Most patients spend around one to three days in the hospital after this elective procedure.
In select cases, the surgery may require no hospital stay.
Before the Surgery
You will first go to a surgical pre-operative room.
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This IV is used to give you fluids and medications during the surgery.
You will also receive an antibiotic through the IV prior to the procedure.
Next, your surgical team andanesthesiologistwill come to greet you.
They may briefly review the surgery with you and ask you to sign additional consent forms.
Finally, you will be wheeled into the operating room on your hospital bed.
You will transfer to an operating table and be given anesthesia.
A breathing tube connected to aventilatorwill be placed by the anesthesiologist if you are getting general anesthesia.
This can alleviate pain for several hours after surgery.
Additional injections through the catheter may be given if more pain control is needed.
Aphysical therapistwill also come to visit you in your hospital room to teach you various exercises.
Upon being discharged from the hospital, you will be given various post-operative instructions to follow at home.
Success is due, in large part, to therehabilitation that follows.
If you expect a good result from knee replacement surgery, you must be an active rehab participant.
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American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Total Knee Replacement.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Knee Replacement Surgery Procedure.