Three Questions to Ask Before Your Knee Surgery

The time leading up to knee surgery is an uncertain time for many people who need to undergo a knee procedure. This being the case, it is important to have as much information as possible prior to your operation. There a number of important questions to ask your doctor before your surgery takes place, and knowing the answers to these questions will help you to know what to expect from your procedure.

What Will the Surgery Involve?

There are a variety of types of knee surgery that a patient can require. These range from the very extensive, such as a complete reconstruction, to the relatively minor, such as arthroscopic surgery. It is important to talk openly with your surgeon during your consultation in order to get a feel for precisely how extensive your procedure will be. Having an understanding of the invasiveness of your procedure will help you to prepare yourself for the recovery period after the surgery.

Recovery

Another important piece of information that you'll want to ask your surgeon is this: "What can I expect during the recovery period?" Every knee surgery is different, so, every recovery is different as well. This being the case, you'll want to find out how long the recovery is expected to take as well as how much pain you can expect to experience. Surgical methods have become quite advanced, and the pain that is associated with them has been greatly reduced as a result. Never the less, it is important to know what to expect prior to undergoing the procedure.

Rehabilitation

Finally, it is important to ask your doctor to explain the rehabilitation process to you. Since knee surgery affects such an important joint, rehabilitation and therapy are often necessary in order to ensure that you regain the range of motion and the strength that you had prior to your injury and subsequent surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy regimens vary greatly. Some must be done daily and can be very strenuous while others are intended to be done much less often and are less strenuous. Be sure to ask your doctor to explain your rehabilitation regimen to you before your procedure. Doing so will allow you to prepare for the weeks after your surgery.

It can be difficult to prepare for knee surgery. However, knowing what questions to ask your surgeon in the days leading up to your procedure can help you to get past some of this uncertainty. Understanding the procedure that you'll be having as well as the expected recovery and rehabilitation schedules will help to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that accompanies surgery.