As we grow older, it is only natural for our bodies to degenerate somewhat.  This can occur from the daily "wear and tear" a body goes through, especially if that person worked a physical job for many years.  The body's inability to repair itself after a certain age, creates many problems for seniors who may find it difficult to complete even the simplest daily tasks.  One of these common ailments among seniors is osteoarthritis.  This a condition involving the degeneration of joints.  This can cause swelling, stiffness, knees locking up and debilitating pain. 

 

    At this point, one may want to consider knee replacement surgery (or Total Knee Arthroplasty;TKA) to improve their quality of life.  Being prepared for surgery and the recovery period afterward is important to the overall well being of the patient as well as for those who will be caring for them.  One easy step to take is monitoring/changing ones diet,  especially if you are overweight/obese.  The extra weight carried not only puts excess stress on the joints, it also makes recovery and rehabilitation much harder on the body.  It is also important to make sure you are getting the right vitamins and enough of them.  Some vitamins, such as C and D, are not only important in the overall health of your body, but actually contribute specifically to the the prevention of osteoarthritis and the narrowing of bone space. 

 

     Another great step in preparing for surgery is developing an exercise routine that will help strengthen your body.  This will make the physical and painful  rehabilitation process much easier and can even shorten the duration of recovery. This will help to minimize the stress on you and your caregivers.  Once you've had the surgery, you should expect to be in the hospital 3-5 days.  Within a month to seven weeks afterward, there should be a noticeable improvement in mobility and a decrease/lack of pain.  With the exceptions of running and jumping, most daily activities can be renewed.  Of course, the amount of time needed for full recovery is different from person to person. 

 

     Though not to be taken lightly, knee replacement is a routine surgery performed on over 600,000 people worldwide each year. The average age of patients undergoing this treatment in America is between 65-70.  With a success rate of over 90%, knee replacement is a very viable and productive option.