Knee injuries are common in the elderly, and knee replacement surgeries have become safer over the past several years, leading to a rise in the number of these that are occurring. For the most part, this is a good thing, but pain management has become a big issue after knee injuries. Many doctors have prescribed opioids in the past, but current research shows that this can create a whole set of new problems, including addiction and early mortality.
This has led doctors to attempt to find better ways of pain relief after a knee replacement surgery happens. One method involves something called multimodal pain management. This includes regional anesthesia during pre-operative procedures, pain management medications before and after surgery, and intra-operative pain medication injections deep within the knee by the surgeon. This, when combined with physical therapy and gradual exercise, can help elderly folks that have had a total knee replacement to begin the healing process with less pain, and get started toward regaining more usage of their legs. It will help increase mobility for many, and this will lead to a higher quality of life and more independence. It can also do wonders for mental health and even prevent depression, some studies have hinted at.
Some of these methods may be tougher for senior citizens, but that doesn’t mean that they are impossible to do. Having the supervision of a caregiver, either an in-home care professional or someone else, can also make this process easier to go through. Other sources of research say that when pain is managed effectively, the outcome for the patient is made far better, and this is more than enough evidence to make the case for safe pain management for our loved ones. This is a way to help improve the quality of our loved one’s life, and that means we should do what we can to help, even if it proves to be difficult at first.
When someone loses the independence that comes with being able to walk around easily on their own, there are a whole host of complications that may occur. Mental health may deteriorate, and things like cardiovascular illness and diabetes can become more common. Having the company of an in-home caregiver may help some, but the far better alternative is to make sure that the loss of independence doesn’t occur. It is inevitable in many cases as people age, but if it can be postponed through more effective medical procedures, such as with a more effective total knee replacement surgery, then this seems like the better route. This needs to be addressed on a case by case basis, of course, but this is good news for those needing knee surgery. If your elderly loved one is in need of such a surgery and has doubts, this could be something to discuss with their medical professional to see if it is right for your family. At the very least, it is one more thing to consider that has the potential to help them live a better, happier, and longer life.
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