How to Prepare for Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty
If you have been suffering from severe, ongoing pain and stiffness in your knees, there is hope for change. Even if you have tried a variety of treatments due to your arthritis, there may still be options which can help you return to a more comfortable way of life. Bilateral total knee replacement can help. If you have talked to your doctor and he or she decides that this option is right for you, the expert surgeons at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute can help you discover how to prepare for bilateral total knee arthroplasty in order to ensure your best chance at success.
Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty
One of the important prerequisites for understanding how to prepare for bilateral total knee arthroplasty is to really comprehend what the procedure entails. When you better understand what it is your surgeons will be doing, you can more effectively ask questions and anticipate concerns. Bilateral total knee arthroplasty, also known as double total knee replacement, is typically performed on individuals who have experienced severe loss of cartilage in both knees. First, the arthritic surface of each joint is removed. Then, new metal and plastic surfaces, called prostheses, replace the bone ends which have been shaved away.
Talk With Your Doctor
First and foremost, it is imperative that you talk with your doctor about your particular case of arthritis and the approach your surgeons will take. For some individuals, it is best to replace both knees at the same time; for others, it is helpful to have a staged arthroplasty, which replaces each knee separately, several months apart. Factors including your current health and surgical history can be important parts of making this decision, so make sure to establish open communication with your doctor early on. Then, you can ask your doctor how to prepare for bilateral total knee arthroplasty as you will experience it.
Prepare for Surgery and Recovery
Once you understand the details of your surgery and have scheduled the procedure at an outstanding orthopaedics practice like Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, you can begin to prepare for your procedure. Leading up to the date of the arthroplasty, do your best to optimize your health, including eating well and exercising as you are able. Starting off with good health can help to ensure a more successful recovery. Additionally, make sure that you have the care and assistance you will need during the period of recovery. You may need assistance with walking for two to six weeks after the procedure; because this may make some household chores, as well as driving, difficult, it is important to talk with friends and family who can help in advance.
Most importantly, make sure that you will be receiving your total knee arthroplasty procedure from experienced knee surgeons. If you live in or near Philadelphia or Southern New Jersey, your best option is Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. For more information, contact us today.
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