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Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement | Posted on 05/12/2020 by RBH
Knee replacement surgery or more commonly known as total knee arthroplasty is one of the most common surgical procedures, which involves relieving pain and restoring normal function in the critically ailing knee joint. The surgery involves resurfacing a knee that has either been damaged by age-related arthritis or by injury. The doctor separates the damaged cartilage and bone defects from the thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap and replaces it with an imitation joint, made of top-quality metal and plastic, also known as a prosthesis.
A knee replacement surgery is appropriate for people that suffer from acute or chronic pain in knee joints, due to damage, weakening, wear-tear, injury, etc. of the bone and cartilage of the joint. A problematic knee joint makes it extremely difficult to make any movement such as climbing stairs, walking, sitting cross-legged, or squatting. A person experiencing problems with knee functioning is advised medications and physical therapy before being recommended a total knee replacement surgery. In fact, efforts are made to restore mobility and functionality through the usage of walkers, sticks, etc.
A knee replacement surgery is a safe, effective, and non-complicated procedure that helps a person to gain functionality and relieves the pain of the problematic knee joint, and resume normal activity by correcting the leg deformity. Moreover, with developments in medical technology and procedures, knee replacement surgery is performed with precision and hence, it is one of the safest surgical procedures today.
However, a critical assessment of the need for knee replacement surgery must be done before making a final decision. All alternative courses of treatment – including medications, physiotherapy, and non-invasive medical aids – should be tapped while analyzing the need for knee replacement surgery. An evaluation of the knee’s motion ability, stability, strength, flexibility, structure, etc. will be conducted by the orthopedic surgeon. Before planning the surgery, the surgeon may also conduct some tests to gain deeper insights such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to assess the damage of the present condition. Moreover, the selection of prostheses and surgical methods will be made as per the patient’s age, weight, physical activeness, general health, and most importantly the present and the expected future form and shape of the knee.
The most important reason for undertaking a knee replacement surgery is to relieve the pain and restore the normal functionality and movement of the knee, which has been hampered due to osteoarthritis because of increasing age, any trauma, injury, etc. A chronic knee problem can cause extreme difficulty in performing even simple activities such as walking, sitting, lying down, climbing stairs, getting up and sitting back, etc.
Osteoarthritis: Degenerative arthritis that is prominent in people in middle age or beyond; this type of arthritis breaks down the cartilage of the knee joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This type of arthritis is caused when the joint synovial membrane has chronic inflammation leading to the accumulation of excess synovial fluid, causing extreme pain and stiffness in the knee joint.
Traumatic arthritis: Traumatic arthritis is caused because of injury or trauma to the knee joint leading to excessive pain or damage.
A knee replacement surgery is considered one of the safest surgical procedures in the medical world today and hence, is characterized with barely any risks apart from the general risks that are linked to any normal surgery. Some of the risks involved in knee replacement or in any other orthopedic surgery are:
Two other important risks that specifically pertain to knee replacement surgery are:
A knee replacement surgery is a critical surgery and the pre-operative preparation, consultations and tests usually begins few days before and need to be conducted carefully to ensure complete success.
Pre-operative tests: A doctor will conduct several tests to assess the blood count, existing blood clots, and heart health (through echocardiography (2D echo)).
Food and medications: You would be advised to refrain from consuming specific medications and supplements. And on the day of the surgery, you will be asked not to eat anything post-midnight.
Post-surgery preparations: After the knee replacement surgery, the patient would need a walker to walk around or in some cases, may be advised complete bed rest for a time period. Hence, all arrangements need to be made after considerable consideration with the doctor to ensure a speedy and effective recovery. Also, little things – such as safety bars, handrails for support in the washroom, the elevation of legs while sitting, sitting while bathing, placing a higher toilet seat, etc. – should be prepared in advance.
A knee replacement surgery is a major surgical procedure and it will take some time for the new knee joint to recover and assume normal functionality. A knee replacement surgery is a boon for people suffering from lack of mobility and functioning or excessive pain in knee joints; the surgery enhances the quality of life and can even last for more than 15 years, providing care is taken. In general cases, a patient can resume normal routine activities almost after three to six weeks after the knee replacement surgery. However, it is advisable to refrain from rigorous activities such as swimming, golfing, biking, etc. which can be undertaken once complete recovery and a go-ahead from the doctor are acquired. Although activities such as jogging, jumping, skiing, tennis, sports, etc. can be resumed slowly. It is important to keep the doctor involved in the undertaking of any new physical activity that might stress the newly replaced knee joint.
Moreover, the patient may be advised to undergo some physical therapy, which is essential for the strengthening of the muscles of replaced joints and the maintenance of the smooth movement of the replaced knee joint. Also, special diets, physical exercises, follow-up appointments, and tests, might be suggested by the doctor to fasten the process of recovery.
In all, knee replacement surgery is a shared decision and one that must be made after careful analyses of the current condition of the knee, the need for the surgery, the intensity of symptoms and problems, as well as the after-effects of the surgery.
