Knee Replacement Surgery and The Hospital Experience

Preoperative Tests

Before knee replacement surgery, your doctor may order tests to make sure you are healthy enough for the operation. This may involve blood tests, X-rays, or an electrical graph of your heart's function called an EKG. Your doctor may ask you to donate blood before the operation in case you need routine transfusions for surgery. Once you receive clearance for your general health, you can move forward with surgery.

Anesthesia

Prior to knee replacement surgery, your anesthesiologist will review your medical chart and discuss the anesthesia appropriate for your situation. There are two common types of anesthesia used during knee replacement surgery: general anesthesia, where the patient is put to sleep, and regional anesthesia, where the patient is numbed below the waist, typically with an epidural. Which type of anesthesia you will receive depends on your situation as the patient, as well as your surgeon's and anesthesiologist's recommendations. Speak with your surgeon or anesthesiologist if you have any concerns regarding the anesthesia that will be used during your surgery.

The Knee Replacement Surgery

Let’s go through what actually happens during knee replacement surgery. Using special instruments, the worn surfaces at the end of the thighbone are removed. The bone is then shaped to prepare for a new covering that is most commonly made out of metal.

The top of the shinbone is prepared in a similar way. The worn surface is removed, and a new metal tray is placed on top of the remaining bone. This tray holds a hard plastic spacer that will become the new shock absorber between the smooth metal coverings. Your surgeon may also replace the back of the kneecap with a new plastic surface.

Near the end of your surgery, your surgeon will attach the new metal and plastic coverings to the ends of the bones and the back of the kneecap. This can be done with bone cement where the new knee is essentially glued to the bones. This can also be done without cement with certain knee replacement implants that can be press-fitted tightly into the bones and affix to them naturally. Either way, your doctor wants to secure the new knee so you can get back on your feet as soon as possible. When the implant is in position and all of the supporting muscles and ligaments are working well, your surgeon closes the incision with stitches or staples.

When your surgery is over, you will be taken to the recovery room. A nurse will care for you and monitor your condition as your anesthesia wears off. You may experience some symptoms during this time such as blurry vision, dry mouth, nausea, chills, and perhaps some pain. If you do, let the nurse know so that they can provide you with medication to help ease your symptoms if appropriate. After recovering from the anesthesia, you will be asked to do some simple breathing and moving activities. These activities help to prevent possible post-surgical complications, such as developing blood clots in your legs.

Generally, you can expect to be moved to your regular room within one to three hours after surgery.

Important Safety Information

The way a knee replacement will perform depends on your age, weight, activity level and other factors. There are potential risks and recovery takes time. If you have conditions that limit rehabilitation you should not have this surgery. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can tell you if knee replacement is right for you.

Last Updated: 01/31/2007