Knee Replacements

Knee replacement surgery, as the name suggests, entails replacing a damaged or diseased knee joint with an artificial knee joint. Following the procedure, you’ll be grateful for a LimbO!

Over 70,000 knee replacements are performed in England and Wales per year, and this number is continuing to increase.

There are two main types of knee replacement: total knee replacement, which is where both sides of the knee joint are replaced, and partial (half) knee replacement, which is where just one side of the knee joint is replaced. The majority of people who have total knee replacements are over 65. Most knee replacements last over 20 years and this is more likely if the artificial knee is looked after and not put under a lot of strain.

Most knee replacements are a solution for osteoarthritis patients. Alongside this condition, other reasons for undergoing the surgery include rheumatoid arthritis, haemophilia, gout and knee injury. Due to the surgery being major, you will only be considered for a knee replacement if you have not responded well to other treatments, such as physiotherapy or steroid injections.

Usually, knee replacements are very successful. However, there are possible complications, such as infection of the wound, deep infection of the joint (requiring further surgery), blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If a person was to suffer from one or more of these complications, it is likely that they would have to wear a bandage again or for a longer period of time, whether this is due to the complication on its own or further surgery to treat the complication.

After the operation, you will have a large dressing put on your knee. This dressing will continue being replaced until your wound has healed over. It is likely that you will experience some discomfort and possibly leg and foot swelling following the operation, so you will be suffering enough without the added hassle of keeping your dressing dry in the bath or shower. Rather than suffer, why not try a LimbO? A full leg LimbO will allow you to fully submerge your healing knee in the water as you deserve to take a relaxing hot bubble bath or shower instead of struggling with strip washing and worrying about your dressing getting wet.

It is very important to look after your new knee joint after surgery. To help control pain and swelling, you should continue to take prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also recommended to use your walking aids (but slowly reduce how much you use them as you recover), keep up the exercises to help prevent stiffness, wear supportive shoes and raise your leg when sat down. Please avoid sitting with your legs crossed for the six weeks after surgery and twisting at your operated knee, don’t place a pillow underneath our knee during the night as this may lead to a permanently bent knee and do not kneel down until your surgeon says it is safe to do so. If you follow these guidelines, you are more likely to have a faster and more comfortable recovery.

If you or someone you know will be having knee replacement surgery and you like the sound of a LimbO, they are available to purchase on this website. If you’d find ordering a LimbO on the phone easier, feel free to call us on 01243 573417. We’re happy to answer your questions at info@limboproducts.co.uk if you would like more information.

Bibliography
Knee replacement, NHS: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Knee-replacement/Pages/Kneereplacementexplained.aspx

Knee replacement – Recovery, NHS: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Knee-replacement/Pages/Recovery.aspx