Knee Doctor Dallas Discusses Dealing with Knee Pain After Knee Surgery

Knee Doctor Dallas Discusses Dealing with Knee Pain after Knee Surgery

Knee surgery is usually the last thing any medical professional wants to do in order to eliminate knee pain, and provide knee pain relief for a patient. However, if a patient fails to respond to conservative care then knee surgery may be the only viable treatment option.

It is imperative that patient’s prepare themselves for the possibility of post-operative knee pain.  Some post surgical knee issues last for a few days while other problems are indefinite, and impossible to eliminate. Post surgical knee pain can be reduced significantly through many different treatment methods. Here are a few things you can do to be proactive so that you can better cope with the pain after knee surgery.

First, Prepare Yourself Before Having Knee Surgery

Make sure you talk to your doctor before knee surgery is performed about the side effects and the downsides to surgery.  Have a clear understanding of the intensity and level of knee pain you may experience, and how long you should expect the pain to continue post surgically.  Although each person handles pain differently, having an understanding of what to expect will permit you to prepare for it better.   It will allow you to take the necessary measures to help eliminate the pain associated with knee surgery. If you are anxious or nervous about knee pain, this can reduce the release of natural endorphins which helps to reduce the pain a person feels. Try to be relaxed and calm prior to your surgery and you’ll likely experience less knee pain during your recovery.

It’s also a good idea to create a plan of how you are going to recuperate at home during the recovery period. Find out from your doctor if there are certain positions you can place your leg and knee to reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain associated with undergoing knee surgery. Also make sure to ask your doctor when you can resume activity after knee surgery. Having a plan will help reduce the chance of injuring yourself post operatively.

Learn about your medication

It’s imperative for you to understand any side-effects associated with the medication you might be taking post-op to reduce pain. It is also important to learn how to deal with any side effects related to the pain medications; such as drowsiness, nausea or constipation. This knowledge will help provide you with peace of mind.

In addition, make sure you communicate with your knee surgeon about which types of medications you are taking PRIOR to your surgery. This will ensure that there are no dangerous interactions with the prescription drugs which might be administered to you AFTER the surgery.

Talk about the Pain you are feeling

The truth is that after knee surgery, your body is rapidly trying to heal and you WILL experience some type of knee pain and discomfort. This is not the time to try and act strong and ignore the pain.  Talking about your pain, and articulating exactly what knee pain you are feeling and where you are feeling it will allow your doctor to prescribe a treatment best suited to relieving these issues.

When Pain Medication Stops Working

Unfortunately, there are situations when pain medications no longer provide effective knee pain relief. If this is the case, there are other types of knee pain treatments available to help eliminate and relieve knee pain after having knee surgery.

For example, cold laser therapy is a non-surgical treatment that alleviates pain, inflammation, and improves function in the knee joint. It is a tool that can provide knee pain relief and pain management for those searching for non-pharmaceutical treatment options.

Keep in mind, cold laser therapy should always be administered by a health care provider.  So find a health care professional in your area who is proficient in cold laser therapy, and who specializes in the treatment of knee pain.

About Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, DC -Dr. Schnee is a cold laser therapy doctor for the non surgical treatment of knee pain.  Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program has been providing non-invasive pain relief to Dallas- Fort Worth residents since 2001. For more information about Dr. Schnee and her program please visit the link above or call the DFW Spine & Joint Center at 214-596-1051.