- F.A.Q: The Knee (Unicompartmental Knee Resurfacing)
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- 1. What is the difference between total knee replacement and unicompartmental knee resurfacing?
- 2. How long is the hospital stay?
- 3. What type of anaesthetic will I have?
- 4. How long is the operation?
- 5. Will I need help at home?
- 6. What about stairs?
- 7. When can I walk?
- 8. How long must I use the crutches?
- 9. How long must I wear the knee brace?
- 10. How long will my knee be swollen?
- 11. Can I get my knee wet?
- 12. How long is the incision?
- 13. Do I need Physiotherapy?
- 14. When can I drive?
- 15. When are the skin clips removed?
- 16. How much walking should I do?
- 17. Can I participate in high impact activity?
- 18. What is the implant made up of?
- 19. What is the life span of the implant?
- 20. Can I find out more about this procedure?
- 1. What is the difference between total knee replacement and unicompartmental knee resurfacing? - Top
- Knee replacement is removing the edges of the joint that have been diseased by degeneration or trauma.
Knee resurfacing is like a retread. The only part of the joint that is resurfaced is the side of the joint that is diseased. - Updated: June 4, 2001
- 2. How long is the hospital stay? - Top
- Unicompartmental knee resurfacing is considered day only surgery. If you live more than two hours away by car you can stay overnight. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 3. What type of anaesthetic will I have? - Top
- The anaesthetic is a light general anaesthetic. You will be asleep for approximately 2hours. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 4. How long is the operation? - Top
- The operation is approximately 2hrs and 1hr in recovery. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 5. Will I need help at home? - Top
- The advantage to unicompartmental knee resurfacing is the fact that you can return to your normal daily activities soon after surgery. You may need someone to stay with you the first couple of nights but you should feel independent by the third day. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 6. What about stairs? - Top
- You will not be discharged from hospital until you can manage the stairs. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 7. When can I walk? - Top
- Walking begins a couple of hours after your surgery. The physiotherapist will aid you. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 8. How long must I use the crutches? - Top
- The crutches can be discarded when you feel strong enough or after one week. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 9. How long must I wear the knee brace? - Top
- The knee brace must stay in place for 48hrs. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 10. How long will my knee be swollen? - Top
- The initial swelling appears in the first week after surgery. Some patients experience the some form of swelling up to 12 months following their operation. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 11. Can I get my knee wet? - Top
- You must try to keep your incision dry until the skin clips are removed. If you get the incision wet you will increase the chances of you getting an infection. Also, it is not wise to swim for 2 weeks following surgery, for skin needs time to heal. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 12. How long is the incision? - Top
- 7-10 cm over the front of your knee. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 13. Do I need Physiotherapy? - Top
- The physiotherapists will attend at the hospital, as a general rule but you will not require any physiotherapy after your surgery. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 14. When can I drive? - Top
- Approximately one week following surgery. Please check with Dr Kohan before you drive your car. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 15. When are the skin clips removed? - Top
- 10-14 days after surgery. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 16. How much walking should I do? - Top
- Walking or weight bearing is very important in your recovery phase. You should walk around as much as you can during the day. Motion is Lotion for your knee - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 17. Can I participate in high impact activity? - Top
- Running and jumping is not recommended for unicompartmental knee resurfacing. The implant can crack or wear out before their time. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 18. What is the implant made up of? - Top
- The metal component is steel and the plastic is a high-density polyethylene. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 19. What is the life span of the implant? - Top
- Approximately 8-10 years depending on use. - Updated: April 23, 2001
- 20. Can I find out more about this procedure? - Top
- There are many web sites and information packages. Please contact us if you have any more questions. 02 9387 2877 - Updated: April 23, 2001
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