Pain Management Practices After Knee Replacement Surgery

Pain Management Practices After Knee Replacement Surgery in Lancaster, CA and Valencia, CA

If a bad knee makes it hard to climb stairs or even walk, and medications, injections, a cane, or physical therapy are no longer enough, it is time to consider replacing it with a better one. Whether the cause is injury or arthritis, you don’t want to damage it more or even risk an accident by continuing to struggle.

You may not know that Total Knee Replacement (TKP) is common (nearly 800,000 operations a year in the U.S. alone) and very successful (over 90% of new knees last more than 15 years), while any pain afterwards can be minimized.

And AVORS Medical Group is one of the most respected pain management specialists in the region, with Dr. Sherfey and Dr. Anetbi leading the team.

The surgery only takes about an hour, with anesthesia making it painless. Afterward, you will be moved to a recovery room for a few hours while it wears off, under the care of our highly-skilled nurses. A prescription will manage any pain when you get home, which most patients are able to do the same day (some prefer to stay overnight).

Over 95% of TKP patients find that their prior knee pain is significantly reduced and they are able to participate in many daily activities for the first time since they became disabled.

Full recovery and pain management depend largely on how well you follow the surgeon’s instructions, as the knee area adjusts to the new prosthetic, it goes through a natural healing process. You should plan to be off work for 1-3 weeks (manual workers may need 2-3 months before returning). You will need to be on crutches for a few days. In advance of the operation, you should have arranged for a handrail and a chair in the shower or bathtub, with a footstool to occasionally elevate the leg. Plan to remain on the first floor initially and remove any loose carpets. Many people can resume driving in a few weeks.

Full recovery will take several months and it is most important to elevate your leg higher than your hip on a pillow several times a day. Rest it as often as possible to avoid swelling from too much activity. Ice packs will reduce swelling and pain. Be sure to take your medication at the same time each day, as directed by your physician. Vital to a quick recovery and avoidance of a stiff knee developing is to do light exercise, such as walking, first in the house, then outside.

A detailed discussion of the procedure, known as arthroscopy, can be found here . Please call if you have any questions.