What is life like after knee replacement surgery?

The most important step after Knee Replacement Surgery is rehabilitation. This period begins in bed immediately after the surgery and continues for months.

The patient is hospitalized for approximately 3 days after the surgery. During this period, the patient is taught walking, basic exercises, dressing and wound care.

The patient is called for a check-up on the 15th day after discharge. During this visit, the stitches are removed and the rehabilitation status is checked.

The patient must walk with a walker for approximately 3 weeks after the surgery.

By the 4th week, the patient can walk without support and climb stairs.

Upon completion of the rehabilitation period, a painless and functional knee is obtained.

What are the risks of knee replacement surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some risks in knee replacement surgery. These risks can be minimized with an experienced team and quality equipment.

The most serious complications seen in knee prosthesis surgery can be listed as follows:

embolism and vascular occlusion,

knee prosthesis infection,

anesthesia related complications.

In order to avoid these risks, maximum attention should be paid to every step before, during and after the surgery.

When all these steps are taken into consideration, knee replacement is an extremely safe surgery.

What should be done to prevent infection in knee replacement surgery?

Some precautions should be taken to prevent knee prosthesis infections can be listed as follows:

The surgery should be performed by an experienced surgical team, quality equipment and in a clean center.

There should be no focus of infection in the body (on teeth, urinary tract or skin).

One day before the surgery, the patient should take a shower with chlorhexidine soap.

After the surgery, dressings should be done in a sterile manner and the person should pay attention to his/her own self-care.

No visitors should be allowed in the hospital room or the patient room at home.

Blood sugar should be under control and balanced before surgery (HbA1c value should be less than 7.5).

The hemoglobin value must be over 10.