Preparing for knee replacement surgery in India
Knee Replacement is an orthopedic surgery procedure that helps in relieving knee pain and helps a patient lead more active life. To have successful outcomes of a knee replacement, you need to prepare yourself both physically and mentally prior to undergoing the surgery.
Having an early preparation done before knee replacement surgery ensures a smooth surgery and a swift recovery. Especially if you are traveling abroad for a knee replacement, you need to prepare yourself meticulously much earlier before the day of the surgery.
Prior to undergoing a knee replacement surgery in India, you must -
(a) Clearly understand the procedure - You must know the procedure well and for this you must ask as many questions from your surgeon as possible so that he could guide you what to expect before, during and after the surgery. The more you understand the procedure, the easier will be for you to face difficult situations during and after your knee replacement.
(b) Prepare yourself physically for the surgery - There are some physical preparations that you would need to make such as -
• Quit smoking as it delays healing and slows down the process of recovery.
• Your doctor would put you on a weight loss program if you are overweight.
• Cut down alcohol for at least 48 hours before the surgery.
• Your doctor would put you on a pre-surgical exercise program which would include Isometric exercises so as to strengthen your leg muscles which would help you cope with crutches and walker after the surgery. Also you should ask for post-operative exercises so as to practice them now which would help you perform them easily after your surgery.
(c) Arrange for your medical and personal assistance -
• Designate a family member who could be your primary contact for correspondence with your doctor and take complete care of you during and after the surgery.
• Make a list of medical conditions you currently have, the medications you are taking and doctors you see and their contact numbers in case there is any emergency to see them.
• Inform your doctor if you have any allergies or adverse reaction to anesthesia and any sort of dietary restrictions or other health problems.
(d) Do Home Preparations - Prior to your surgery prepare for your return so as to avoid any last minute hassles. Arrange your post surgery follow up trips with the surgeon. Purchase crutches or walker, raised toilet seat, bedside commode, tub chair etc which will be required during and post your knee replacement.
Make sure that your guesthouse/ home is equipped with:
• Raised toilet seat.
• Chair for bathing and securing handrail in your bath.
• A reaching device so as to grab objects from a distance without bending the hip.
• Secure handrails along the staircase.
(e) Do Medical Preparations -
• Several weeks before your surgery, your physician would conduct your medical evaluation to assess your health and risk for general anaesthesia.
• Just before your surgery, you would have an orthopedic check up to review your procedure.
• Before the surgery several types of tests would be conducted such as blood tests, urine sample, chest X-ray etc.
• If you are planning any dental work, you would be advised to schedule them much before your surgery.
• Consult with your surgeon about all the medications being taken by you as medications such as corticosteroids, anti-coagulants would need to be managed before and after the surgery.
(f) Do Preparations 24 hours before the surgery
You would be advised not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your knee replacement surgery. You would be told to take a shower a night before the surgery so as to avoid any post surgery infection. You would be advised to take to the hospital a number of items including:
• Comfortable bedroom slippers.
• Knee length robe.
• Medications that you have been taking.
• Your personal care objects such as denture case, eyeglass case etc.
(The information provided above is for general reference and cannot be replaced with the advice of your doctor. Our concern is to educate individuals about key things required before preparing for your knee replacement surgery.)
Having an early preparation done before knee replacement surgery ensures a smooth surgery and a swift recovery. Especially if you are traveling abroad for a knee replacement, you need to prepare yourself meticulously much earlier before the day of the surgery.
Prior to undergoing a knee replacement surgery in India, you must -
(a) Clearly understand the procedure - You must know the procedure well and for this you must ask as many questions from your surgeon as possible so that he could guide you what to expect before, during and after the surgery. The more you understand the procedure, the easier will be for you to face difficult situations during and after your knee replacement.
(b) Prepare yourself physically for the surgery - There are some physical preparations that you would need to make such as -
• Quit smoking as it delays healing and slows down the process of recovery.
• Your doctor would put you on a weight loss program if you are overweight.
• Cut down alcohol for at least 48 hours before the surgery.
• Your doctor would put you on a pre-surgical exercise program which would include Isometric exercises so as to strengthen your leg muscles which would help you cope with crutches and walker after the surgery. Also you should ask for post-operative exercises so as to practice them now which would help you perform them easily after your surgery.
(c) Arrange for your medical and personal assistance -
• Designate a family member who could be your primary contact for correspondence with your doctor and take complete care of you during and after the surgery.
• Make a list of medical conditions you currently have, the medications you are taking and doctors you see and their contact numbers in case there is any emergency to see them.
• Inform your doctor if you have any allergies or adverse reaction to anesthesia and any sort of dietary restrictions or other health problems.
(d) Do Home Preparations - Prior to your surgery prepare for your return so as to avoid any last minute hassles. Arrange your post surgery follow up trips with the surgeon. Purchase crutches or walker, raised toilet seat, bedside commode, tub chair etc which will be required during and post your knee replacement.
Make sure that your guesthouse/ home is equipped with:
• Raised toilet seat.
• Chair for bathing and securing handrail in your bath.
• A reaching device so as to grab objects from a distance without bending the hip.
• Secure handrails along the staircase.
(e) Do Medical Preparations -
• Several weeks before your surgery, your physician would conduct your medical evaluation to assess your health and risk for general anaesthesia.
• Just before your surgery, you would have an orthopedic check up to review your procedure.
• Before the surgery several types of tests would be conducted such as blood tests, urine sample, chest X-ray etc.
• If you are planning any dental work, you would be advised to schedule them much before your surgery.
• Consult with your surgeon about all the medications being taken by you as medications such as corticosteroids, anti-coagulants would need to be managed before and after the surgery.
(f) Do Preparations 24 hours before the surgery
You would be advised not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your knee replacement surgery. You would be told to take a shower a night before the surgery so as to avoid any post surgery infection. You would be advised to take to the hospital a number of items including:
• Comfortable bedroom slippers.
• Knee length robe.
• Medications that you have been taking.
• Your personal care objects such as denture case, eyeglass case etc.
(The information provided above is for general reference and cannot be replaced with the advice of your doctor. Our concern is to educate individuals about key things required before preparing for your knee replacement surgery.)
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