New Knees For Old: A Guide To Knee Replacment Surgery For Older Adults And Their Caregivers

If your older relative complains about difficulty walking, climbing stairs, keeping up with house and gardening chores or needs help with other everyday activities because of disabling chronic knee pain...

...he or she might be a good candidate for a knee replacement. Knee replacements are one of the most common surgical procedures that older adults undergo. Each year more than 300,000 people over 65 undergo surgery to replace knee joints that have become stiff and painful after decades of walking, kneeling and running. Chronic knee pain can be improved substantially thanks to improved custom-made synthetic knee joints, advance arthroscopic techniques, and rehabilitation programs to ease knee pain, eliminate stiffness and discomfort, and make it easier for an older adult to walk again with little or no pain.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

• Arthritis is major cause of knee pain especially in older people.
• Cartilage tears: common cause of knee pain in people of all ages examples
• Bursitis: gardeners, others who do lots of kneeling

Painful knee joints can also increase the risk of falls. If your older relative's knee pain has increased enough that it's hard for her to walk or climb stairs without significant pain even if she walks slowly – it's time to schedule an appointment with the doctor for a thorough physical exam with a close look at her knees.

Diagnosing Knee Pain

Start by scheduling an appointment with your parent's primary care doctor for a complete physical exam. During the exam the doctor will evaluate the condition of her knees with a variety of lab tests, x-rays and bone scans, and an arthroscopy to determine how well her knees function. She may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon to see if knee replacement is right for her. An arthroscopy is an important part of your parent's treatment. It allows the doctor to examine inside of your parent's knee joint using a tiny camera that allows him view the knee in detail, remove damaged tissue, and decide if a knee replacement should be performed.

Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement is a major surgical procedure. Be sure that you and your parent fully understand the benefits and potential risks from the procedure. Both of you should ask the surgeon any questions you have and make sure you understand the answers you receive.

Before the procedure your parent will be given local and regional anesthetics to numb the knee and the area below the waist. A general anesthetic will put your relative to sleep during the exam. It takes about two hours to put in the artificial joint. After the surgery she will be given pain medications, move his foot and ankle, and other treatments to prevent blood clots.

Healing at Home: How Families Can Help

“There's no place like home!” Your older patient will be so happy to be back in her own bed after a hospital stay. Before she leaves make a list of questions about caring for her at home and who to contact if you have more questions or an emergency occurs.

• Before your parent is discharged from the hospital he must be able to get in and out of bed without help, bend and extend his new knee, walk with crutches or a walker, and is willing to do the exercises prescribed by his doctor or a physical therapist at home. The therapist will show your relative – and you – how to do the exercises correctly.
• Your parent was given a variety of pain relievers and other medications in the hospital that may cause hallucinations and similar side effects. He or she may also develop constipation, nausea or depression that may slow down her recovery. Contact the surgeon if these symptoms continue more than three days.
• Offer your parent lots of fluids to prevent dehydration throughout the day. Water, juices or ginger ale are good choices. You may have to help him to the bathroom or obtain a bedside commode or “potty chair” for adults. He or she will not be allowed to take a shower for 7-10 days after surgery.

• Ask hospital staff what foods and fluids your parent can eat or drink if your parent has diabetes.
• Ice packs can help relieve pain. Purchase one or two gel-paks that can be stored in the freezer.

Caregiver Support

This procedure and hospital stay can be a learning experience for both of you. Before your older relative's knee replacement learn as much as you can about the procedure. Get to know his or her professional caregivers in the hospital and don't hesitate to ask them questions about caregiving procedures, tips for care at home or how they became interested in this particular aspect of elder care.