Total Knee Replacement Preparation

How do you prepare for Total Knee Replacement surgery?

Before your procedure, your records will be reviewed thoroughly by your orthopedic surgeon. This includes X-rays and a complete medical and surgical history as well as your specific issues. After traveling to your country of destination, a new set of Xrays will be taken as well as an in person physical examination. The doctor will also go through you medical and surgical issues with you. During this visit, your surgeon will also review your hip replacement procedure and answer any questions. In addition, you may be asked to consult with a physical therapist to discuss recovery, hip rehabilitation and important precautions you must take after your surgery. The physical therapist may give you exercises you can begin prior to your surgery in order to aid with recovery.

Getting your house ready before your surgery

Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, India

It is also important to get your house ready for after you come home from the hospital. At first it will be harder for you to move around, so arrange your furniture and household items ahead of time to make it easier for you during your rehabilitation.

• Remove all your throw rugs or anything on the floor that may cause you to trip.
• Move phone and electrical cords close to the walls.
• Add pillows or cushions to the chairs you will be using after surgery to make sure that your hip is above the level of your knees when you are seated. This will lessen the risk of dislocation of your new hip.
• Arrange to have an elevated toilet seat or support bars fitted to your bathroom before you leave the hospital.
• Move necessary personal items you need to reach to shelves and tables that are above your waist level. You should not be bending past 90 degrees during rehabilitation.

Preparation for the hospital

You may want to bring the following items to the hospital for your knee replacement surgery:

Clothing: underwear, socks, t-shirts, exercise shorts for rehabilitation Footwear: walking or tennis shoes for rehab; slippers for hospital room Walking aids: walker, cane, wheelchair, or crutches if used prior to surgery

Preoperative Procedures

On the morning of your knee replacement surgery your vital signs will be taken, you’ll be given a clean hospital gown to wear during the procedure, and an IV will be started to give you fluids and medication during and after the procedure. You may be provided an elastic stocking to decrease the likelihood of blood clots. You will be asked to empty your bladder. All jewelry, dentures, contacts, and nail polish must be removed. The surgical leg will be scrubbed and shaved in preparation for surgery. The anesthesiologist will come into your room and discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used. Finally, you will be taken into the operating room.

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