Top Myths for Knee Replacement Surgery

Today there are millions of people all over the world who have to undergo surgery for their knee replacement. In the United States alone, there are more than six hundred thousand of people who go through this particular surgery. But despite the increasing popularity of the knee replacement surgery, there are many people who have certain misconceptions related to this procedure and recovery. Check out some of the top myths related to knee replacement surgeries.

Myth 1: Only people above 50 years of age can undergo knee replacement surgeries

This is one of the most widely accepted misconceptions. But, in reality, the eligibility for undergoing this surgery is not dependent on how old the affected person is. It is more to do with factors like type of lifestyle adopted by the person, issues related to mobility and the degree of pain being experienced by the patient. It is true that knee related surgery is a treatment option or osteoarthritis that is an age-related ailment. But there are many other conditions like Rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis, genetic conditions, earlier surgery or post-traumatic surgery that may need the affected people to undergo a knee replacement surgeries irrespective of their ages. All the above mentioned conditions can deteriorate the condition of knees at any age. In fact, many young people who had been ailing from chronic degeneration of knees are known to recover after they underwent a knee replacement surgery.

Myth 2: A person needs to stay at hospital for a long time after undergoing the surgery

Today, the technology used in a knee replacement surgery has got tremendously advanced. For instance, there are minimal incision techniques for knee replacement that have reduced the recovery time in the hospital to a great extent. In fact, how much time a patient has to spend in a hospital after the surgery depends on the degree of pain being experienced by him or her. Today, many of the patients are known to return home as early as within one to three days after the surgery is performed.

Myth 3: After the surgery, the patient will be unable to bend his or her knee

This is a misconception too since it is possible to bend the affected knees entirely post the knee replacement surgery. A majority of the latest implants enable usual mobility of the patient’s knee joint post surgery.

Myth 4: Knee replacement surgery inserts a foreign object inside the body and so it will be rejected.

In reality the artificial joints that are inserted through the surgery are made of metal, specially designed, so that is compatible with a human body. Moreover, they can remain inside a body permanently and are not known to cause any type of side effects.

Myth 5: Knee replacement surgery is a high risk operation and the success rate is very low

The truth is that the only risk in this entire surgical process like most of the other surgeries is the threat of the patient getting infected. In fact, even such a risk is as low as around two percent.

DISCLAIMER: Phoenix Family Medical Clinic does not provide knee surgeries and cannot give advice regarding surgery. We can, however, refer you out to a orthopedist for a more thorough examination and assessment. Our providers will listen to your concerns and point you in the right medical direction for your needs. Book an appointment today!

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