Whether you injured your knee in an accident or have bad knees due to aging and overuse, procedures such as partial or total knee replacement, cartilage repair, or knee arthroscopy might be the solution.
Having good knee health is essential, not only for sports but also for fulfilling daily activities and having a more active lifestyle. But before going on your computer and searching for “knee doctor near me,” here are some important questions you might want to ask your doctor before considering going through knee surgery.
What type of knee surgery do I need?
There are many types of knee surgeries, from partial replacement and repairs to total knee replacement. When you meet an orthopedist for the first time, it’s better to know what to expect in the procedure—so get your knee/s checked and ask what is the best course of action for your recovery. In most cases, total knee replacement surgery has the highest success rate.
What is the typical outcome of my procedure?
Now that you know what type of procedure to get for your knee, it’s time to ask about the likeliness of the procedure to succeed and what results to expect. You should ask if it will reduce the pain and whether you will regain full or partial knee recovery. If you are active, you definitely want to know if you can return to playing sports and other physical activities.
Will my current lifestyle affect the outcome of the surgery?
In most cases, the likeliness for knee surgery to succeed can increase if you exercise to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee. You can ask your doctor what you can do to increase your chances of success.
Do I need urgent knee surgery?
You should ask your doctor if you immediately need to undergo the procedure. If you have time to spare, you can prepare for the cost of the procedure or find out if your health insurance will cover it.
What are the potential complications?
Although total knee replacement and other knee surgeries are getting more common these days, there are cases where the patient experiences complications. If that is the case, you should always be transparent with your current health conditions to avoid complications and determine whether you should go through the procedure. Some possible complications include blood clots, extreme pain after surgery, and infections, among others.
What will happen during the surgery?
Though you might not be able to understand technical surgery terms, you can ask the doctor to explain the basics of the procedure to know what to expect during the surgery. You can also ask if you will endure pain and what will be used to control the pain during the procedure.
How long will recovery take?
Recovery time is different for everybody, so you can ask your doctor what the usual recovery time for your case is. While you are on the topic, you can also ask how long you will stay in the hospital and how soon you can return to your regular lifestyle. You can follow up on this question by asking how to speed up the recovery process and what practices will slow it down.
How can I take care of my knee after the surgery?
You also might want to know how to care for your knee after the surgery and know when you can shower, what food you can or can’t eat, what medication you will use, and if you can do basic activities like driving, and walking, among others.
Visit regenesisortho.com for the best knee surgery consultation.
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