Knee Replacement Facts, Symptoms And Treatment Article

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Knee Replacement Facts, Symptoms and Treatment

Joint Replacement Surgery consists of replacing painful, arthritic or worn out parts of the Joint with artificial surfaces shaped in such a way as to allow joint movements. The Reconstructive / Joint Replacement Surgery is done to restore the anatomic alignment and balance the supportive ligaments..

Author: Kalyan

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Knee replacement is surgery for people with severe knee damage. Knee replacement, or knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which the diseased surface of the knee is replaced by artificial materials.

The surgery can be performed for partial or a total knee replacement. The recovery period may last upto 6 weeks or longer and usually involves the use of aids (e.g. walking frames, canes, crutches) till recovery. There is substantial postoperative pain involved and includes vigorous physical rehabilitation.

When and Why do you need knee replacement?

The indications for knee replacement are many. Below mentioned diseases are some of the reasons you would need Knee Replacement. These hamper day to day activities:-

1. Severe osteoarthritis
2. Advanced Rheumatoid arthritis
3. Psoriatic arthritis
4. Trauma
5. Serious valgus or varus deformity (knock knees or bow legged)

What are the Pre-Operative preparations before surgery?

Knee replacement is major surgery. Before surgery, joints adjacent to the diseased knee are carefully evaluated. Routine blood tests, liver and kidney function tests and urine tests are evaluated for signs of anemia, infection, or abnormal metabolism. Chest X-ray and ECG are performed to exclude significant heart and/or lung disease which may preclude surgery or anesthesia.

All the medications that the patient is taking is reviewed, especially blood thinners.

How is the surgery done?

There are majorly two types of knee replacement surgery, depending on the disease process and degree of knee affected.

1. Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
The surgery involves exposure of the front of the knee, with detachment of part of the muscles of the thigh. The knee cap is displaced to one side of the joint allowing exposure of knee joint. The ends of these bones are then accurately cut to shape using cutting guides. Metal components are then impacted onto the bone or fixed using cement.

A round ended implant is used for the femur, mimicking the natural shape of the bone. On the tibia the component is flat, although it often has a stem which goes down inside the bone for further stability.

2. Partial knee replacement
Partial knee replacement or Unicompartmental arthroplasty (UKA) is an option for some patients. The knee is generally divided into three "compartments": medial (the inside part of the knee), lateral (the outside), and patellofemoral (the joint between the kneecap and the thighbone). Most patients with arthritis severe enough to consider knee replacement have significant wear in two or more of the above compartments and are best treated with total knee replacement.

A minority of patients have wear confined primarily to one compartment, usually the medial, and may be candidates for unicompartmental knee replacement. Advantages over total knee replacement is that it include smaller incision, easier post-op rehabilitation, better range of knee movement and less complications. Patients suffering from Rheumatoid, Lupus, Psoriatic or marked deformity are not candidates for this procedure.

About Author

corp comm coordinator at mediangels.com.

MediAngels is the world's first complete, credible and specialized Global eHospital. MediAngels provides complete healthcare solutions ranging from online consultations, second opinions, lab tests and arranging treatment in best hospitals across the globe.

Visit MediAngels Experts to consult for joint replacement.

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Knee Replacement Facts, Symptoms and Treatment