and painful, knee replacement might be for you. Knees and several other joints are now replaceable through advanced technology and leading-edge surgical techniques. Dr. Ronald Hudanich states that knee replacement surgery will help those currently suffering from pain, get back to doing what they love most.
Who Needs Knee Replacement Surgery
Patients who have been suffering from severe arthritis in their knee for years and have exhausted all conservative treatment options are the prime candidates for knee replacement surgery.
Conservative treatment options will generally include some or all of the following:
- Weight Loss
- Physical Therapy
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications
- Cortisone Injections
- Viscosupplementation or Gel Injections
“Once all these conservative treatment options have been exhausted, it’s time to start looking at knee replacement surgery as your best option for maintaining your normal, active lifestyle,” says Dr. Hudanich, “and with the advancements in technology, robotic knee replacement surgery is helping patients heal more efficiently.”
What to Expect Before and After Surgery
After conservative treatment has shown to be ineffective, you still have options. You can opt for knee replacement surgery to restore your natural mobility. The process starts with your general practitioner who will clear you for the procedure, and after that you'll book your appointment.
The surgery itself is often quick and convenient and can be done on an outpatient basis. Hudanich says “depending on your risk factors, you may be required to spend one night under observation while you recover.”
The orthopedic institute at AdventHealth uses advanced techniques to provide a coordinated pathway to care. A CT scan is required before surgery to image your original knee so that an identical, arthritis-free, custom knee can be built for you. These important steps of the replacement process not only leave you with a familiar joint but also have been shown to improve healing and recovery time as well as making for a better long-term comfort.
“Physical therapy after surgery is essential to recovery.” says Dr. Hudanich, “the surgery itself usually only lasts about an hour and after that the recovery is done at home.” For the first 2 to 3 weeks home health care will visit to perform physical therapy as needed and after that most patients require an additional 3 weeks of outpatient PT at one of our many convenient clinics.
At that point, the healing process is about 70-80 percent complete. After 3 months you should be at 90 percent and total normality restored in about a year with the last aches and pains finally fading away.
Personalized, Coordinated Care
Our care team offers personalized options, and we guide you through the process so that you have the most successful knee replacement possible. To learn more about our orthopedic programs, visit our website: https://www.adventhealthorthoinstitute.com/
