Getting Over Major Operations

When we have to face a major operation, it is best if we develop a inner personal strength for what lies ahead. For example, let us take a knee replacement operation into consideration.

A knee replacement may be a the choice for those who are subject to arthritis that limits their everyday activities. Included in these activities are such things as walking and bending down. If the pain continues while you are at rest, or if you knee is too stiff to move, or you do not have the ability to lift a leg. Knee replacement may be a consideration.

This will be a recommendation only after careful diagnosis of your entire joint problems with your specialist. If you find that you do not have much pain relief from your anti-inflammatory drugs or other treatments, then it may be time for you to consider a knee replacement. Even if you have tried physical therapy as an option and you still do not feel any relieve from your knee pain, then a visit to your doctor is in order.

A knee replacement has been performed in various hospitals for more than 50 years. It is a surgery that replaces painful joints with an artificial joint called prosthesis. This prosthesis is constructed of various strong metal alloys such as titanium.

They will also include high-grade plastics that have the function of performing as your bone and cartilage. The artificial prosthesis is designed in such a way so as to move much like a healthy human joint. Over the many years that these prosthesis replacements have been made, they have changed a great deal and now can offer the patient the highest of quality standards in form and function.

Here is a list of things to expect on the day of your knee replacement surgery. First of all, you will arrive at the hospital at the appointed time. Then you will be required to complete the admission process that all hospitals ask for. You will then have a final per-surgery assessment of all of your vital signs and a check of your overall general health.

You will next have a meeting with the anesthesiologist who will be a part of the operating team. You will be then given a intravenous catheter for liquids or antibiotics that you may need before and during your operation.

Then it is off to the operating room where your surgery will normally last for about one or two hours. This is of course if there are no complications. After you leave the operating room you will be transported to a recovery room.

There they hospital staff will monitor you for all of your vital signs until your condition is stabilized. Once stabilized, you will then go to your individual hospital room and receive orientation about the hospital routine that will occur during your stay.

A physical therapist should then soon drop by to evaluate you and explain to you about the rehabilitation program that you will be on. The nurse will make sure that you understand all that will happen during your stay.

Finally a dietician will inform you of the future meals that you can select. That visit I am sure will keep you motivated to have a fast recovery.