Knee Replacement Surgery – Important Factors You Need to Learn

If a time has come when you can’t move like you used to, go for a light walk or even get up from a chair, then you would need to go for medication, therapies, injections, etc.

But if nothing seems to work, then you must consider knee replacement surgery.

In fact, you are a good candidate for knee replacement surgery if you have:

1. Knee pain even while resting or sleeping

2. Swelling or inflammation that doesn’t get better with rest or medication

3.Severe knee rigidity or pain that limits normal life activities

4. Difficulty in climbing stairs, walking or getting in and out of a chair

5. Continue to use anti-inflammatory medications, lubricating injections, cortisone injections or physical therapy that does not help your knee

 

Knee replacement, also known as arthroplasty or knee resurfacing, helps to refurbish the weight-bearing smokescreen of a diseased or damaged knee. The objective behind this surgery is to reduce pain and restore agility.

 

This article will discuss all the important factors regarding knee replacement surgery.

So, let’s dive in.

 

Knee Replacement Surgery & Its Types

Knee replacement surgery is an arthroplasty (Surgical repair of a damaged joint). When the articular cartilage of the knee becomes damaged, it causes pain when the knee moves.

The bones rub and crush each other instead of sliding over.

There are 2 main types of knee replacement surgery.

 

1. Total Knee Replacement: In this type, both sides of the knee joint are replaced. The damaged cartilage and bone from all parts of your knee are removed and replaced with a surface of plastic and metal.

 

The patient will feel less pain and better mobility. However, scar tissue will be left, making it difficult to bend the knee.

 

2. Partial Knee Replacement: Here, only one side of the knee joint is replaced. Either the inside (medial), outside (lateral) or the kneecap is removed and then replaced with a prosthetic.

 

Since less bone is removed, the incision made is small. But it normally does not last long as compared to total knee replacement.

 

Why Consider Knee Replacement Surgery?

If your knee pain doesn’t get better, it is time to consider total knee replacement surgery.

Here are 4 top reasons how Knee Replacement Surgery can be beneficial.

 

1. Knee replacement is quite safe: Knee replacement is a highly common treatment solution to provide relief to day to day knee pain concerns.

 

2. Better improved mobility: Knee pain is extremely disabling because it prevents you from walking even moderate distances. This can interfere with your daily lifestyle or prevent you from doing a good job at work.

 

Knee replacement surgery can successfully make your joint stiffness or knee pain go away and help them move more freely.

 

3. High satisfaction: Knee surgery replacement is greatly successful and has shown very high patient satisfaction rates.

 

About 95 per cent of patients feel satisfied with the outcomes of knee replacement surgery almost one year after the treatment. 

 

1. Quality treatment response: Knee surgery can be an effective option if chronic knee infection doesn’t get better with rest, medicines and any other treatments.

In fact, knee replacement surgery lowers your need for physical therapy, medications, and other surgical procedures.

 

 Preparing for the surgery

Various studies have indicated that people who prepare for any surgery are expected to have a quick recovery. The same can be said for knee replacement surgery.

Knee arthroplasty is major surgery. Hence, pre-operative preparation, medical consultations, and physical check-ups must start 1 month before the operation.

However, certain lifestyle changes also need to be incorporated. Cut down your alcohol or tobacco intake and consume a healthier diet. Make sure you consult your doctor if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

Ask your doctor to shed light on your medications as to which can be taken and avoided.

You can also practice exercises that will strengthen the muscles attached to your knee. However, it is necessary to consult your doctor first and get a regimen prepared of daily exercises.

The patient will be hospitalised for 1-3 days, based on how well he or she respond to rehabilitation.

There will be pain, but the staff will motivate the patient a day after the operation to get up and walk around. Certain instructions will be given that must be followed sincerely.

Physical therapies can also help to ease the pain. They can reduce the odds of future risks or complications.

It will normally take up to 3 months for a complete recovery. The patient will be able to drive normally or return to work after 6 to 8 weeks.

 

Final words

An orthopaedic surgeon assesses a knee’s stability and range of motion to decide the possibility of knee replacement surgery.

Your doctor will pick from a variety of knee replacement surgical techniques, depending upon your weight, age, activity level, knee size, shape and health.

We understand that the patients will have concerns over impending knee replacement surgery like the longevity of the surgery and the knee movement post-surgery.

You can get these concerns out of the way by discussing them with your healthcare expert.

Neotia Getwel Healthcare Centre is a leading name in the field of Joint Replacement Surgery, Arthroscopy, Arthroplasty and Complex trauma surgeries. To book your appointment regarding any relevant problems, click here.

 

Disclaimer

Though all attempts are made to provide correct information on the subject, inadvertent & typographical errors arising out of manual intervention cannot be ruled out.

It is requested to bring any such discrepancies to the notice of the blogger for correction.