Preparation and investigations for the surgery is done from 3 different angles
- Fitness to have an anesthetic
- To detect hidden sources of infection in the body
- To help the surgeon in the technical planning for the operation
Fitness to have anesthetic
- Complete hemogram, ESR
- Blood sugar
- Blood Urea
- Serum Creatinine
- Serum electrolytes.
- Platelet count
- PT/APTT
- Arterial blood gas analysis (ABG)-Arterial blood to be taken by an anesthetist
- Chest x-ray
- ECG
- Routine urine examination
- Echo cardio gram - (for patients above 45 years)
To detect hidden infection
- Urine culture
- Dental opinion
- Dermatologist consultation
Doctor's assessments
- Anesthetic opinion
- Urologist opinion in elderly males
- Cardiologist opinion in high risk patients
Technical planning
Recent weight bearing x-rays AP. Lateral, and Merchant sky line views
Standing Full-length standing AP view of both lower limbs
May be required
- CT scan
- 3D reconstruction
- Special x-rays eg: lateral view, 45 degree flexion PA weight bearing view
Pre operative skin preparation - Starting a week before the planned date of surgery, you should apply Chlorhexidine 4 %/ Betadine solution after a bath to your skin below the neck, wait for five minutes and then wash it off. Do this twice daily.
It is strongly recommended that all major dental work like root canal treatment, periodontal treatment, crown work should be done before your knee replacement. If you do require dental treatment after your knee replacement, it should be covered with antibiotics.
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