(Admission)
After entering the hospital and final admission, you will be taken to the International Patients Department by the head of the International Patients Department to get acquainted with the treatment staff and your doctor. There, your specialist doctor will examine you. Your medical record will be created and all information such as the pills you are taking or your treatment history or possible problems in the past will be reviewed and recorded by the medical team. Then you go to the imaging department with the accompanying nurse to take radiology or MRI images of your knee. You will then be admitted to be monitored to prepare for the operation. In the meantime, you will be evaluated by a nurse; your blood pressure will be checked and a blood sample will be taken from you to register your blood type and you will go to the laboratory to check your blood sugar and cholesterol, etc. You will also be examined by a cardiologist and you will have an ECG taken and an echocardiogram taken if necessary. You will then be examined by an anesthesiologist to determine if you can have this surgery. Two types of anesthesia are used for this operation, complete anesthesia or spinal anesthesia, which makes your lower back numb so that you do not feel pain. The medical team decides what type of anesthesia is right for you.
(Surgery)
You will be given information about the operation you will have and pre-surgery training. You will then be taken to the operating room at a pre-arranged time. You will be anesthetized and your surgery will begin in a few minutes. Your operation takes about 2 hours. After the knee joint is replaced and the surgery is completed, you will be taken to the recovery ward to be monitored and your vital signs will be recorded constantly; you will be constantly monitored by the anesthesiologist and surgeon to regain consciousness. Once you regain consciousness, according to your doctor’s diagnosis, you will either return to your ward or be taken to the intensive care unit. Your medication, which was started the day before to prevent infection, will continue. Also, your bleeding will be completely under control and your dressings will be changed regularly. You will also be injected with an analgesic pump so that you do not feel any pain. After being conscious, you will be examined by your doctor in the ward.
(Examination)
New tests are taken from you to make sure you are healthy. You will then be examined by your doctor. On this day, a new radiograph will be taken from you to make sure your new knee is in good condition. You are still completely under observation and your dressings are changed regularly. A catheter is also attached to you so that you do not have a problem urinating and do not get out of bed.
(Walking)
Your nursing care continues. If the condition is stable, the catheter will be removed. You will be examined by your doctor. Today, you see a physical therapist besides your doctor. Your doctor and physical therapist will give you the necessary training. With the help of these two, you will get out of bed and you will be taught how to walk properly with the new joint in a practical way. We make sure you can walk alone and you have seen all the necessary training. Then go back to bed and rest.
(improving)
All nursing care continues and you are practiced by a physical therapist every day after being examined by your doctor. Then, if your condition is stable, you will receive the necessary training for home care and proper exercise by a physical therapist and you will be released. Now the treating physician will come to you again and the final visit will take place and their important instructions and recommendations will be told to you again.
Now you have a new knee that you can return home easily and without pain.
It is better to stay in Iran for a week after discharge to avoid a long trip and to easily access the doctor and be examined if you need to. And if you want, you can return home any day you want from the day after the discharge. We will not leave you alone and whenever you have any questions, you can contact us or even have a video call with your doctor through the head of the department. In addition, the head of the department will be in touch with you in the first week after your discharge to ensure your health.
Remember that you have undergone a heavy operation so you should not put pressure on your new knee and you should also continue physical therapy in your country.
Recommendation: It is best to walk with a cane or crutch for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery to put less pressure on the new knee and also give your bone and other tissues around the surgical site a chance to regenerate.
