Knee Surgery

Most knee problems are caused by injury and/or aging that weakens the joint. Your doctor will likely perform a physical examination and order several diagnostic tests such as X-rays or MRIs to see whether the knee is stable and mobile. These tests will help your doctor determine whether to recommend knee surgery.

You may need knee surgery if you:

• Have a chronic case of osteoarthritis
• Experience severe knee pain while performing daily activities
• Have inflammation and swelling in the knee joints

What to expect during your procedure

A knee replacement can take a few hours to complete. Your surgical team will administer a general anesthetic to keep you numb and unconscious. They’ll also start you on an IV and monitor your vital signs before initiating the procedure.

The surgeon will identify and remove the damaged part of the knee joint. They will then take a prosthesis made of plastic or metal and latch it onto the knee joint with surgical cement.

After the prosthesis has been secured in place, the surgeon will close the incision with stitches and cover the incision with sterile gauze and bandages.

How to prepare for your orthopedic knee procedure

• You might be asked to fast for a few hours before the procedure.
• You will need to discuss the procedure at length with your doctor.
• Brief your doctor about any medical conditions and allergies that you have.
• Notify your doctor about the medications that you are prescribed currently.
• Notify your doctor whether you are pregnant or suspect that you might be pregnant before the procedure.
• Your doctor may schedule a few diagnostic tests and blood tests to ensure that you are fit to have this surgery.
• You might be asked to stop taking any blood thinners at least a week before the procedure.

Follow-up care for patients

Right after the surgery, you will be transported to a recovery room and kept under observation. Our healthcare staff will monitor your vital signs and put you on medication to alleviate pain.

Once you are awake, you will meet a physiotherapist and discuss an exercise plan to work on your muscle strength and restore knee mobility.

Your doctor may recommend pain relievers and simple remedies such as putting ice on the knee joint to reduce swelling. They will also recommend that you use a device such as a walker as you become more mobile. You may be asked to refrain from taking part in strenuous activities until you have fully recovered.

You can bathe and keep the surgical area clean by following the recovery plan instructions provided by your doctor.

Why choose TOPs for your knee surgery

If you are looking for an advanced facility for your knee surgery, ask your doctor whether they practice at TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital. If you need a specialist physician, you can find one who is right for you on this site.

At TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital, we have provided thousands of patients in Houston with inpatient and outpatient facilities that can help doctors perform at a high level. Our qualified physicians use our advanced technology for medical diagnoses and to develop effective treatment plans for patients throughout the Houston area.