Has your knee pain gotten so terrible that you can hardly walk? If so, maybe you have a plan to take care of that pain. Or, you may not even know where to start the process of getting relief for your knee. If that's true, read on for information that might turn out to be extremely beneficial.
Your Primary Care Doctor - If you already have a primary care doctor that you trust, start by seeing him or her. Your doctor will more than likely send you to get X-rays of your knee as soon as you can be seen by an X-ray technician. It won't take long to find out if you have a serious problem that needs to be taken care of with surgery.
An Orthopedic Surgeon - Your primary care doctor will have the names of orthopedic surgeons that he or she can recommend. After you have selected one that is in your area, you can move forward with a plan of action. At your first meeting with the orthopedic surgeon, he or she will study the X-rays that you already have or new ones will be taken. You probably won't be very surprised if the diagnosis includes having knee replacement surgery.
If it is not convenient for you to have surgery at this time, the orthopedic surgeon might suggest that you have a series of injections that will give you tremendous relief until you are ready for your surgery. Another option that the surgeon might give you is to inject gel in the joint area that is causing you pain. Like the injections, gel placement is only a temporary solution.
When you and the surgeon can agree on a date for your knee replacement surgery, you will more than likely be invited to attend a class that will explain all that you need to know about the surgery. It might also be recommended that you have physical therapy before your surgery, as that might help after the surgery has taken place.
After Your Surgery - Hopefully, you will have already been told that you will experience some real pain, especially after the anesthetic has worn off.
Fortunately, you will be given pain medication from the very beginning. Another thing that will happen from the beginning is that you'll be expected to walk short distances. Be sure to have a support system to help you when you get home. Even with a walker, you should have somebody with you when you go to the bathroom. Your physical therapist will become your best friend. Do therapy consistently and your recovery will go well.
Each time you go in for a follow-up appointment, have questions ready for the orthopedic surgeon to answer. There may be times when you see the surgeon's physician assistant. Finally, the day will come when you will be released from the doctor's care. However, even after that, remember that the doctor and his or her staff are there to help you through your recovery.
To learn more, contact a resource like the Orthopaedic Associates Of Rochester.
