Knee Replacement

Knee Replacement

Knee replacement involves replacing the worn-out joint surfaces with metal or polyethylene implants that were created to move like a healthy joint would naturally. Knee replacement procedures can be used to treat advanced cases of knee osteoarthritis that don't respond to other forms of treatment.

It is advantageous for individuals who experience pain while performing normal everyday activities like walking and for those who have severe pain as a result of damaged cartilage in the joints. Other forms of treatment are advised for people under the age of 55, but surgery may be considered in such cases as an emergency or when the patient is in severe discomfort.

Why Knee Joints Get Damaged?

• Genetics
• Congenital joint defects
• Not having blood flow in the knee area
• Rheumatic reasons
• Metabolic illnesses
• Due to blood coagulation
• Age, specially above 65
• Obesity
• After rheumatic illness

Who Needs Surgery?

Most common 2 cases are:

When the patient is in too much agony to walk more than 300 meters.

Patients with chronic pain who require daily pain medication. Painkiller abuse might eventually result in major issues with the liver and kidneys. In certain situations, surgery is required to end the agony and the need for medicines.

Additionally, there are situations in which knee replacement is inappropriate. Surgery cannot be done if the patient has an active infection in their body until the infection has cleared up..

Treatment options other than knee replacement

Stabilizing the joint by surgery is one option for patients whose employment entail strenuous physical labor (such as construction workers, miners, etc.). However, this operation is not advised if the patient has issues with both knees. The treatment is no longer as popular as it once was since it dramatically lessens joint movement.

Physical Therapy: Physical therapy would assist in strengthening the muscles around the knee and momentarily lowering pain. However, osteoarthritis is not cured by it.

Arthroscopic Joint Cleaning: the procedure of removing loose tissue fragments brought on by osteoarthritis from the joint. However, osteoarthritis is not permanently cured by this surgery.

Who Are Suitable for Knee Replacement?

Elderly individuals with advanced osteoarthritis who are between 60 and 80 years old make up the majority of cases. Each situation should be handled individually, and the doctor will select the best course of action based on how severe the issue is. There are cases of successful procedures involving patients as young as 16 years old and as elderly as 90 years old.Elderly individuals with advanced osteoarthritis who are between 60 and 80 years old make up the majority of cases. Each situation should be handled individually, and the doctor will select the best course of action based on how severe the issue is. There are cases of successful procedures involving patients as young as 16 years old and as elderly as 90 years old.

Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries

There are two different procedures for replacing a knee. After reviewing the situation, the orthopedic surgeon will make a decision regarding the operation.

In a total knee replacement, a prosthesis is used to modify the inside and exterior surfaces of the joint.

Only the surface on the inside or outside of the joint is altered with unicondylar knee replacement. Gaining time before the total knee replacement surgery is the goal of this method. To qualify for this treatment, the patient must be young, healthy weight, and have just one side of the joint deformed.

Before the Surgery

Similar to any other operation, the patient must first undergo blood and urine testing to determine whether they are healthy enough to have surgery. The patient is suitable for surgery if the results are positive and there is no infection in the body.

A change in medication would be made between 10 and 5 days before to surgery if the patient uses any blood thinners. After a few days from the surgery, when the risk of bleeding has passed, the patient can resume taking their original medication.

For prothesis procedures, standard operating rooms are not appropriate. To maintain the appropriate air quality in the operating room, a particular ventilation system should be in place.

After the Surgery

The patient must remain in the hospital for the initial 5-7 days, depending on the circumstances. The patient begins simple exercises in bed on the second day, following the doctor's instructions. Patients can leave the hospital once they are able to stand up on their own, use the restroom, and bend over. The patient is given medication to take for 30 days before departing. Up until the healing process is complete, patients should closely follow the recommendations of the doctor and use caution at all times.

For the first 12 hours, patients should utilize a wheelchair. To avoid potential blood flow issues while in the hospital, the patient walks small distances under the doctor's supervision. Additionally, the bandage needs to stay in place to stop bleeding and swelling.

In around 15 days, the stitches will be taken out, and after that, physical therapy will begin. Most patients who undergo knee replacement surgery experience total pain relief. Daily tasks like walking, climbing stairs, etc. can be completed without a walker's support. After surgery, patients shouldn't engage in strenuous physical activity or contact sports.

Possible Complications During and After the Surgery

• Damage to the blood vessels and nerves, as well as bone fractures and splits, are some potential side effects that could appear following prosthesis surgery.

• There are some potential immediate and long-term consequences following surgery.

• Infection of the incision and leg vein obliteration are potential early consequences.

• Pain from the prosthesis becoming looser is one of the potential late consequences.

The patient will benefit from a total knee replacement procedure for roughly 20–25 years. There have been instances where the patient's prosthesis was worn without issue for even longer years. The surgeon's procedures, the prosthesis' quality, the patient's degree of activity, the bone's quality, and the patient's weight all affect how long an implant is predicted to last.

It's crucial to select a skilled surgeon with experience in these procedures to avoid any issues and ensure a healthy implant.

How to Prevent Infection After Surgery 

The knee prosthesis will be susceptible to potential infections. Patients should take certain antibiotics before to any other surgical procedures, including routine ones like having a tooth extracted, for their protection. In these situations, doctors will explain the medications to the patients.

You can make an appointment with Deva Hospital for your knee placement and other orthopedic ailments.