Many of you have experienced knee pain once in your lifetime. This Knee pain hinders the everyday activities of a person. You might have also consulted an orthopedic surgeon or knee replacement surgeon for your knee problem and they have tried to cure your knee pain through medicines, physiotherapy, exercises, and diet change. But sometimes these procedures don’t work out and as a result Knee Replacement surgery is the only option. In this blog, we will tell you when you should visit a knee replacement surgeon and how knee replacement surgery is performed.
People who have undergone knee replacement surgery have significantly seen a reduction in their knee pain. They have observed improvement in their quality of life. They were able to move freely, stand without pain, go out on a walk, visit the temple, enjoy themselves with their friends and even they were able to drive after knee replacement surgery.
What is Knee Replacement Surgery
Total knee replacement, also known as total knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which a damaged or worn knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint, called a prosthesis. This procedure is usually performed to relieve pain and improve mobility in individuals who have severe arthritis or other conditions that cause damage to the knee joint.
During the surgery, the damaged cartilage and bone in the knee joint are removed, and the joint surfaces are replaced with metal and plastic components that mimic the shape and function of a natural knee joint. The prosthesis is typically composed of a metal femoral component, a metal tibial component, and a plastic spacer that acts as a cushion between the two metal components.
Total knee replacement surgery is a major procedure that requires general or regional anesthesia and typically involves several days of hospitalization, followed by a period of rehabilitation and physical therapy. While the procedure has a high success rate and can significantly improve quality of life for individuals with severe knee pain. Let’s look at the process of how Knee replacement surgery is performed.
Step-by-Step Knee Replacement Surgery Guide
If you are suffering from knee pain you must immediately connect with a knee replacement surgeon to diagnose and treat your problem as early as possible. Your knee replacement surgeon will follow some basic steps to perform the surgery. Step by Step procedure of knee replacement surgery is given below:
- Step 1 – Anesthesia: The patient is given general anesthesia or a regional anesthesia that numbs the lower body. This makes it easy to perform Knee replacement surgery.
- Step 2 – Incision: The surgeon makes an incision in the front of the knee to access the knee joint.
- Step 3 – Preparation of the joint: The damaged or diseased parts of the knee joint are removed, including the ends of the femur and tibia, and the underside of the kneecap. The surgeon may use special cutting guides to ensure that the bones are cut accurately.
- Step 4 – Implant placement: The surgeon then prepares the remaining bone surfaces to receive the artificial knee implant. The implant typically consists of a metal femoral component, a metal tibial component, and a plastic spacer that goes between the two metal components.
- Step 5 – Closure: Once the implant is in place, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures or staples. They also leave a small space between the stitches to remove the excess fluid.
- Step 6 – Recovery: After the surgery, the patient is moved to a recovery room, where they are monitored for a few hours before being transferred to a hospital room. Physical therapy usually begins the day after surgery to help the patient regain strength and range of motion in the knee.
- Step 7 – Postoperative care: The patient is usually discharged from the hospital within a few days after surgery. They will need to follow a rehabilitation program that may include physical therapy, pain management, and exercises to strengthen the knee. The patient will need to avoid high-impact activities, such as running or jumping, for several months after surgery.
Knee replacement surgery is a major procedure that requires careful preparation and postoperative care. The success of the surgery depends on several factors, including the patient’s overall health, age, and level of physical activity, as well as the skill and experience of the surgeon.
When Knee Replacement Surgery is Suggested?
People undergo knee replacement surgery for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is to relieve chronic knee pain and disability caused by severe arthritis or other conditions that damage the knee joint. Some specific reasons people undergo knee replacement surgery include:
- Osteoarthritis: It is one of the most common reasons why people need knee replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that causes the cartilage in the knee joint to wear away, resulting in pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints, including the knee joint. Over time, the inflammation can damage the cartilage and bone in the knee, leading to pain and disability.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: This can occur after a serious knee injury, such as a fracture or ligament tear, which damages the joint and leads to arthritis over time.
- Knee deformities: Some people may be born with or develop knee deformities, such as bowed legs or knocked knees, that can cause uneven wear and tear on the knee joint, leading to pain and disability.
- Other conditions: Knee replacement surgery may also be recommended for people with other conditions that damage the knee joint, such as avascular necrosis, a condition in which the bone in the knee dies due to poor blood supply, or tumors in the knee joint.
The Bottom Line
In summary, knee replacement surgery is a surgical procedure in which a damaged knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint, called a prosthesis. This procedure is typically performed to relieve chronic knee pain and disability caused by severe arthritis or other conditions that damage the knee joint. If you are experiencing chronic knee pain and looking for a knee specialist, then you must contact Cure My Knee to book an appointment with the best knee replacement surgeons in all over India. The success of the surgery depends on several factors, including the patient’s overall health, age, and level of physical activity, as well as the skill and experience of the surgeon.