If you’re in the process of looking for the “best knee surgeon in Orlando” or lined up for a knee replacement surgery, you will want to understand what it entails. In this article, one of the best knee replacement surgeons in Florida will discuss the procedure.
A modern knee replacement replaces only the surfaces of the knee joint rather than the joint itself. According to the best knee surgeon in Orlando, this is less invasive than extracting the joint and leaves the ligaments, tendons, and other structures around the knee intact. You can think of it like a dentist capping a tooth, but the surgeon is adding a new cap to the knee joint.
The Best Knee Surgeon in Orlando Discusses What To Expect
A standard knee replacement surgery typically takes an hour or two. It’s usually performed under regional anesthesia, such as an epidural block. This means that only the surgical area is numb. Most patients also prefer light sedation to help them relax and doze off. The majority of patients can go home after the surgery within 24 hours, and here’s what to expect from life with your new knee:
- Start walking as soon as possible: Our team at ACME Spine and Orthopedics recommends patients to get up and start walking as soon as possible following surgery. This is due to the fact that there will be a significant amount of inflammation and swelling post-surgery, and it’s essential to mobilize the joint in order to prevent it from getting stiff.
- Embrace physical therapy: Physical therapy is a vital component of healing after knee replacement surgery. Our team will either prescribe you a program for you to perform at home, or recommend a physical therapist to assist you in post-surgery rehabilitation.
- Everyone recovers at different speeds: How quickly you recover from knee surgery depends on your individual condition and the type of surgery you had. People are generally pretty far along after six weeks, and close to fully recovered by three months post-op. You may still experience minor aches and pains for a while longer. Depending on whether you had a partial or full knee replacement, you may need to walk with a cane for at least a couple of weeks. You should be able to return to work after a couple of weeks.
- There aren’t many long-term limitations after knee replacement surgery: The number one thing to avoid after surgery is long-distance running, as the repetitive and high-impact exercise stresses out your knee. The majority of other sports and activities (swimming, walking, biking, etc.) should be fine. The most important thing is to listen to your body and not push it – if you feel uncomfortable, it’s time to stop. Kneeling is fine, but if you feel discomfort, try putting a cushion underneath your knee – especially if the surface you’re kneeling on is very hard. Any limitations on your activities is to help your implants last a lifetime. Younger patients (in their 40s or 50s, for example) need to be more stringent about following these restrictions in order to help their implants last as long as possible.
- Preparing before surgery is vital to healing: Smoking and obesity can hinder the results of your surgery, so you may want to rehabilitate your lifestyle before you go in. Taking care of any major health issues prior to surgery – such as sleep apnea – will help you recover much faster.
Contact Us Today
ACME Spine & Orthopedics has built a firm reputation as having some of the best knee replacement surgeons in Florida. Surgery is scary for anyone, but when you have the best knee surgeon in Orlando on the job, you can trust that you’re in the right hands. Call ACME Spine & Orthopedics to schedule a consultation today.