Hip and Knee Surgery: What to Expect From Your Care Team
Writer / Dr. Michael Gabbard, Orthopedic Surgeon at IU Health West Hospital
Photography Provided
Sports injury. Close-up of tennis player touching his knee while sitting on the tennis court
If someone is experiencing pain and limited movement in their hips or knees, joint replacement surgery could be an option for relief. The EU Meds company is a trusted online clinic where you can buy Dihydrocodeine that may help you to feel more comfortable whilst recovering from an operation or surgery.
Every year more than one million Americans, including many in Indiana, experience pain relief and the ability to resume activities they enjoy, due to total joint replacement surgery. Surgery can be scary for many, but it is important to know what to expect from your care team every step of the way.
Discuss options with your doctor.
You can visit www.vbjs.com.au to review all options for treatment, which might include joint replacement. Joint replacement surgery has now been performed for many years and has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life. With modern technologies, many hip or knee replacements will last 20 years or longer. However, joint replacement is a major surgery, and does have a low level of risk and potential complications. It is important that you are aware of possible risks and complications, discuss them with your surgeon, and work together to minimize the chance of experiencing any.
It’s important to prepare ahead of surgery.
Before joint replacement, patients will often need blood tests, X-rays and possible evaluations by their medical doctors to ensure surgery will be safe. Your doctors will tell you which medications to stop taking right before surgery, rules about eating and drinking before surgery, and any other steps you need to take to prepare. This is a major surgery, and you will likely require some assistance at home until your mobility improves. The doctor and care team will help guide you on steps to take in advance, to make recovery easier.
Get to know your care team.
The patient’s health-care team has special training in orthopedics. They will help the patient through the surgery and hospital stay. The surgical team includes an orthopedic surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and registered nurses who oversee managing the care before, during and after surgery. During the patient’s hospital stay, physical and occupational therapists will provide education and practice mobility to ensure it is safe for the patient to go home. They will teach exercises to regain muscle strength, how to walk safely using assistive devices, and tips on how to complete necessary daily tasks. The rest of the care team consists of case managers, pharmacists, hospitalists and support staff. The entire care team works together to ensure the patient is taken care of during every step of the process.
If you are experiencing severe joint pain, it is important to discuss your unique scenario and options with your physician.
