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Working With An Orthopedist

A few years ago, I decided to take up running. I was bad at it at first, but after a few months, I got more comfortable. Unfortunately, right when I got good at running, I developed a bad pain in my left foot. At first, I decided to push past the pain, but it quickly became excruciating. I realized that it might be a good idea to talk with a doctor about my problem, and so I met with an orthopedist. He carefully watched my gait as I ran, and he decided to take some images to check out my bone health. It turned out that I had developed a stress fracture, and my doctor recommended surgery. This blog is all about ways that an orthopedist can help you, so that you can enjoy your hobbies.

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Working With An Orthopedist

Getting Treated For Severe Knee Pain

by Jessie Hawkins

Some of the most difficult bodily injuries to deal with are the ones that affect the limbs, as they can interfere with the ability to move freely. For instance, bone disease can affect the limbs in various ways, such as dealing with knee pain from arthritis. A diseased knee joint from arthritis can interfere with the ability to walk without having to struggle due to the pain that is present. If you have stopped walking around as often as you used to because your knee pain is too severe and doesn't subside with over-the-counter medication, you might need to undergo surgery. This article explains some of the things that you should know about visiting an orthopedic surgeon and possibly undergoing a total knee replacement procedure.

An Examination by a Surgeon

When you explain the type of knee pain that you have been experiencing to an orthopedic surgeon, he or she will try to figure out what the cause might be. If you already have a condition such as arthritis, let the surgeon know because it can help him or her make a faster diagnosis and come up with a plan for treating the pain. You will need to get the bones in your knees examined, which will involve the surgeon touching them, as well as an x-ray and other tests possibly being performed. Your reflexes will be checked in both knees as well so the surgeon will know how functional they are. If your knee joints are badly damaged from arthritis, a surgical procedure known as total knee replacement might be recommended.

Total Knee Replacement

If you end up agreeing to undergo the total knee replacement surgery, there are a few things that you should know in regards to what it involves. The joint that is damaged and causing you a lot of pain will be completely removed from your knee. The bone will then be replaced with a joint that is made of artificial material. However, the artificial material should be able to give you a satisfactory level of motion in your knee area, which means that you will be able to walk and bend your knees.

Expectations After Surgery

After you have undergone total knee replacement surgery, expect to experience a moderate level of pain for up to several months afterward. You may begin to take care of yourself and continue daily activities such as driving in less than two months after the procedure. However, total recovery from the procedure can take as long as a year in some cases. 

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