Three Questions to Ask Your Knee Surgeon

Are you an athlete who has been the victim of a severe leg injury? If so, then you are most likely preparing to undergo some kind of surgical procedure. If you are, then there are a few questions that you should be sure to ask your knee surgeon before the procedure. Surgery can be a frightening experience, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you know what to expect in advance of your operation, you will be much more likely to handle the procedure well. You should find out from your doctor the details of the procedure, the expected recovery time, and what life will be like after the surgery.

The Procedure:

Prior to your surgery, you should sit down with your knee surgeon and ask him or her to describe the procedure that you are about to have. If you know precisely what the doctor is going to do, then this will help you to prepare yourself mentally for what is to come. The more mentally prepared you are, the more likely you will be to handle the stress of surgery, and this can go a long way in helping the procedure to be a success.

Recovery Time:

You should also talk candidly with your knee surgeon about the expected recovery time for the sort of operation that you are having. While everyone heals at a different rate, your doctor should be able to give you a good idea as to how long you will be out of commission. He or she will also be able to tell you what to expect during your recovery, and this can be a huge benefit. The more information you have about your recovery in advance, the better able you will be to prepare for the weeks after your surgery.

Getting Back to Normal:

Finally, you should ask your knee surgeon to give you his or her honest opinion about the extent of your recovery. You will want to have an idea of what to expect with respect to life after your surgery. In most cases, these operations are such that you will be able to completely regain the strength and range of motion that you had before your injury. However, you will want to speak with your doctor in order to find out just how likely a full recovery is. Once again, the more information you have, the better prepared you will be.