What is Total Knee Replacement?
Total Knee Replacement
A large number of people have to endure the difficulties that come with having a bad knee. Knee replacement is a surgery that is performed to rectify the difficulties that are caused by a bad knee joint. A knee replacement surgery is also called “knee arthroplasty”. The knee joints that are under attack of diseases like arthritis will be severely damaged. If a person has sustained major injuries to the knee, it would be difficult for them to perform simple activities. This will cause excruciating pain for the patients and in many cases, limit their ability to move their knees or even walk. If medication or external treatments are not working, a good and often the only alternative to rectify this is to resort to knee replacement surgeries. In a knee replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shin bone, thigh bone, and knee cap are removed by cutting them away, and then the respective parts are replaced with prostheses that are made of alloys, high-grade plastics, or polymers. Whether a patient is in need of knee replacement surgery, is determined by an orthopedic surgeon. The doctor checks the condition of the knee, the doctors take X-rays in order to determine the depth of the damage. And depending on the patient’s medical history, height, weight, and health conditions choose the kind of prosthesis that is best suited for the patient.
In the majority of the cases, a knee replacement surgery is done for the people who are under the attack of osteoarthritis. The joint cartilage of a person who is under the attack of osteoarthritis is subjected to breakdown. This damage will limit locomotion and the patient will be in agony. Other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis will also lead to the degeneration of the knee joints. People who are experiencing diseases like these will be in severe pain. The respective person will not be able to perform day-to-day activities such as walking, climbing a flight of stairs, or sitting and getting off a chair. In several cases, people experience pain as they rest, as well. Such conditions can be controlled with medicine and external treatments to an extent. However, if those options are not rectifying the problem, then the person might have to get knee replacement surgery.
- PROCEDURE NAME : Total Knee Replacement
- SURGERY TYPE: Minimally Invasive LASER
- HOSPITALIZATION: No Hospitalization
- SURGERY DURATION: 30 minutes
- ANAESTHESIA:Spinal Block / General Anaesthesia
- FULL RECOVERY: 3 - 4 days
TREATMENTS
Diagnosis
It is fair to say that there are risks to any surgical procedure. A knee replacement surgery is no different. Some of the major risks of a knee replacement surgery are infection, blood clots that might form in the veins of the leg, or blood clots that might be formed in the lungs. Knee replacement surgery puts a person at risk of nerve damage as well. The possibility of the person sustaining a heart attack or a stroke cannot be overlooked either. In the majority of the cases, the main complication seen is the knee getting infected. If the person has a high fever, it indicates an infection. Increased redness and tenderness in the area, fluids leaking out of the surgical site, swelling, etc are also indications of an infection. When the knee gets infected after a knee replacement surgery, the alternative is to surgically remove the replaced knee and use antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Then the new knee is installed by performing another surgery. A replaced knee might last a person for over a decade. However, the chances of the new knee wearing out are present. Everyday usage will wear out even the best-replaced metal parts of the knees. With proper care and caution, there shouldn’t be any major issues for the recipient. Although, harsh exercises and high-impact activities might cause the artificial knee joint to wear out and cause the failure of the joint.
Surgery
Knee replacement is done with the use of anesthesia. General anesthesia or spinal anesthesia is used for this procedure. The patient’s input is used to determine what kind of anesthesia should be used. Since the risk of post-surgical infection is high during the procedure, intravenous antibiotics are given to the patient, before and after the operation. In some cases, the patient might also be given nerve blockers around the knee to numb it. The numbness will eventually wear off after the surgery is done. The surgery lasts for about 2 hours. During the procedure, the knee is kept in a bent position, so that the surface of the joints can be exposed. Then the surgeon proceeds to make a large incision and continues to move the knee cap aside. Then the damaged parts of the knee joint are cut away. The surfaces of the joint are prepared so that the artificial joint can be attached. Then the incision is closed and the wound is stitched up. However, before closing the incision, the orthopedic surgeon rotates the knee or bends it so that they can ensure that the joint is functioning properly.
Causes
- Chronic constipation
- Painful bowel movements
- Nausia
Symptoms
- Discomfort while sitting
- Swelling & Itching
- Painful bowel movements
- Excessive Bleeding
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a knee replacement surgery done?
A knee replacement surgery is done to rectify damaged knee joints that are not letting a person walk or causing severe pain.
What is the common problem after a knee replacement surgery?
Many people have reported that they have stiffness in their knee after a knee replacement surgery.
How long does it take for a replaced knee to heal?
In most cases, it takes about 6 months for a replaced knee to heal. However, it can take up to 12 months for a replaced knee to fully heal and regain its functions in some people.
What should I avoid after a knee replacement surgery?
You Should avoid engaging in strenuous activities that will put pressure on your knees and you can avoid sitting in soft chairs or chairs that are too low.
What should I do if my replaced knee gets infected?
If you think you have an infection after the surgery, consult your physician immediately.
