Panama Medical Vacations
Pain Free in Panama with Knee Replacement Surgery
Joint replacement surgery is removing a damaged joint and putting in a new one. A joint is where two or more bones come together, like the knee, ankle, or shoulder. The surgery is usually done by a doctor called an orthopedic surgeon. Sometimes, the surgeon will not remove the whole joint, but will only replace or fix the damaged parts.
The doctor may suggest a knee replacement surgery to improve your quality of life. Replacing a joint can help you relieve pain and move and feel better. Coming to Panama for a knee replacement surgery can give you the freedom to get up and move around again.
The Procedure
In theory, the procedure for a knee replacement surgery is quite simple. Your surgeon will make an incision is made over the knee to expose the underlying bones. The surgeon will remove either a part or the entire knee joint to make room for the replacement. The surgeon then positions the artificial knee and secures it with a strong adhesive.
After the surgeon has positioned the joint, the wound is closed and the patient is sent to recovery. This procedure is performed under general anesthetic and can last 2 or 3 hours.
After your surgery
With knee replacement surgeries, you may be able to go home in 3–5 days. How long you stay in the hospital will be determined by you and your team of doctors as they monitor your progress.
After knee replacement surgery, you will often stand and begin walking with crutches the day of surgery. You may have pain around the new joint because of your surgery and because your muscles are likely weak from not being used. Remember that your body is healing; the pain can be helped with medicines and shouldn’t last for more than a few weeks.
Physical therapy will probably begin the day after your surgery. This will begin to help you strengthen the muscles around the new joint and help you regain your range of motion. A physical therapist will help you with gentle, exercises specifically designed for your condition. Before you leave the hospital, your therapist will show you exercises you can continue. The level of success that you achieve from your knee replacement surgery will mostly depend on your dedication to improving your strength and flexibility.
Risks
Knee replacement surgery has a success rate of over 90 percent. When problems do occur, most are treatable. Possible risks include infection, blood clots, loosening of the joint, dislocation, wear and nerve or blood vessel injury.