If you’ve been told that you’ll need to have your knee replaced in the not-so-distant future, you’re probably wondering when is the ideal time to go under the knife? While there is no perfect answer to this question, there are some factors you should consider when determining when you should schedule your knee replacement operation. We take a closer look at those factors in today’s blog.
When Should I Schedule My Knee Replacement Operation?
While the following factors can help guide your decision as to when you should schedule your operation, your best bet is to get an individualized recommendation from your primary care physician or your knee surgeon. However, if you’ve been told that you can put off your knee replacement months or even years, these are some factors to consider:
- Work Schedule – If you work a job that has busy or slow seasons, this is one of the most important factors to consider. Many construction workers opt to have their surgery performed during the winter, while others try to plan around busy seasons or required company travel. For returned patients, work may not be a factor they consider, but that means other factors become even more important.
- Weather – If your work schedule isn’t important, seasonal weather becomes more of a factor. Some patients prefer a spring or fall climate with moderate temperatures so that getting dressed in the morning doesn’t require extra layers, and they also avoid the snow and ice that can be hazardous during the winter. Patients also oftentimes find it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep during the spring or fall when they don’t need to fuss with the heat or air conditioning as often as other seasons. Some patients prefer the summer because getting dressed typically only requires a shirt and shorts, and the warm weather makes it easier to get outside and walk, which aids in your recovery. Personal preference plays a role in how you want weather to affect your replacement operation recovery.
- Doctor’s Schedule – Just because you want your surgery on a specific day doesn’t mean that your surgeon is going to be able to pencil you in. Surgeons are oftentimes booked out months in advance, so once you settle on a time frame for your surgery, schedule your consultation so you can have a surgery date set.
- Care Providers – Although Dr. Botero specializes in surgical techniques that allow you to recover sooner by limiting tissue damage, you’re still going to need some help at home for the first few days and weeks. When scheduling your surgery, talk with your spouse, a family member or friends who will be helping you in the early stages of your recovery. If they are better able to help during certain times of the year, keep them in mind when scheduling your operation.
- Your Knee Needs – Finally, when you ultimately decide to undergo knee surgery will be based on the needs of your knee. For example, if you are a candidate for partial knee replacement, your surgeon may recommend that you get on the schedule sooner rather than later to preserve as many healthy knee components as possible. Also, if your knee joint is particularly damaged, scheduling the operation sooner can help get you back to normal activities with less pain at a sooner pace. Consider your knee’s degeneration when trying to figure out how long you can put off knee surgery.
At the end of the day, there’s no perfect answer to when you should have your knee replacement operation performed, but if you consider the above tips and connect with a knee specialist in your area, odds are you can find a time that best fits your life. For more information, or for answers to questions about your knee joint, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office today.
