If you would like to know about knee joint replacement operations - specifically, the advantages and disadvantages of knee joint replacement - the following article will interest you.
Replacement knee surgery involves substituting an injured, worn, or diseased knee joint with an artificial joint. It is a routine operation for knee damage, particularly when arthritis is involved. The medical term for a complete knee replacement is total knee arthroplasty.
Most people who undergo total knee replacement surgery are aged between 60 and 80 years old. Patients must be in good physical health to cope with a major operation and the rehabilitation afterwards. It is, therefore, recommended to try non-surgical options before having an operation. These include:
physiotherapy – to improve flexibility, mobility and strength
painkillers – to reduce pain and allow greater movement
anti-inflammatory drugs – to reduce swelling
steroid injections – to reduce pain and swelling
losing weight – to reduce strain on the knees
Knee joint replacement operations are performed by an orthopaedic surgeon, usually under a general anaesthetic. The alternative is to have an epidural that completely blocks sensation in the leg and enables the patient to stay awake during the operation.
Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, the orthopaedic surgeon makes a single cut about 15-30cm down the front of the knee. The kneecap is moved to one side so the joint is accessible. The worn or damaged surfaces are removed from the thigh and shin bones, and the ends are shaped to fit the artificial knee.
A replacement joint is fitted over both bones. The back of the kneecap may also be fitted with an artificial cap, known as a patellar resurfacing. Once all the new parts are in place, the wound is closed with stitches, and covered with a dressing. The knee will also be bandaged to reduce swelling. The total procedure takes up to two hours.
Replacement knee surgical operations are very successful at relieving severe knee pain and improving mobility of the joint. In one study, 9 out of 10 people rated their artificial knee as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ five years after having surgery. For these people, a replacement knee should last for 10-15 years or longer still.
The initial pain of knee replacement surgery improves after the first week, and usually disappears completely after three weeks. After six months, the new knee is straight, comfortable when walking, and can bend more than 90 degrees.
Short-term
There are unwanted but usually temporary effects of successful knee replacement surgery. For instance, your knee will be sore when you move it and may remain swollen for up to three months. There will also be a scar over the front of the knee, and the knee may be temporarily, or permanently, numb.
Long-term
The new knee joint is unlikely to be perfect; some difficulty in movement is to be expected even some time after surgery. Some people also report a clicking noise in the artificial joint when they walk. This is the sound of the prosthetic parts moving together.
A replacement knee cannot last forever and the joint will wear out or become loose from the bone after a number of years. Fewer than 9% of people need to have the artificial joint replacement within 1-5 years of the original surgery. The repeat process is more complicated and may not be as successful as the first.
On rare occasions, unexpected complications can occur during or after knee replacement surgery. These include:
infection of the wound or joint
instability of the knee, requiring a second operation
the affected leg may be longer than before
nerve damage during surgery
scar tissue may restrict movement
dislocation of the kneecap
blood clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis)
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