Knee replacement surgery is a common and effective way to restore mobility and relieve pain in patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee. In most cases, knee replacement surgery is successful and produces excellent results. The procedure restores much of the original functionality of your knee joint while also addressing any underlying causes of pain and disability. However, the very idea of having to undergo surgery creates stress and anxiety in many people, especially the elderly, which is quite normal and understandable. In such an event, immediate family members and caregivers need to step in and do what it takes to prepare them for the upcoming surgery. 

What is a knee replacement?

A knee replacement is a procedure in which a surgeon replaces your knee joint with an artificial joint. The artificial joint is made of a metal and plastic component that is surgically implanted. Knee replacement surgery treats people who have advanced osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Knee replacement surgery restores function to the knee joint. You may notice an increased range of motion and decreased pain after knee replacement surgery. 

How to Prepare Seniors for Knee Replacement Surgery

Preparing our elderly folks for surgery is one big factor in the success of the surgery. The surgery’s run-up is critical to success, healing, and recovery. Knee replacement surgery is a major procedure that can significantly improve mobility and reduce pain for elderly individuals with severe knee damage or degeneration. Preparing for knee replacement surgery can be a challenging process, especially for elderly individuals who may have additional health concerns or mobility issues. 

The role of caretakers includes:

• Taking care of the patient’s emotional health.
• Sharing success stories of other patients to boost their morale.
• Ensuring their good health and diet before surgery.
• Providing moral support.
• Creating an environment of acceptance and readiness to help them come through successfully.

Here are some steps you can take to help prepare your elderly loved one for knee replacement surgery:

• Help them understand the surgery: Make sure they understand the surgery well and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Of course, the surgeon and their team will brief the patient and their immediate family about the surgical procedure, what it entails and the outcome, and all the nitty-gritty. However, as a caregiver, it is your responsibility to try and comprehend the medical implications of this surgery and pass on the net positive information to the patient. This hand-holding will also reduce the fear, stress, and nervousness that come before undergoing a surgical procedure. 
•  Follow the surgeon’s instructions: The surgeon will provide specific instructions on preparing for the surgery, such as fasting for a certain period before the procedure. It’s also important for the elderly to follow their surgeon’s instructions and attend any pre-surgery appointments or educational sessions. By preparing in advance and working closely with their healthcare team, they can increase their chances of a successful surgery and recovery.
• Discuss medications and allergies: Make sure to inform the surgeon and anesthesiologist about any medications your loved one is currently taking and any allergies they may have.
• Do Your Research: Additionally, reading up on doctor-backed articles and information about the procedure for the layperson is helpful. Do make sure all doubts and questions are addressed before the surgery. Constant reassurance to your elderly loved one that you will be there before, during, and after the surgery. 
• Attend pre-surgery tasks and appointments: Your loved one must attend all pre-surgery appointments with their surgeon and anesthesiologist to discuss the procedure and any potential risks or complications. Help them gather necessary medical documents or reports, fill out paperwork, and arrange transportation to and from the hospital.
• Prepare the home: Consider making any necessary adjustments to the home to make it easier for your loved one to move around after the surgery and make the recovery process more manageable. This may include installing handrails, removing tripping hazards, and ensuring all necessary items are within easy reach. This assures them that their needs and comfort are taken care of and acts as a morale booster.
• Help them get in shape: Encourage them to engage in gentle exercises to strengthen their muscles and improve their overall physical condition before surgery.
• Make arrangements for aftercare and recovery plan in place: Assure your elderly loved ones that post-surgery, there will be someone to help them with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and arrange for their healthy meals, balanced diet, medications, and other routine needs.
• Keep Expectations Realistic: Any knee surgery has its set of ups and downs in terms of absolutely no 100 percent guarantee despite both physical and mental preparations. The patient’s anxiety cannot be fathomed. It is in our hands how we handle questions around the tenure of recovery, the physical limitations during the recovery process, and what recovery and rehabilitation look like. 
• Be Prepared About The Risks: Both the patient and the caregiver must be ready and prepared for the risks of such surgeries. They include infection around the surgical site, damage to blood vessels that can lead to gangrene or even limb amputation, breathing trouble due to anaesthesia, damage to nerves, or metal allergies from the metals used in the artificial joints. 
• Keep their spirits up: Surgery can be stressful, so it’s important to offer emotional support and encouragement to help them stay positive and focused. They will feel irritable and anxious because of their immobility. They will feel tremendous helplessness due to their dependence on others. There will be bouts of low self-esteem and lack of confidence as well. Offer emotional support and reassurance to help them feel more comfortable and at ease.

Knee replacement surgery is a common and effective way to restore mobility and relieve pain in knee osteoarthritis patients. Many people dread getting a new knee, while others may have reservations. However, helping elderly patients know what knee replacement surgery entails and preparing them for it can make the process less stressful with their positive acceptance and mindset. 

What should I not do before knee replacement surgery?

– Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent surgical blood loss. 

How long does it take a 70-year-old to recover from knee surgery?

– It takes about 3-6 months for a full recovery.

How long do you need someone with you after knee replacement surgery?

– Post-operation, a patient needs a caregiver for 2-3 weeks for support and exercise assistance till they gain confidence and independence from pain.

What do you need at home after knee surgery?

–Lots of care and support besides good nutrition, timely medications, and exercise assistance.

Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure done to reverse knee damage, to relieve pain and disability caused by conditions such as arthritis. For people suffering from severe knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other similar ailment, knee replacement surgery may be able to offer relief. Whether you need to undergo a surgical procedure or not is a decision that you and your doctor will collectively take.

The procedure for knee replacement involves cutting away the damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with an artificial joint made of metal or plastic polymer.

The treatment methods for arthritis and other conditions as such are advancing day by day and providing better and more optimal long-term relief. This is where the futuristic robotic knee replacement surgery comes in. A lot of people have queries about the procedure and its after-effects. Here are 5 important things you should know about Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery.

• A robot does not perform the surgery

The robotic technology’s state-of-the-art 3D software lets your surgeon design and plan the surgery much in advance, making necessary adjustments in real-time to provide a more precise alignment of the implant as compared to conventional non-robotic partial knee replacement.

While up to 20% of patients are not happy with the outcome following Knee Replacement surgery, the use of a robot as an additional surgical tool helps the surgeon during all stages of the knee replacement surgery and helps in delivering the best possible outcome.

• Improved accuracy

Robotic assistance technology enhances the surgeon’s expertise, preventing accidental surrounding tissue damage aiding in greater precision during surgery. It helps the surgeon to pre-plan bone cuts and implant sizes, unique to your anatomy.

The 3D images of the knee obtained through a CT scan help the surgeon to specialize and prepare for the surgery. These images help the doctor to plan for the optimal type of implant and the accurate placement of the same. Robotic knee replacement surgery acts as a guide, helping your surgeon to follow a laid-out plan much in advance, as compared to traditional knee replacement surgery.

• Faster Recovery

The robotic arm helps with lesser tissue trauma as well as minimal bone and blood loss, as it follows the specified dimensions set before surgery. This helps with faster recovery and lesser post-operative pain. It also allows the implant to be placed with precision, therefore increasing the overall longevity of the new joint. Due to greater accuracy, there are fewer complications and hence a lower chance of revision surgery.

• Candidature varies

If you are a candidate for traditional knee replacement surgery, chances are you are a likely candidate for robotic knee replacement surgery. It is equally important to talk with your doctor to evaluate your surgical and non-surgical options.

Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may or may not recommend surgery. They might also recommend less invasive treatment methods first like anti-inflammatory medications, weight loss through diet or exercise, physical therapy, cortisone shots, and or knee braces. If these are unable to help significantly, knee replacement surgery may help. Robotic knee replacement means more accurate implant positioning, which is a plus for middle-aged patients who can undergo knee replacement surgery and get back to their usual active lifestyle.

Having said that, it is always recommended to discuss all the possible options with your surgeon, irrespective of your age, and then opt for knee replacement surgery is suggested.

• Lesser Risk

With traditional surgery, there is only a 2% chance that serious complications may occur. Robotic knee replacement surgery comes with the same risks as traditional knee replacement surgery, namely:

• Infections

• Nerve damage

• Allergic reactions to the materials used in the artificial joints

• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)

Although robotic knee replacement procedures require a smaller incision and potentially can be performed with greater accuracy, doctors are hopeful that these risks can be significantly reduced.

Because knee replacement surgeries have been using the traditional approach way longer than the robotic approach, more benefits of robotic joint replacement surgery are yet to be understood and validated with data. Need for more research is essential to determine whether or not robotic-assisted technology is as effective for total knee replacement. Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery is all about optimal execution and implant positioning, which leads to a better and faster recovery. So, make sure you take your doctor’s advice and make an informed decision.

Do you often skip taking the stairs and opt for elevators because of your knee pain? Does walking few meters feels like too much? If so then you are not alone, you are one of the millions of people who have been suffering from chronic knee pain. There is no point in sugar-coating it as we all know knee pain ruins the fun in life. The positive news is there are options available for those who are suffering from pain. At first, most doctors will try to treat in non-invasive ways that are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, therapy, or these days even stem cell-derived growth factor injection but if your knee pain is disabling and alternative treatments are not working, knee replacement surgery might be the best route for you. 

A knee replacement surgery can be life-altering for patients with knee pain. This surgery eliminates pain and helps restore mobility so that the patients can resume their active lifestyle. A knee replacement surgery might sound intimidating but advanced technology has made this procedure more effective with the best outcomes. This can be performed in a conventional way where the surgeon seats the implants manually or with the assistance of a robotic arm controlled by the surgeon. Let us understand the difference between these procedures so that they can help you be more at ease. 

 Traditional Knee Replacement Surgery

Traditional knee replacement surgery has been existing for more than 70 years. This technique typically replaces only a part of the joint. Based on the x-ray an experienced surgeon will carefully examine the correct alignment and positioning for the metal implant. The surgeon then cements the prosthesis and all this is done manually by a surgeon. This replaces the damaged part of the knee which results in more natural feeling and movement. It facilitates quicker recovery and returns to normal activities. 

Conventional knee replacement surgery started a revolution in the medical sector and with advanced research and development new forms of surgery have come up to benefit the patients in a better and effective way. It is one step ahead of traditional knee replacement surgery. With the intervention of robotics in medical science it has given another direction, it has touched the orthopedic sector and has proven beneficial in bringing effective results for the patients undergoing robotic knee replacement surgery. 

Do you often skip taking the stairs and opt for elevators because of your knee pain? Does walking few meters feels like too much? If so then you are not alone, you are one of the millions of people who have been suffering from chronic knee pain. There is no point in sugar-coating it as we all know knee pain ruins the fun in life. The positive news is there are options available for those who are suffering from pain. At first, most doctors will try to treat in non-invasive ways that are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, therapy, or these days even stem cell-derived growth factor injection but if your knee pain is disabling and alternative treatments are not working, knee replacement surgery might be the best route for you. 

A knee replacement surgery can be life-altering for patients with knee pain. This surgery eliminates pain and helps restore mobility so that the patients can resume their active lifestyle. A knee replacement surgery might sound intimidating but advanced technology has made this procedure more effective with the best outcomes. This can be performed in a conventional way where the surgeon seats the implants manually or with the assistance of a robotic arm controlled by the surgeon. Let us understand the difference between these procedures so that they can help you be more at ease. 

 Traditional Knee Replacement Surgery

Traditional knee replacement surgery has been existing for more than 70 years. This technique typically replaces only a part of the joint. Based on the x-ray an experienced surgeon will carefully examine the correct alignment and positioning for the metal implant. The surgeon then cements the prosthesis and all this is done manually by a surgeon. This replaces the damaged part of the knee which results in more natural feeling and movement. It facilitates quicker recovery and returns to normal activities. 

Conventional knee replacement surgery started a revolution in the medical sector and with advanced research and development new forms of surgery have come up to benefit the patients in a better and effective way. It is one step ahead of traditional knee replacement surgery. With the intervention of robotics in medical science it has given another direction, it has touched the orthopedic sector and has proven beneficial in bringing effective results for the patients undergoing robotic knee replacement surgery.