Partial Knee Replacement
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Solution for Active Life
Partial knee replacement can be an excellent option for carefully selected patients with arthritis limited to one part of the knee. Because it preserves more of your natural knee, many patients experience a more natural-feeling knee and may return to activities sooner, with less postoperative pain and a faster recovery.
However, not everyone is a candidate for partial knee replacement. The condition of the other compartments of the knee, ligament stability, alignment, activity level, and overall knee function all play an important role. Some patients may have a higher risk of failure with partial replacement based on available clinical data, making total knee replacement a better option.
In appropriately selected patients, partial knee replacement can provide a natural-feeling knee and allow continued participation in activities such as walking on uneven ground, hiking, and climbing, within reasonable limits. Ultimately, the decision is made together through careful evaluation and shared decision-making, balancing the potential benefits and risks to determine whether partial or total knee replacement is right for you.
Welcome to Your Knee Replacement Journey
Thank you for choosing Dr. Ajay Srivastava and OrthoMichigan for your Partial Knee Replacement care. We appreciate your trust in our team and look forward to guiding you through every step of your surgical journey.
Our goal is to help you achieve a safe recovery and a better quality of life. A successful joint replacement is a partnership between you and your healthcare team, and your active participation is an important part of achieving the best possible outcome.
The instructions below will guide you through your preparation, surgery, and recovery. Please read these instructions carefully and follow them closely. Being well prepared and knowing what to expect can help you recover more quickly and safely.
Our entire OrthoMichigan team is here to support you throughout your recovery.
A Checklist to Help You Prepare For Your Surgery:
- Medical Clearance
- If you are currently under the care of a specialist, we will request clearance before your surgery.
- You may need to contact their office to schedule your appointment.
- PreHab and Physical Therapy
- If you have not already scheduled your PreHab and post-operative therapy, call OrthoMichigan Therapy Services at (810) 285-8523’
- Hospital Pre admission testing
- You will receive a call from the hospital to schedule pre-admission testing. This testing is to assess your
- overall health and determine your anesthesia needs.
- Transportation and post-operative arrangements
- You will need to make arrangements for transportation to and from the hospital on the day of surgery.
- Remember that your mobility will be limited, so organize your home to make it easy to move around and walkways as wide and uncluttered as possible.
- If you have diabetes, make sure your blood sugar is well controlled
- If you smoke, quit smoking. One month of cessation of smoking is extremely helpful in reducing the risk of complications.
- Eat a diet high in iron and protein
Washing Instructions to Prevent the Infections:
Using Mupirocin and Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) before surgery reduces the number of bacteria on your skin or in your nose which decreases the risk of an infection after surgery.
Mupirocin 2% ointment:
This is an antibacterial ointment. Pick up your Mupirocin prescription from the pharmacy five or more days before your surgery and follow the instructions below, TWICE each day:
1. Blow your nose and clean the inside of your nostrils with a tissue.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
3. Open the tube of Mupirocin. Squeeze enough ointment from the tube to coat a cotton swab (about ½ ounce).
4. Put the swab into one nostril and gently move it around the lower part of the nostril in a circular motion. Be sure to touch all surfaces inside the nostril. Do the same thing on your other nostril using a clean swab.
5. Gently press the sides of the nose together and massage for 1 full minute so that the ointment is spread throughout the inside of the nostril. Take care not to get the ointment in your eyes.
6. When finished, wash your hands again. Do not blow your nose or put any other products in your nose.
7. Please do this twice daily (morning and evening) for 5 days in a row. The final use will be the night before your surgery. Some insurance companies do not cover the Mupirocin prescription. Coupons may be found at https://www.goodrx.com/mupirocin.
Bathing Using Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG):
Buy over the counter CHG solution (Hibiclens) from ANY Pharmacy near you. Use it for five days before your surgery and follow the instructions below, each day:
1. With each shower, wash your hair as usual with your normal shampoo. Rinse your hair and body thoroughly afterward to remove the residue. Do not shave the area of your body where your surgery will be performed.
2. Turn the water off before applying the CHG soap to prevent rinsing it off too soon.
3. Apply CHG to your entire body from the jaw down. Do not get CHG soap in your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or genital area.
4. Apply thoroughly for FIVE minutes (use a timer), paying special attention to the area where your surgery will be performed. Do not scrub your skin too hard. Do not wash with your regular soap after using CHG. Turn the water back on and rinse your body well.
5. Pat yourself dry with a clean, soft towel after each shower. Then put on clean clothes or pajamas and sleep on freshly laundered bed linens. Do not apply any lotions, roll on deodorants, perfumes, or powders after using CHG the day of surgery. If allergic to Chlorhexidine, use antibacterial soap (such as Dial) for your shower.
6. Please do this once daily (during your normal shower) for 5 days in a row. The final use will be the night before your surgery.