When Is the Right Time to Have Knee Replacement Surgery?

If you’ve been waking up to an aching, creaky knee more mornings than not, you might be considering knee replacement surgery as a solution for your knee pain. But when is the right time to have knee replacement surgery?

It’s a pretty common question, and it has two answers. The first relates to your joint-related symptoms and whether it’s time to move forward with surgery as a way to find relief — after all, surgery is only one solution to knee pain. An orthopedic surgeon can review your symptoms and determine whether surgery is your best option.

The second answer, though, is about when to have the surgical procedure. Although there’s no “best” time or season to have a knee replacement, there are some factors you’ll want to consider when scheduling.

“While we can advise you about when it’s time to have a knee replacement surgery from a medical standpoint, deciding when to schedule the surgery is a more personal decision,” says Dr. Vandit Sardana, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at Beaufort Memorial. “You’ll want to determine when it will be easiest for you to have the surgery and complete your recovery.”

Read More: Myth Busters: Joint Replacement Edition

The Facts About Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee pain is a common complaint among Americans. For most people, the pain comes and goes, but for some, knee pain lingers and worsens over time.

Wear and tear on the knees can cause osteoarthritis, leading to pain, swelling and other knee symptoms that can significantly disrupt your daily activities. If you’re diagnosed with osteoarthritis or another form of arthritis, your doctor may first recommend oral or injected medications or physical therapy for pain relief.

For some people, these treatments become ineffective, and pain begins to impact their quality of life. At that point, knee replacement surgery may be the most appropriate treatment option.

Orthopedic surgeons at the Beaufort Memorial Joint Replacement Center offer partial knee replacement, in which only the damaged portion of the knee joint is replaced, and total knee replacement, in which the entire knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint. Your surgeon can recommend which will work best for you based on your symptoms and the extent of joint damage.

Read More: What to Expect After Knee Replacement Surgery

3 Things to Consider When Scheduling a Knee Replacement

Once you’ve decided to move forward with surgery, you’ll want to consider a few things as you decide when to have the procedure:

1. When you’ll be able to take time off. Knee replacement surgery generally takes only a few hours. Some patients will be discharged from the hospital on the same day as their surgical procedure. However, recovery generally takes longer, so you’ll want to consider your employer’s policy for sick time and other paid time off. You’ll need time off for the day of surgery, the initial recovery period, and the rehabilitation sessions and follow-up appointments with your surgeon that will occur in the weeks after surgery.

2. The weather. This might seem insignificant when it comes to having a surgical procedure, but it’s worth considering. In the days and weeks after a knee replacement, you will experience periods of discomfort, and you may feel more comfortable wearing loose-fitting clothing, particularly around the surgical scar. Will your attire suit the temperature outside?

You will also likely require a mobility device, such as a cane or walker, in the first weeks after surgery. Any type of assistive device can become unsteady when the ground is slick. Avoiding the months when rain is most prevalent in our area can be a good idea.

3. Anything that would make it challenging to complete the recovery process. Prior to surgery, your orthopedic surgeon and the rest of the joint replacement team will step you through what to expect both during the procedure and in the days and weeks afterward.

The day you have surgery is just step one in your journey to a healthier, stronger knee. To fully recover after a knee replacement, you will need to participate in weeks of intensive rehabilitation designed to alleviate pain and improve your range of motion and balance. You’ll begin with some basic movements before being discharged from the hospital and continue with both outpatient rehab and at-home exercises.

During this time, you’ll also need to attend follow-up visits with your orthopedic surgeon to check on your postsurgical recovery. When deciding on a surgery date, consider any events or potential challenges that could keep you from attending rehab sessions and postsurgical checkups. You’ll want to choose a time on your calendar that’s clear.

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