How Long Does it Take to Return to Work after Knee Replacement Surgery?

Good knees have been proved to be an essential part of an active and healthy lifestyle and it no more remains a secret. But, when arthritis occurs, especially osteoarthritis, your ability to flex your knees and to bend can become restricted due to pain, damage and inflammation. As time passes, the damage progress and life seem to be difficult and painful.

Knee replacement surgery is a surgical method to replace a knee joint to relieve from disability and pain. It is also called as knee arthroplasty. It is mainly performed for osteoarthritis, and also for other knee problems like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Patients having a severe deformity in their knee joints from advanced rheumatoid arthritis, long-standing osteoarthritis or trauma, the surgery seems to be more complicated and carry higher risk.

This surgery can be done as a partial or a total knee replacement procedure. Usually, in this surgery, the damaged joint surface of the knee is replaced with plastic and metal shaped components to allow continual motion of the knee.

Knee Replacement Surgery Success Rates

According to American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, their study reveals that 90 percent of the patients who have undergone knee replacement surgery have experienced less pain. Most of them are able to perform their day to day routine activities with ease and stay active all day long. Often, it was seen that the patients could resume their activities like walking and playing golf which they had given up years ago when they had arthritic pain.

Well, the knee replacements actually lasts over a decade. Currently, knee replacement surgical method is being used more for younger people having osteoarthritis (OA) and other degenerative conditions of the knee. It is observed that even after 20 years 85 percent of artificial knees still work. The reason that this procedure is so popular is because of its endurance.

People between the age ranges of 50 to 80 have undergone knee replacement surgery. And the average age comes about to be 70. Among these, 60 percent are women. The procedure is highly successful and is considered relatively effective and safe.

Time Required to Return to Work after Knee Replacement Surgery

Many patients who have undergone knee replacement surgery are curious to know about when they can resume their normal activities and can return to work. A desire for a speedy recovery is common among patients; less appreciated and understood is the value of recovery time itself. Provided, a patient’s fast recovery is uncomplicated, people can get back to their office within six weeks.

Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery

A least of 3 to 6 months is required for recovery from knee replacement surgery. But for a full knee replacement surgery recovery, it takes around 8 to 10 months. The degree of movement of rehabilitation depends on your body weight, your ability to manage pain and the strength of your body before surgery. Other variables include factors like age of the patient and the type of surgery performed.

The ability to return back to your work completely depends on your job requirements. People dealing with physical kind of jobs are often out of work for 3 to 6 months. Patients who hold administrative positions and desk jobs return to work within 6 weeks. Going back to work too soon makes it difficult for long-term recovery. Your pain needs to be managed so that you can get around independently. Under these criteria, within a month or two most patients are able to return to their work.

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Arthritis: the major cause of joint replacement surgery

Running, climbing, bending down to pick up something or typing on the computer is all movable because the cause of joints. All our bones are linked by joints. Knees and elbows connect the big parts whereas toes and fingers are connecting of the small parts. Your healthy joints can be damaged or infected if symptoms of arthritis strike. All this can affect the mobility of an individual completely.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. Arthritis can affect one or multiple joints at a time. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with different causes and treatment methods. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common type of arthritis. Symptoms of arthritis usually develop over time but in many cases, it can also appear suddenly. Arthritis commonly occurs in adults over the age of 65, but it can also develop in children, teens, and younger adults.

Causes of arthritis

A cartilage is a firm and flexible connective tissue in the joints which protects the joints by absorbing the pressure. Reduction in the normal amount of cartilage tissues in the body cause some forms of arthritis. Normal wear and tear can also cause osteoarthritis. Infection and injury in the joints exacerbate this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the body which affect the synovium which is a soft tissue in the joints that produce fluids which nourish the cartilage and lubricates the joints.

Types of joints

Joints connect bones which enables the body to move freely and protect certain areas from moving about too much. If these bones were fused together it would enable a person’s mobility completely. Our body has many types of joints such as:-

·         Ball-and-socket joints.

·         Hinge joints.

·         Pivot joints.

·         Ellipsoidal joints.

Joint movement

Joints can also be categorized according to how they move. Following are some of the joint movements:-

·         Freely movable joints.

·         Partially movable joints.

·         Immovable joints.

Effect of arthritis on joints

Arthritis affected Joints

Arthritis causes inflammation in the joints. Cartilage is a type of body tissue which allows the joints to move and function freely. In case if the cartilage breaks down or gets inflame the joint do not function properly and causes pain. Osteoarthritis can cause the symptoms such as:-

·         Extreme pain.

·         Limited motion of the joints.

·         Loss of motion in the joints.

·         Swelling.

·         Redness.

·         Heat in the joints.

·         Damage to the joints.

When an individual is affected by arthritis it can cause stiffness, pain in the joints and affect their mobility. Treatment is necessary to restore the mobility of the joints. Arthritis medication can help manage the inflammation causing the joint problems while surgery is needed to replace or repair badly damaged joints.

Surgery for joint replacement

The entire procedure is performed under general anesthesia. This may take around few hours. During the surgery, the orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone from the joint. The removed joint is replaced with prosthetic components which are made of metal, plastic, or ceramic material. The prosthesis impersonates the movement, shape and function of a natural joint. For example, while performing a hip dislocation surgery the upper end of the femur is replaced with a metal ball which is then attached to a metal stem. This material used in the surgery is fitted into the femur. The plastic socket is then implanted into the pelvis, replacing the damaged socket.

Joint replacement surgery in India

India is a growing destination for medical tourism. Orthopedic surgeries are very expensive as it is one of the most complicated surgeries. Undergoing orthopedic surgeries in western countries can be very expensive but these surgeries are available in India at quite affordable prices. A large number of orthopedic surgeons are available in India. These surgeons are highly skilled and experienced in their field which gives orthopedic surgeries a success rate of 90%-95%. Many patients from abroad come to India for orthopedic surgeries and avail the facilities at moderate prices.

Why choose IndianMedTrip?

IndianMedTrip is a fastest growing medical tourism company in India that helps in finding the best orthopedic surgeons for their patients in India. IndianMedTrip is a one-stop shop for people who are looking forward to combining their medical treatment with tourism in India. Consultants at IndianMedTrip offer best deals for orthopedic surgeries from the top healthcare facilities in India. Accommodation, visa assistance, logistics, food, pre/ post-operative care, physical therapy and visits to exotic location are all part of the packages provided by IndianMedTrip medical tourism company.

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