Everything You Need to Know About Total Knee Replacement

Knee replacement surgery is advised to restore the weight-bearing façade of a diseased, worn, or damaged knee joint. Knee replacement surgery is done with a goal to help the patient to get rid of the pain and restore mobility. The other name given to knee replacement is “knee surfacing” or “knee arthroplasty.” The bone specialist doctor recommends total knee replacement when there is no other way to restore mobility.

Knee replacement surgery can help people whose knee has degenerated due to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or due to severe injury. The majority of patients who have to go for knee replacement surgery are between 50 and 80 years old. More than 90 percent of patients see a dramatic improvement in pain and mobility.

How is Knee Replacement Surgery Useful?

The literal meaning of Arthroplasty is to repair a joint through surgery. The degenerated joints are replaced with prosthetics or artificial body parts. Surgical reconstruction of the joint is done so that it works like a normal healthy joint.

People who have severe knee pain, their knee is hard to move; bones don’t slide over each other; instead, they rub and crush. Knee replacement surgery alleviates the pain and makes the knee to move properly.

Why a Patient Needs a Knee Replacement Surgery?

There are three major reasons for knee replacement surgery:

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis happens when patients are 50 or above, but some younger people also suffer from the problem. It happens with the normal wear and tear of joints. Eventually, the loss of cartilage occurs, and bones rub against each other, and the condition becomes painful.

Rheumatoid arthritis: It is often called as inflammatory arthritis. In this case, the membrane around the knee joint becomes inflamed and thick. Chronic inflammation causes damage to the cartilage, which results in stiffness and soreness.

Post-traumatic arthritis: Severe knee injury causes post-traumatic arthritis. It happens when bones around the knee or ligaments break or tear and affect the knee cartilage.

Who needs a Knee Replacement?

Knee replacement surgery is advised to patients who have the following symptoms:

• Extreme knee pain that doesn’t go away with medicines and interfere with the daily tasks f the patient, such as going upstairs, walking, getting up from a chair, etc.

• Continuous knee pain that doesn’t go away while resting.

• Swelling and chronic knee inflammation that doesn’t go away even after taking medications.

• Knee deformity, especially when there is a noticeable arch on the outside or inside the knee.

Types of knee Replacement Surgery

There are two types of knee replacement surgeries:

• Total

• Partial

Total Knee Replacement Surgery (TKR)

In total knee replacement surgery, both sides of the knee joints are replaced. It is a very common procedure and generally takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. The end result will be improved mobility and less pain. However, in total knee replacement surgery, there will be scar tissue, which makes it difficult to bend knees. But in some cases, total knee replacement surgery is the only choice.

Partial Knee Replacement (PKR)

In Partial knee replacement, only one side of the knee joint is replaced. There is a smaller incision as less bone is removed. It is suitable for those patients in whose case there is damage only to one part of the knee. In a partial knee replacement, there is less blood loss, and rehabilitation is straightforward.

How to Prepare for Surgery

As it is major surgery, there will be many medical consultations, physical evaluations before surgery. Preparatory tests will include checking blood count, urine test, Electrocardiograms (ECG).

The surgery is performed under anesthesia. During the surgery, the orthopedic doctor removes the damaged cartilage and bone. After that, he positions the new implant; it can be of metal, plastic, or both.

Recovery Period

The patient who has undergone knee replacement surgery will be hospitalized for 1 to 3 days. A day after the procedure, the patient will be encouraged by the medical staff to get up and try to walk with a walking aid. It is crucial to follow the instructions of the doctor that will help in the rehabilitation process.

Apart from that, doctors advise physical therapy sessions to strengthen the knee.

Recovering at Home

It can take 3 months to recover completely after a knee replacement surgery. After 4 to 6 weeks, patients can drive again, and it will take around 6 to 8 weeks to return to work. A patient may be advised for physical therapy for 3 months.

Patients must follow the instructions of doctors and physical therapists to ensure they don’t have any problem after the surgery.

The doctor might advise the patient to take iron supplements and not lift anything heavy and don’t stay standing for a long period and use a stick for the first few weeks.

The best orthopedic doctor in Chandigarh advises going to an experienced and qualified doctor for the knee replacement procedure to ensure you get the best care.