Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will my knee numbness following my knee replacement surgery get better?
A: Many patients have numbness over the lateral aspect of their knees following knee replacement surgeries. This sensation continues to improve after surgery and will resolve in some patients. In others, it might not change much and most people are in between with improvement but not complete resolution. This process can last up to two years.
Q: Why did I develop numbness in my knee following my knee replacement surgery?
A: The numbness on the outside of the knee is typically due to a nerve injury that occurs when the mid-line anterior knee incision is made. It is a very common occurrence that can sometimes be avoided. Dr. Akinbo now slants his incision to decrease risk of injury to the nerve, and risk of numbness following knee replacement surgery.
Q: When can I return to driving after my joint replacement surgery?
A: Usually after about 6 weeks if right sided joint replacement surgery and as soon as a week if left sided joint replacement surgery and no longer taking narcotic medications.
Q: Does Dr. Akinbo do minimally invasive knee replacement surgery?
A: Yes. Dr. Akinbo does minimally invasive knee replacement surgery (to include subvastus approach) and doesn’t cut the quadriceps muscle during surgery. If the muscle is not cut, it doesn’t have to heal; this can help speed up recovery following your knee replacement surgery.
Q: I have grinding sounds in my knee that developed months after my knee replacement surgery, is this normal?
A: This can be normal. About a third of patients will have crepitus or grinding sounds in their knees following knee replacement surgery. This can be due to scar tissue in the knee or the contact of the metal and plastic components of the knee replacement during motion.
Q: Does Dr. Akinbo do anterior hip replacements?
A: Yes
Q: Will I have staples for my joint replacement surgery?
A: Typically not. The incisions following hip, knee and shoulder replacement surgeries are closed with dissolvable sutures. On rare occasions, the skin integrity would dictate staples.
Q: When can I totally submerge my knee in water after knee replacement surgery?
A: The knee can be submerged in a bathtub or swimming pool after about 6 weeks.
Q: How long will I be on a blood thinner after my joint replacement surgery?
A: About 4-6 weeks.
Q: What works best, ice or heat?
A: Ice is generally recommended for the first few weeks after your joint replacement surgery to help bring down the swelling. Afterwards, you can try heat and ultimately do ice or heat depending on what works best for you.
Q: Would I be able to climb stairs again after my knee replacement surgery?
A: Yes. Your physical therapist will help you learn the best way to climb stairs following your surgery.
Q: Will I need physical therapy after surgery?
A: Yes.
Q: When can I have sex after my hip replacement surgery?
A: As soon as you feel comfortable and your pain allows. Click here for guide to returning to sexual activity following hip replacement surgery.
Q: I can’t sleep following my knee replacement surgery. Is this normal?
A: Insomnia is very common after knee replacement surgery and can persist for as long as three months after surgery. Over-the-counter remedies may be useful.
Q: How much bend should I expect in my knee after complete healing from my knee replacement surgery?
A: The average patient will have about 115 degrees of flexion after about a year. Some would have less, others would have more. Your pre-operative motion and intra-operative motion represent good guides for post-operative expectations.
Q: How much motion do I need in my new knee replacement to be able to perform my daily activities?
A: You will need your extension to be within 10 degrees of being fully straight to stand without issues. You will need about 70 degrees of knee flexion to walk on flat surfaces, 90 degrees of flexion to climb stairs, and about 105 degrees of flexion to get up from low chairs.
Q: My knee now feels longer following my knee replacement surgery, am I longer?
A: Most people will not have a significant difference in their length following knee replacement surgery. However, for some people with significant bowing before surgery, straightening the knee will provide the perception of increased length without actual increased length. Most patients will get used to the deformity by 3 months, but if persistent then it might be prudent to use a shoe lift in the other shoe so as to not walk with the replaced knee in a bent position trying to accommodate the other knee.
Q: How do you prevent one leg from being longer than the other during my anterior hip replacement surgery?
A: Particular attention is paid to restoring your length during hip replacement surgery. This is done in multiple ways. Firstly, every hip is templated with a computer software and we ascertain the presence of a leg length discrepancy prior to the hip replacement surgery. We also use leg length blocks to ascertain the amount of discrepancy present if very significant or with congenital leg length discrepancy. Secondly, we use computer navigation during the hip replacement surgery and it predicts the length of the new hip to a very accurate degree. Thirdly, we use fluoroscopy which is essentially an x-ray movie during the surgery to confirm that the length restored in the hip replacement is the planned length.