According to the National Association of Homebuilders, over half of the houses built in the U.S. are two stories tall. Many of these homes feature bedrooms, bathrooms, and other important areas on the second floor that may not be accessible when a weight-bearing joint is recovering from an invasive procedure, leading many people to wonder, “When can I climb stairs after total knee replacement surgery?”
The choice to go into surgery is often life-changing. Since many procedures can affect mobility, independence, and a patient’s overall health for years to come, getting a second opinion before surgery can help you ensure you are making the best decision.
Joint conditions are some of the most common sources of chronic pain and limited mobility. In fact, about 58.5 million US adults have arthritis, and 25.7 million of those individuals claim that arthritis limits their ability to perform certain activities.
The first recorded attempt at hip replacement surgery was in 1891; however, this type of surgery was not deemed entirely effective until 1962. Moreover, even the successful total hip arthroplasties from the mid-1900s yielded relatively low implant survival rates after 10 years.
For many patients, the first 24 to 72 hours after a surgery can be the most challenging part of the healing process. Pain may be the most prominent during this time, since the body is working hard to repair tissues, control inflammation, and restore function.
Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system attempts to make medically necessary surgeries affordable or sometimes free at the point of care. However, the trade-off is often long delays, especially when accessing procedures like hip replacements or knee replacements.
Many Canadians travel abroad for joint replacement surgery, often heading to places like the United States. In turn, these patients can circumvent Canada’s joint replacement wait times and get quicker access to highly specialized orthopedic care.
Minimally invasive hip replacement is a surgical technique that replaces the damaged hip joint with as few incisions as possible. By creating only one or two 3 to 6-inch incisions, surgeons are able to minimize disruption to surrounding muscles and soft tissue.
Dr. Shane Martin
