If you or a loved one are considering knee replacement, do your homework. Knowing the right questions to ask prior to surgery can help educate you and your loved ones on making important decisions about your healthcare. After all, educated patients have better outcomes.
Ask your orthopedic surgeon these 5 simple questions when considering knee replacement:
What could happen if I put off surgery? Every individual's knee condition is different. It could be fine for one individual to postpone surgery without consequences. Individuals with a more serious condition, may create more joint damage and result in a more complex surgery with delayed treatment. It’s always a challenge to determine the right time for knee surgery. Discuss your mobility and pain levels, and their effect on your quality of life, to better understand when the time is right for you.
Am I a candidate for outpatient total knee replacement?
Outpatient knee replacement is a great option for healthy patients, offering benefits in recovery and lower complications. You could be a candidate for this procedure, allowing you to recover in the comfort of home, with cost saving benefits.
Do you offer robotic technology in knee replacement?
New artificial intelligence and robotic advancements in orthopedic surgery are making knee surgery less invasive and resulting in better results. This technology helps reduce human error and improve patient outcomes.
What type of anesthesia do you offer?
Discussing your options for anesthesia is recommended before your procedure. The selection of anesthesia can impact your recovery. Find out what options are available for your condition, and learn about the recent advances in anesthesia.
What are the benefits of total knee replacement?
Minimally invasive techniques, outpatient knee replacement, and robotic technology have revolutionized orthopedic surgery with undeniable patient benefits. For most people, knee replacement provides pain relief, improved mobility, and a better quality of life. Improved mobility can prevent obesity, improve cardiovascular disease, and health conditions caused by the inability to walk or move.
Knee replacement offers many a better quality of life, with the ability to be active and mobile into your golden years. Understanding your choices in orthopedic care and recent medical advances can improve patient outcomes and make your journey through knee replacement a better experience.
AUTHOR: Dr. Andrew Ehmke is a board-certified and fellowship-trained joint replacement surgeon specializing in robotic-assisted and minimally invasive hip and knee replacement in Chicagoland.
