The doctor suggested that you need an endoprosthesis, but you, despite the pain, hold back the decision. The fear caused by the opinions heard here and there? In this article you will find the most common doubts before the hip or knee replacement surgery which are dispelled by a specialist doctor in the field of orthopaedics and traumatology.
Knee & Hip replacement surgery abroad – Question No 1: Is it better to wait with the hip replacement surgery until I cannot walk at all?
Each surgical procedure carries a specific risk, so before making a decision about the hip or knee replacement surgery, you should try to reduce the discomfort and pain by modifying the activity, taking the recommended medication and rehabilitation. Everything, under the doctor’s supervision, of course. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis, which is the most common cause of the hip and knee degeneration, develops slowly but steadily. The bone is also constantly being destroyed. The larger the bone degeneration process, the more difficult it will be to regain full fitness after surgery. If the conservative methods of pain management and physiotherapy are no longer helpful, maybe it is time for the hip or knee replacement surgery.
Knee & Hip replacement surgery abroad – Question No 2: I’m too young / too old for the knee or hip endoprosthesis implantation surgery.
There are no age restrictions for undergoing the knee or hip endoprosthesis surgery. If – despite conservative treatment – pain in the joint prevents you from daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, sitting etc., it might be the right time for surgery. Age doesn’t matter here. The important factor is general health as well as your bones and muscles strength. If the surgery is carried out early enough when the bone structure is still good and the muscles that surround the degenerated joint are in the fit condition, then such a person can still return to the painless and active life including normal activities, work, and often even to play sports – usually the low impact ones. In younger patients, the risk of having to repeat surgery after some time (due to endoprosthesis wear) is now lower, thanks to increasingly modern materials from which the endoprosthesis is made, but still cannot be eliminated.
Knee & Hip replacement surgery abroad – Question No 3: Postoperative pain is unbearable, worse than the illness.
With such a complex surgical procedure, postoperative pain cannot be completely avoided, but its perception can be definitely reduced by appropriate medications and painkillers. What is worth remembering that the postoperative pain will eventually pass, but the one caused by the degenerated or broken joint and bone destruction will only get worse.
Knee & Hip replacement surgery abroad – Question No 4: After the surgery, I will always be limited by numerous restrictions
In most cases, especially in elderly patients, it should not be expected that after the procedure you will be able to do absolutely everything what you did before the joints problem started. However, most people achieve far greater efficiency than they had in the period before surgery and, what is vital, they finally stop suffering from pain. With proper rehabilitation, with the time you can swim, walk, ride a bike, play golf, some even return to their beloved skis. However, you need to give yourself some time and do not stop the rehabilitation due to any reason. Our specialists often say that successful surgery is the first 50% of the total result. Another half is a thorough, proper rehabilitation. You need to be dedicated and start just after the procedure. Most of the Patients should stand up already on the first day following the surgery. You need to strengthen the muscles and be careful when exercising, because due to the willingness to alleviate the operated leg some people start developing the unsymmetric movement.
Knee & Hip replacement surgery abroad – Question No 5: I will not be able to fend for myself at home after the surgery
In the first weeks after leaving the hospital, you need help from other people – it is mainly about transport, cooking, caring for pets. Even before the operation, it is good to rearrange the furniture at home so that they do not interfere with moving on crutches or using a walker. It is even good to remove carpets and cables that you might trip over during the recovery period. Pre-operative rehabilitation, a short 5-14-day stay in the rehabilitation ward seems to be very helpful, during which you can strengthen the muscles and learn proper postoperative management – walking with crutches, bending down, reaching for objects, etc. We have prepared a special guide for people undergoing a total knee or hip replacement abroad – with useful tips on how to reorganize your apartment before going to the clinic, to have no problems after coming back with your new joint.
