Saturday, September 26, 2009

What Is Included In An Orthopedic Evaluation?

By Dr. Stefan Tarlow

Knee Replacement Surgery and Its Effect on Your Life

Following your knee replacement surgery, you will see a big difference in your life in terms of reduction of pain and increase in mobility. However, before you decide to have knee surgery, it is important to understand that you cannot expect miracles from it. You can realistically expect to return to normal activities of daily living with reduced pain.

With more than 90 percent of knee replacement recipients reporting markedly reduced pain and dramatically improved mobility, this is a very popular and successful surgical procedure. While it can surely improve your life, it is important to understand that it will not give you any abilities you did not have before the surgery. It will simply give you a non-diseased knee that will allow you to perform your activities of daily living relatively pain free.

Additionally, it is important to remember that you must avoid some activities after surgery, even if they were activities you enjoyed before surgery. Jogging and high-impact sports must be given up.

In fact, you will want to handle your knee replacement with some care to extend its life. If you overuse your knee, you will cause excessive wear and tear on the plastic cushion. When it wears out, it will loosen, causing you pain. Following your total knee replacement surgery, it will be important to engage in only light to moderate exercise on a regular basis.

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During your evaluation, your orthopedic surgeon will talk with you and do a few tests:

First, a medical history will be taken that covers your health in general and your knee symptoms in particular.

Physical Examination: To assess the strength, stability and ROM (range of motion) of your knee as well as the alignment of your leg.

Third, the amount of deformity and damage will be assessed using x-ray.

Fourth, a battery of tests will be taken. These may include a bone scan, blood tests, and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

After your evaluation, you will have a consultation with your orthopedic surgeon to go over the results. He or she will review the options: Total knee replacement or other surgery, injections, physical therapy, or medication. Together, you will determine a course of action that will resolve your pain and mobility issues.

At this point, your orthopedic surgeon will also clarify any risks that may be involved in total knee replacement surgery, rehabilitation, and functioning in day-to-day life with a knee replacement.

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