Knee replacement surgery, in the simplest of terms, is replacing parts of the knee joint with artificial implants. These implants are inserted behind the kneecap (patella) and replace the damaged surface tissues.
What is Knee Replacement?
A complete knee replacement surgery, which we will describe in detail, is the most common operation in which the kneecap is removed from the thigh bone, rotated 180 degrees, stitched and finally replaced with an artificial implant. During the procedure, three or more adjoining bones are involved. This is where the complication of fracturing occurs, as the bone is dislocated in order to achieve the required shape.
Pros and Cons of Knee Replacement Surgery
Pro:
Saves the patient from enduring both pain and other associated trauma of old age.
Reduces the strain of knees on the hip.
Completes the arthritic knee function of the patient.
The pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee is reduced to a minimum.
In a typical knee replacement surgery, the damaged articular surface tissues on the knee joint are removed and the knee is divided in two. A pair of artificial implants called patella implants are then inserted into the restored portion of the knee joint and a locking mechanism is fixed to the implants. The locking mechanism will hold the patella implants in place, thus effectively functioning as a knee joint. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and the patient is able to walk normally within 3-4 hours after the surgery.
Preparation to have knee replacement surgery is not hard to do. The key to a good surgery is education on the procedure and knowing your strengths and limitations.
There are many risks and complications that are often associated with Knee replacement surgery. These include blood clots, infections, wounds to heal, mobility problems, knee pain, prosthetic instability and pain and blood clots.
Do not forget to consider that even if you have not had any symptoms, your doctor may put you on blood thinners for a number of months before surgery. In addition, even if you have no signs or symptoms of any problems, it may still be a good idea to discuss Knee replacement surgery with your doctor because most patients report a feeling of increased mobility and reduced pain after surgery.
Before You See Your Orthopedic Surgeon
Knee replacement surgery is usually performed in outpatient clinics or at an ambulatory surgical center.
The most common alternatives to replacement surgery include knee arthroscopy, which is also known as tissue replacement therapy. This is where surgeons go into the joint to clean and remove the damaged cartilage. In addition to that, there are also other techniques used to replace the cartilage, including bone grafting and cartilage bridges. The cartilage bridge is a simple bridge of bone from the thigh to the groin. The bone is taken from the thigh and inserted into the knee. The surgeon uses a bone graft from the back of the heel to fill in the gap.
The knee is one of the most common joints among those under the age of 40. It’s even more common among those who are overweight, inactive, and have diabetes.
Knee replacement surgery is an outpatient surgery and most common procedures take less than 6 hours. A surgeon typically inserts 3-4 artificial implants, depending on the amount of damage in your knees.
You can choose to have only the rotator cuff repaired or have both of them replaced, which are often done together, since it is more efficient.
Replacement may be necessary if you have repetitive strain injuries in your knees. Other conditions that require replacement surgeries include benign diseases like osteoarthritis, bacterial infections, and rheumatoid arthritis.
How to choose the surgeon?
Choosing the best orthopedic surgeon is an important decision.