What To Expect When You Are Undergoing Knee Surgery
Do you need to get knee surgery? If your knee is damaged from an accident, you might need to get a knee replacement. Although the surgical procedure is important because you may currently struggle to walk due to your aching, damaged knee, you are probably feeling a bit nervous. Understanding what goes on during the surgery and how long it will take for you to recover can put your mind at ease.
You Will Receive Anesthesia
During your knee surgery, you are not going to feel a thing because of the sedation that is provided to patients. Some patients get put under general anesthesia while others will receive regional anesthesia. With regional anesthesia, the specific area of the body becomes numb to keep you from feeling anything that is going on during the surgery. The doctor will talk to you about the type of anesthesia that is best to use for your surgery beforehand.
The Surgeon Will Need to Make Incisions
If you are getting a partial or full knee replacement, the surgeon will need to make incisions around the knee. After making the incision, the surgeon will need to remove the damaged pieces of bone and replace them. The size of your incisions will depend on the type of replacement you need. If you only needed a partial replacement, the incisions made by the surgeon would be much smaller.
It Can Take Some Time to Heal
After you undergo major knee surgery, you need to give your body time to heal. It can take up to six weeks for you to participate in certain activities and do certain things, such as operating a vehicle. Try to rest as much as you can during the recovery of your knee surgery because you want it to heal properly. If possible, avoid spending too much time on your feet.
You Will Receive Medication to Take
You should receive a prescription for pain-relieving medication that you can take after your surgery. You may feel some discomfort when your knee is healing. If the discomfort becomes a bit too unbearable for you, simply take the medication that is prescribed to you for relief.
If you need knee surgery, know that your surgeon will typically offer general or regional anesthesia to you beforehand. During the procedure, the surgeon needs to make incisions to get to the bone and cartilage, removing anything that is damaged. Once the surgery is over, spend the next few weeks recovering from your procedure. If you experience any unbearable pain, you can take the pain medication that your doctor prescribed.