Myth 1. “I Should Delay Knee Replacement Surgery As Long As Possible.”
Fact – It is not advisable to delay surgery. The reason is that such a prolonged wait may worsen your condition to a point where surgery becomes complicated and recovery takes longer. Also, such a long delay may result in loss of mobility because of which your overall health may deteriorate – making you suffer from weight issues, heart problems, and emotional distress – among other problems.
Myth 2. Pain-killer Medications can Help Prevent Knee Replacement Surgery.
Fact – Painkillers give symptomatic relief for a short duration. Consuming painkillers for a long time may have an adverse effect on your kidneys and liver. Also, advanced arthritis cannot be cured with medicines. Rheumatoid patients are generally better off if they get knee replacement at a younger age. Additionally, late surgery may be associated with complications, and recovery may be slower.
Myth 3. Alternative Treatments such as Acupressure, Massage, Oils, Braces, Laser Therapy, Magnetic Therapy can Cure Advanced Arthritis and Knee Pain.
Fact – Alternative treatments, including orthobiologics – PRP injections, stem cell therapy, hyaluronic injections, and others may be helpful in the initial stages of knee damage. However, there is no scientific evidence for the same. For long-term relief, you need to get total knee replacement.
Myth 4. “I’m Too Old to Get TKR.”
Fact – Anybody suffering from knee pain and mobility issues can choose to get TKR irrespective of age. If clinically fit, elderly patients can also get total knee replacement surgery done. There are instances of several patients who underwent knee replacement after crossing the age of 80. They are enjoying life after their knee surgery.
Myth 5. You have to Bear a Lot of Pain after Knee Replacement.
Fact – No. Had it been so, how could patients start walking the same or next day after their surgery? Moreover, the advent of robotic knee replacement surgery and advanced pain management techniques ensures you do not feel much pain during or after surgery, and have a smooth recovery.
Myth 6. Sports and Some Other Activities will Not be Possible after Knee Replacement.
Fact – You are very likely to be able to perform activities like brisk walking, cycling, and playing tennis in 6 to 12 weeks. However, it is better to avoid high impact sports without consulting your doctor.
Myth 7. “I cannot Drive After Knee Replacement.”
Fact – This is yet another myth. Driving becomes much easier after knee replacement. Most patients start driving within 6-8 weeks of surgery.
Myth 8. You Need Months to Recover After Knee Replacement.
Fact – May be a few weeks, but not months! 24-48 hours after surgery, you can go to the washroom on your own. By this time, you are allowed to start bearing weight and bending your knees. 3 weeks post surgery, you can participate in outdoor social activities. You can start cooking food in 4 weeks of surgery. Majority of patients can get back to their job in 6 weeks.
Myth 9. Both Knees Cannot Be Operated in One Sitting.
Fact – If you do not have any significant comorbidities, and are deemed fit for the procedure, you can get both knees replaced in the same sitting. In fact, quite a lot of patients get both knees replaced at the same time. It helps you save recovery time and duration of hospital stay. Instead of getting admitted to hospital twice, you have to get admitted only once. Same goes for recovery – both knees recover together.
Myth 10. Knee Implants Last For Only 10 Years.
Fact – With the advanced and more precise robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery and advancement in biomaterials, knee implants have become quite long-lasting. They typically last 20-25 years or longer. For many people, artificial knees last a lifetime.
Myth 11. “Being Overweight, I Cannot Undergo Knee Replacement Surgery.”
Fact – Even obese individuals can successfully get knee replacement, with results comparable to those in people with normal weight. However, it needs more expertise and some special techniques. Sometimes patients continue to wait trying to reduce weight before their surgery. In fact, if you suffer from painful arthritis, it could be hard to lose weight since this problem seriously affects your mobility. Contratrily, many patients lose weight after surgery as they can go for brisk walking and exercise after knee replacement.
Myth 12. Those with Diabetes, Hypertension, or Heart Disease cannot Undergo TKR.
Fact – Diabetic, Hypertensive, and Heart patients can very well go for surgery. At Sohana Orthopaedic Centre, a number of detailed diagnostic tests are done for every patient to minimize the risk of complications. For example, pre-anaesthetic checkup, Echo-cardiography, Dobutamine stress echo-cardiography, Thallium stress echo-cardiography, etc., are done before surgery. Patients who have already been treated for heart disease (with stenting or bypass) are better suited for knee surgery than untreated heart patients. While these diseases do not affect the result of the surgery, we exercise caution. In fact, you can better manage your diabetes, hypertension, and heart health after TKR – since you can start leading a more active lifestyle. You can start going for a walk and do other exercises.
Myth 13. Knee Replacement Is Similar to Kidney and Liver Transplant. The Entire Knee Will Be Replaced with a New Knee.
Fact – No. The entire knee is never replaced. Doctors remove only damaged articular surfaces of bones (usually 8-9 mm) and replace them with artificial ones (implant). So, technically it is more of ‘resurfacing’ or ‘repair’ than ‘replacement’.
Myth 14. Costlier Implants are Better!
Fact – Not always true. The standard implants with a track record of more than 10 years are more expensive than some specific newer knees. Besides, results of surgery depend on not only the implant but also the surgeon’s experience and expertise and the technique used. To exemplify, robotic knee replacement often yields much better results than traditional knee surgery even if implants used are the same.
Myth 15. Knees Cannot Be Replaced a Second Time.
Fact – If the artificial implants happen to wear out or some complications arise, TKR can be done again. It is known as a revision joint replacement surgery, and may give good outcomes. However, to avoid such a scenario, you should get your TKR by a reputed knee surgeon, and follow their guidelines to enhance longevity of your knee implants.
Conclusion
As with every good thing, there are multiple myths surrounding total knee replacement surgery. This blog tries to delve into the most common and prevalent myths about TKR. The key lies in being aware. Advancements in technology have brought about treatments for hitherto untreatable health conditions. Knee ailments are one of them. To be sure, you can check online reviews of people who have taken the TKR path to healthy life.
Apart from that, you can consult trusted knee surgeons at Sohana Orthopaedic Centre. They will study your medical history and analyse your problem, and advise the best solution. So, why postpone the treatment that can make you active and mobile once again!
