Knee Cap Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery is effective in decreasing pain and disability among those who have knee problems that are caused by conditions such as arthritis, avascular necrosis or other conditions. During this surgery, the surgeon cuts bone and cartilage that is damaged from the thighbone, shin and kneecap. A metal and plastic prosthesis is inserted in their place.

Knee replacement surgery can benefit people who have pain that limits them from doing simple things, such as walking along a golf course, climbing stairs or standing up from chairs and sitting down.
It can also relieve pain for those who have chronic stiffness in their knees or consistent swelling that limits the movement of the knee. It is usually performed for those who have tried medications, weight loss, braces, therapy and other treatments that have not helped.

The risk of any serious side effect or complication from knee replacement surgery is rare. For every 100 surgeries, only about one or two people have any kind of serious complication. Some of the potential risks include heart attack, stroke, nerve damage, knee stiffness, infection and blood clots. Any surgery carries with it some potential risks.

Realize that you may not be able to walk without crutches or a walker for a few weeks. To prepare for this, you should make a living space in your home that is all on one floor, as getting up and down stairs will be difficult. You also may want to install handrails in the bath or shower. A handrail next to the toilet also may be needed. You may want to include a stable bench in the shower so you do not need to stand in the shower for more than a few moments at a time.

Exercise is imperative to recovery. Soon after the surgery, you can begin an escalating walking program. This program should start indoors and gradually move outdoors once you become comfortable. Begin to slowly resume walking up and down stairs and doing household chores. Before you leave the hospital, your physical therapist will show you exercises you can do. It is important to consistently do these exercises. Once you have completely recovered--probably in about four to six weeks--you can begin playing golf again. Be sure to check with your doctor first.