Knee Doctor Potomac, MD
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, you may want to make an appointment to see a knee doctor Potomac MD trusts at the Pain Arthritis Relief Center. One of our reputable knee doctors may review the surgery with you in detail and discuss all the benefits and risks you should know about. After you have learned everything you can about the procedure, you may decide whether or not you still want to go through with it.
What Is Knee Replacement Surgery?
Also referred to as arthroplasty, knee replacement surgery aims to resurface a knee that has been damaged by arthritis. During the surgery, a knee doctor in Potomac MD may cap the ends of the bones that form the knee joint with plastic and metal parts.
Individuals with severe forms of arthritis in the knee may opt for this surgery. Their knee pain may prevent them from doing everyday activities, such as climbing stairs. If medications and other treatments don’t help relieve knee pain, surgery may be the best option.
Who is a Candidate For Knee Surgery?
If you are wondering whether you are a candidate for knee surgery, know you are not alone. Hundreds of thousands of people deal with knee discomfort and pain every single day, bad enough to where they consider their eligibility for knee replacement surgery. Of course, no one loves the idea of having surgery, however, it can be the solution that changes a person’s life for the better. Our team uses only the most current and efficient equipment and strategies to help people of all ages combat knee pain.
To put it simply, the only way to know for sure if you are a good candidate for knee replacement surgery is to speak with a reputable knee doctor who has their patient’s best interest at heart. Factors that will be considered when evaluating a patient for knee replacement surgery include:
- Assessing medical history
- Type and severity of knee pain
- The knee ability to function
- Results of physical exam and other diagnostics
- What has been tried so far to reduce knee pain
- Past injuries or knee condition diagnosis
When knee pain is invasive enough that someone’s way of life is affected, then it’s time to consider surgery. Have you ever missed out on a social gathering that was important to you because you were worried it would worsen your knee pain? Are there hobbies or traveling you would engage in again if your knee was better? Is the pain or discomfort still present to some degree even when you are resting? These are questions to ask yourself, because if the pain is bad enough, then it’s more than worth looking into treatment options that can yield lasting results.
Swelling, inflammation, and redness of the knee that doesn’t get better within a few days may need to be treated by a knee doctor either through a specific care plan or by undergoing replacement surgery. If your knee bows outward, inward, or there is a visible deformity when comparing both knees, these are also signs that you should schedule an appointment with our clinic as soon as possible.
Before having knee replacement surgery, your doctor will ask about what you have tried so far to alleviate the pain. Be transparent with your doctor in letting him or her know about medications, cortison injections, physical therapy, or other methods you’ve used to cope with the discomfort. If everything you have tried has not made lasting and true results for you, then complete knee surgery may be ultimately recommended.
What Are the Risks of Knee Surgery?
Like with all surgical procedures, knee surgery comes with risks. Here are some of the risks that are associated with this surgical procedure:
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Fracture
- Nerve damage
- Knee stiffness
Be sure to discuss all these risks with your knee doctor Potomac MD relies on before undergoing surgery. He or she may determine your likelihood of experiencing any of these complications and if you are good candidate for the surgery.
How Do You Prepare for Knee Surgery?
In order for knee replacement surgery to go as smoothly as possible, it is important to be properly prepared. During your initial consultation, your Potomac knee doctor may ask you detailed questions about your medical history to make sure you are in good health. Tell your doctor all the medications you are currently taking and if you’re allergic to anything.
Your knee doctor Potomac MD counts on may ask you to not eat anything for eight hours before the surgery to prevent vomiting. He or she may also suggest for you to ask someone to help you around the house a couple weeks after the surgery.
What Is the Recovery Process?
After knee replacement surgery, it is important to rest for a while. Strenuous activities, like heavy exercise, may slow down the healing process. A knee doctor Potomac MD respects may also advise you to keep the surgical area clean and dry and take pain relievers as needed. It may be necessary to use a walker or cane until you regain your balance and strength. Making modifications in your home may help simplify the recovery process.
Knee surgery may change your life for the better and help you participate in activities that were too difficult before. Of course, knee surgery is not a perfect answer for every type of knee pain. If you’d like to speak with an experienced knee doctor Potomac MD has to offer about whether knee surgery is a good option for you, contact the Pain Arthritis Relief Center today at (301) 710-9777.
