Most of the grossly disabled patients think about taking knee replacement surgery. Still, they refuse to take it because they are scared by the myths that are heard by their relatives or friends for taking operation, but unfortunately because of no clear-cut information the patients get confused to decide of taking medicine or not.
Myths and Facts of Knee Replacement:
The most common myths that are heard by the patient for taking knee replacement surgery are as follows:
Myth 1: I will not be able to bend my knee correctly after the surgery.
Fact: You can comfortably turn your knee after the surgery. There will be no problem with the movement of the bones, you will not even feel uneasy for moving your legs.
Myth 2: Only adults can undergo knee replacement surgery; it is not for younger children.
Fact: Incorrect! There is no restriction to be an adult for taking surgery. In the event, at a younger age (if required), you can go for knee replacement surgery. Replacement should be made at the beginning if you think to do it, but after some time it is more challenging for the surgeon.
Myth 3: I have to face a lot of side effects for inserting foreign metal in my body.
Fact: The artificial joints contain unique metal that is compatible with our body, and it can stay in shape without causing any adverse effects.
Myth 4: I will need regular physiotherapy after the surgery and recovery are very slow.
Fact: 99% of the patients do not need a physiotherapist. After replacement, the doctors train the patient on how to exercise, and the patient needs to practice at home. 98% of patients start walking just after four weeks of their treatment.
Myth 5: Knee replacement surgery has a high risk of failure.
Fact: The only risk in the whole surgery is infection. The chances of having an infection are around 2%. This risk is the same in any centre.
Myth 6: I can’t drive after knee replacement surgery.
Fact: It is a false myth. Driving becomes very easy because it doesn’t come among those work that exerts pressure in the knee. Most patients start driving within 6-8 weeks after the surgery.
Myth 7: I have diabetes and high blood pressure. So, I cannot undergo knee replacement surgery.
Fact: Diabetes or blood pressure is no longer a bar for knee replacement surgery. The doctor diagnosis the patients before conducting the surgery and are given medicines. They are given pre-anaesthetic medication. If the diagnosis report signals yes, then knee replacement is easily possible.
Myth 8: If I do knee replacement once, I cannot do it the second time.
Fact: This statement is 100% false; knee replacement is possible for the second time too. This step is called Revision Joint Replacement Surgery.
Myth 9: Knee replacement is just like the replacement of the kidney or liver. They will remove my whole knee, and insert a new knee.
Fact: This is not true at all. The doctors don’t replace the knee. It is only worn-out at particular surfaces of the bones. Generally, 8-9 mm is removed and replaced with artificial ones. So, technically it is more like a REPAIR rather than a REPLACEMENT.
Myth 10: Knee replacement surgery lasts for 10 yrs only.
Fact: After coming up with modern-day computer-assisted knee replacement techniques, the time to last for survivorship has increased. Today’s joint replacements last from 20 to 25 years and for many people, it lasts for a lifetime.
Myth 11: I am too old for surgery.
Fact: Age does not matter for an operation. If you are clinically fit, then, elderly patients can easily undergo knee replacement surgery. Some patients underwent knee replacement even at the age of 85 years and are happy with the operation.
Myth 12: Knee replacement is very painful. There is a lot of pain in the post-operative period.
Fact: Modern-day pain management makes you believe that the patient does not feel any pain during surgery. Pre-anaesthesia is given before the surgery to provide a painless operation.
Dr. Indranil Biswas | Consultant – Orthopaedics | Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Barasat