Orthopedics / Neurology

FAQ's

[ MORE FAQs ]

When should I have a knee or hip replacement?
When the knee or hip pain caused by severe arthritis severely limits your ability to walk or enjoy your everyday activities.

What is the role of the occupational therapist in my plan of care?
Occupational therapist will evaluate your ability to take care of yourself following surgery. They look at ADL’S (activities of daily living). That is your ability to dress yourself, prepare you meals, transferring in and out of the shower or bathtub, etc. The occupational therapist will show you different ways of taking care of yourself while following the precautions set forth by your doctor.

What is the role of the physical therapist in my plan of care?
Physical therapist will teach you the proper exercises and how to perform those exercises to get you one step closer to home. The physical therapist will also emphasize patient education and home exercises which place control of the rehabilitation in the hands of the patient.

How successful is joint replacement?
Both knee and hip replacement are recognized as miracles of modern surgery. Most orthopedic experts consider replacement to be the best method of handling advanced arthritis in the knee or hip. Joint replacements have literally put hundreds of thousands of disabled Americans back on their feet and allowed them to enjoy their golden years.

What about pain after surgery?
Thanks to advances of medication technology, we are able to keep you very comfortable after surgery. Patients report that the temporary discomfort felt does not compare to the pain of the arthritis they had prior to surgery.

Are there complications?
As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications. Through the years of experience, we have learned how to achieve a high success rate and minimize such risks. We try to prevent infection using broad-spectrum antibiotics. Several measures are used in prevention of blood clots.

Will I need blood?
We usually ask that you donate two units of your own blood about a week prior to surgery. Using your own blood eliminates exposure to hepatitis and AIDS. Your stored blood will be given back to you after surgery if your physician feels it is necessary.

How long is recuperation?
Recovery varies with each person. You will probably use a walker for 4-6 weeks after the operation. You can drive a car 2-4 weeks. Most people gradually increase their activities and can slow dance in 6-8 weeks and play golf, double tennis, shuffleboard or bowl in 12 weeks or less. More active sports, such as singles tennis and jogging are not recommended. This varies by physician. Be sure and follow your physicians protocol.

How long is the hospital stay?
The average hospital stay is 3-5 days. If you require additional therapy, you may be transferred to our recuperative care unit or BHRI (Baptist Health Rehab Institute).

What is knee and hip replacement?
It is a metal and plastic covering for raw, arthritic bone ends. It replaces cartilage that has worn away over the years. Replacement can eliminate pain and allow you to move easily and without pain.

Is there an alternative to replacement?
Knee or Hip replacement is only recommended after careful diagnosis of your joint problem. Arthroscopic or microscopic surgery is not helpful once arthritis is advanced.

What is the difference between the Uni-knee and the standard procedure for a total knee replacement?
The Uni-knee requires a 2-3 inch incision and removes only the diseased portion of the knee. Rehabilitation time is estimated at five weeks. The majority of patients undergoing this procedure are age 55 and older. There are approximately 5,000 Uni-knee replacements performed annually in the United States.

How do I know if I am a candidate for the Uni-knee replacement?
A number of factors can determine whether a patient is qualified to undergo a Uni-knee replacement and how successful the procedure will be for the individual. An ideal candidate is someone who has osteoarthritis of the knee that is isolated to only one condyle (or compartment) of the knee. Candidates may also include peopler who are not responding to other form of treatment such as medications, arthroscopy or cartilage transfers. (The Uni-knee is not performed on individuals with rheumatoid arthritis).

What are the benefits of the Uni-Knee replacement?
Clinical results suggest that patients who undergo the procedure may experience a shorter hospital stay, minimal blood loss, quicker rehabilitation and a smaller incision scar. Patients may also experience an increased range of motion after recovery. A successful Uni-knee replacement may delay, and in some cases, prevent a more extensive knee replacement surgery.