Knee replacement is a procedure in which damaged or diseased parts of the knee joint are removed and replaced with new artificial parts, which may be made up of combination of metal, plastic or ceramic.
It may be considered as a treatment option when non surgical methods do not bring desired relief and the joint is severely damaged.
Joint replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure to relieve pain, correct leg deformity, and thus help to improve knee joint functioning.
Most common cause for replacement is seen in joints affected by-
Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Post traumatic arthritis.
PROCEDURE
It can be done under general, spinal, or epidural anaesthesia.
Through an incision made on the skin, the damaged cartilage surfaces at the ends of the femur and tibia are removed along with a small amount of underlying bone. These are replaced with a metal component which is cemented or press-fit into the bone. A medical-grade plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components to create a smooth gliding surface.
This is termed as Total Knee Replacement.
There can be Partial/Unicompartmental Knee Replacement- when arthritis is confined to single compartment of the knee. Only the damaged portion is replaced, leaving the normal portion as such.
If needed, both knee joints can be replaced simultaneously.
DURATION
Single knee replacement usually takes 2-3 hours. Hospital stay is of 5-10 days.
RECOVERY
Physical therapy is started the next day of operation. You are advised to walk with walker from the next day.
One can resume routine activities in 3-4 weeks after the surgery and an active lifestyle in about 6 weeks. You would be advised to refrain from doing certain high impact activities like jogging and jumping etc.
RISKS
- Infection
- Pain
- Venous thromboembolism
- Neurovascular injury
- Implant problems