Physiatry - Joint Knee Replacement - IRAN Health Tourism Organizer - Iran Medical Tourism

Joint Knee Replacement in Iran (Knee Replacement Surgery in Iran)

Joint Knee Replacement Surgery is an orthopedic procedure which is also called Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). This surgery involves replacing the existing knee joint with a manmade one in order to end pain, stiffness, and loss of function. [Approximate costs for Joint knee replacement surgery in Iran is 3000$]

Patient Care

What is Joint Knee Replacement?

Joint Knee Replacement Risks

Joint Knee Replacement Preparing and Consultation

Joint Knee Replacement After care

What is Knee Replacement?

Knee replacement Surgery is a very effective surgical method that reduces your extremely unbearable knee pain and discomfort dramatically. This procedure is especially used for treating patients suffering from osteoarthritis. In this surgical method, your damaged knee joints will be removed and accurately replaced with mechanical implants for the ultimate results.

Doctors usually only recommend knee replacement after other, less invasive treatments have failed. First-line treatment options include:

weight loss
medications
physical therapy
assistive devices, such as a cane or a knee brace

We understand that you are looking for good facility with modern equipment, experienced doctors and affordable cost of treatment to have Joint Replacement surgery in Iran. For you, we have listed best Joint Replacement surgery hospitals which are accredited by IPD in IRHTO (Iran health tourism institute)

Aging and Knee replacement

Knee surgery is a typical treatment for people over the age of 55. Younger people who have their knees replaced may outlive their artificial knees and may need a revision.

Specific Goals of Joint Knee Replacement

The goal of knee replacement is to relieve pain, improve quality of life, and maintain or improve knee function.

Why Would I Need Knee Surgery?

Osteoarthritis is the main reason why people go for knee replacement surgery. The age-related condition is very common and occurs when cartilage “the cushion between the knee and the bone joints” breaks down.

Other reasons include:

Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the lining of the knee.
Deformities: People with bowed legs or “knock-knees” often get surgery to restore the position of the knee.
Knee injuries: A broken bone or torn ligaments around the knee sometimes will result in arthritis that causes great pain and limits your movement.
Loss of blood flow: Doctors will recommend surgery if blood stops flowing to the bones (a condition called either osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis).

Joint Knee Replacement Surgery Types

Total knee replacement

This is the most common form. Your surgeon replaces the surfaces of the thigh bone and shin bone that connects to the knee.

Partial knee replacement

If arthritis affects only one side of your knee, this surgery may be a possibility. However, it’s only right for you if you have strong knee ligaments. Partial knee replacement can be performed through a smaller cut than is needed for total knee replacement.

Kneecap replacement

This replaces only the under-surface of the kneecap, but some surgeons advise against this procedure, because total knee replacement surgery has a higher rate of success.

Complex (or revision) knee replacement

This procedure may be needed if you have very severe arthritis or if you’ve already had two or three knee replacement surgeries.

Joint Knee Replacement Risks Include

blood clots in the legs that can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
urinary tract infection
nausea and vomiting (usually related to pain medication)
chronic knee pain and stiffness
bleeding into the knee joint
nerve damage
blood vessel injury
infection of the knee which can require re-operation

Joint Knee Replacement Surgery Preparing and Consultation

Consultation

Total knee replacement has proven to be extremely successful and beneficial and a significant contribution to modern surgery. As with all major surgeries, there are risks that the patient must be willing to accept in order to obtain the benefits of pain relief and functional independence provided by a total knee replacement. Immediately following surgery, the patient will have pain from the operation and will have to diligently perform a number of exercises in order to rehabilitate the knee.

Recovery takes about 3 months and then most patients enjoy many years of painless knee function with no limits on their ability to stand, walk and perform other activities of normal daily living. We hope that your surgery is a success and that your hospital stay is as pleasant as possible.

Other Preparations

Your doctor may talk to you about blood banking. Banking blood means having your own blood drawn and saved prior to the surgery, so that it’s available to use if a transfusion is needed during the operation. About 20 percent of people having a TKR need a transfusion. You’ll receive screened blood from a blood bank that matches your blood type if you can’t or choose not to bank your own blood before surgery and you end up needing a transfusion during surgery.

Your doctor or physical therapist may also ask you to participate in a muscle-strengthening program before the surgery. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons finds that people who have a TKR who start physical therapy and strengthen their muscles before surgery achieve a faster and better recovery. The added muscle helps your body adapt to the implant and withstand rehabilitation better.

The exercises you do before surgery will help your rehabilitation by making your body stronger and able to heal better. These include exercises to increase your upper body strength to help you use crutches after your surgery as well as exercises to strengthen your legs.

Exercises you may want to try include:

ankle pumps and circles
thigh squeezes
heel slides
leg slides
lying kicks
straight leg raises
knee bends
sitting kicks
chair push-ups

Your surgeon might also request that you attend a class that thoroughly explains the procedure. The class will help you understand what will take place at every phase of the knee replacement process. Trained nurses usually teach these classes, and the class may be hosted at your scheduled hospital.

Home Setup

Your bed should be low enough for your feet to touch the floor when you sit on the edge of the bed. Keep tripping hazards out of your home.

Learn how to prevent falls. Remove loose wires or cords from areas you walk through to get from one room to another. Remove loose throw rugs. DO NOT keep small pets in your home. Fix any uneven flooring in doorways. Use good lighting.
Make your bathroom safe. Put hand rails in the bathtub or shower and next to the toilet. Place a slip-proof mat in the bathtub or shower.
DO NOT carry anything when you are walking around. You may need your hands to help you balance.

Set up your home so that you do not have to climb steps. Some tips are:

Set up a bed or use bedroom on the same floor.
Have a bathroom or a portable commode on the same floor where you spend most of your day.

You may need help with bathing, using the toilet, cooking, running errands and shopping, going to your medical appointments, and exercising. If you do not have a caregiver to help you at home for the first 1 or 2 weeks, ask your health care provider about having a trained caregiver come to your home.

Activity

Use your walker or crutches as your provider told you to use them. Take short walks often. Wear shoes that fit well and have nonskid soles. DO NOT wear high heels or slippers while you are recovering from surgery.
Do the exercises your physical therapist taught you. Your provider and physical therapist will help you decide when you no longer need crutches, a cane, or a walker.
Ask your provider or physical therapist about using a stationary bicycle and swimming as extra exercises to build your muscles and bones.
Try not to sit for more than 45 minutes at a time. Get up and move around after 45 minutes if you will be sitting some more.

Joint Knee Replacement Surgery After Care

Precautions

To prevent injury to your new knee:

DO NOT twist or pivot your body when you are using a walker.
DO NOT climb up on a ladder or step stool.
DO NOT kneel down to pick up anything.
DO NOT carry anything over 2.25 to 4.5 kilograms (5 to 10 pounds).
Your provider or physical therapist will tell you when you can start putting weight on your leg and how much weight is OK. When you can start bearing weight will depend on what kind of knee joint you have. It is important not to start bearing weight until your doctor tells you it is safe to.
When lying in bed, keep a pillow under your heel or ankle, NOT your knee. It is important to keep your knee straight. Try to stay in positions that do not bend your knee.
Ice your knee 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after activity or exercises. Icing will decrease swelling.

Wound Care

Keep the dressing (bandage) on your incision clean and dry. Change the dressing only if your surgeon told you to. If you do change it, follow these steps:

Wash your hands well with soap and water.
Remove the dressing carefully. DO NOT pull hard. If you need to, soak some of the dressing with sterile water or saline to help loosen it.
Soak some clean gauze with saline and wipe from one end of the incision to the other. DO NOT wipe back and forth over the same area.
Dry the incision the same way with clean, dry gauze. Wipe or pat in just 1 direction.
Check your wound for signs of infection. These include severe swelling and redness and drainage that has a bad odor.
Apply a new dressing the way your doctor or nurse showed you.

Sutures (stitches) or staples will be removed about 10 to 14 days after surgery. You may shower 3 to 4 days after surgery, as long as your surgeon says you can. When you can shower, let the water run over the incision but do not scrub your incision or let the water beat down on it. DO NOT soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or swimming pool.

You may have bruising around your wound. This is normal, and it will go away on its own. The skin around your incision may be a little red. This is normal too.

Self-Care

Your provider will give you a prescription for pain medicines. Get it filled when you go home so you have it when you need it. Take your pain medicine when you start having pain. Waiting too long to take it will allow your pain to get more severe than it should.

In the early part of your recovery, taking pain medicine about 30 minutes before you increase your activity can help control pain.

You may be asked to wear special compression stockings on your legs for about 6 weeks. These will help prevent blood clots from forming. You may also need to take blood thinners for 2 to 4 weeks to lower your risk of blood clots.

Take all your medicines the way you have been told.

DO NOT double up on your pain medicine if you miss a dose.
If you are taking blood thinners, ask your doctor whether you can also take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or other anti-inflammatory drugs.

You may need to avoid sexual activity for a while. Your provider will tell you when it is OK to start again.

People who have a prosthesis, such as an artificial joint, need to carefully protect themselves against infection. You should carry a medical identification card in your wallet that says you have a prosthesis. You may need to take antibiotics before any dental work or invasive medical procedures. Make sure to check with your provider, and tell your dentist about your knee replacement and that you need antibiotics before any dental work.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your provider if you have:

Blood is soaking through your dressing and the bleeding does not stop when you put pressure on the area
Pain that does not go away after you take your pain medicine
Swelling or pain in your calf muscle
Your foot or toes look darker than normal or are cool to touch
Yellowish discharge from your incision
A temperature higher than 38.3°C (101°F)
Swelling around your incision
Redness around your incision
Chest pain
Chest congestion
Breathing problems or shortness of breath