Knee Replacement Surgery

What is Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement surgery is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon replaces the worn cartilage in your knee with artificial materials. The replacement material, called an allograft, is used in other body parts. The most common type of knee replacement involves replacing the surface of your knee with an artificial implant made from one or more artificial materials. These implants can be made of plastic and metal or contain biological components such as smooth muscle cells (from your leg) or bone cells (from another part of your body).

Knee replacement surgery is recommended for people with severe arthritis of the knee. Knee replacement surgery replaces the damaged cartilage and bone in the knee joint with artificial material. The surgery can result in pain relief, improved mobility, and a better quality of life for patients with severe arthritic conditions. Some people choose to have both knees replaced simultaneously to avoid future complications associated with having one knee replaced alone.

How It Works

In a knee replacement surgery, the patient's damaged joint is removed, and a new one is grafted. The surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone and then replaces them with a "cage" made of metal or plastic. The cage keeps the ends of the bones from touching each other and provides stability for the knee. The surgeon removes any remaining damaged tissue in the joint and attaches it to a prosthetic socket.

The new socket is made from plastic or metal, depending on your doctor's preference and what they recommend for your specific condition. It fits snugly over the top of your knee cap, with a hinge that allows you to bend your knee. A patellar tendon (the thick band of tissue that connects your kneecap to your thigh) is attached to this hinge so that when you bend or straighten your knee, it moves smoothly through its range of motion without causing pain in your leg or hip.

The most common type of knee replacement surgery is called arthroplasty. This procedure involves replacing damaged cartilage and ligaments with artificial materials, often made from plastic or metal. The new pieces of cartilage and ligaments can even be made to look like natural tissue.

Conditions and Symptoms Treated

Knee replacement surgery is the most common surgery performed on older adults. It can help restore knee function, improve quality of life and reduce pain.

Surgery typically involves replacing the damaged knee joint with a prosthesis that has been custom-made for your body. The prosthesis is attached to the bone in your hip and thigh.

Pilonarthrosis (also called total knee arthroplasty): This procedure replaces both sides of your knee joint with artificial joints and parts made from metal or plastic. It may involve removing cartilage from the center of your kneecap for better movement.

A meniscectomy (also called partial meniscectomy): This procedure removes only one-third of your damaged meniscus, which cushions the ends of your bones as they slide over each other during weight-bearing activities such as walking, running, or jumping. This procedure does not involve removing cartilage from your knees.

Total knee replacement does not come with a guaranteed recovery time. You will need some physical therapy before walking again and returning to work or normal activity levels.

Success Rate and Results

The success rate of knee replacement surgery is around 90%. However, this depends on the type of knee replacement surgery that you have. The most common type of knee replacement surgery is a total knee replacement, where the entire joint is replaced. This can be compared to a hip replacement where a new artificial hip joint is made.

The percentage of patients who will return to work or continue with their normal activities depends upon many factors, including the quality of the knee, the surgery performed, and how you recover.

If you have a torn meniscus, it may not be possible to put your knee back together completely. The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions the end of your thigh bone (femur). An injury or overuse can tear it, but it does not need surgery because it can heal on its own.

Recovery

Recovery after knee replacement surgery can be complicated for several reasons. The first reason is that there are multiple steps involved in the surgery itself. The second reason is that once the surgery is performed, you must replace your knee with a prosthetic device. This means your body has to heal from the damage caused by having a metal and plastic device implanted into your knee.

The third reason is that you will have to learn how to use your new prosthetic device. This means learning to walk again and using crutches or a cane for support. Finally, you may face some physical limitations after surgery, such as numbness in your toes or heel, weakness in the leg or foot, pain in the lower back or hip joint, and other issues related to pressure on nerves in your leg during walking or standing up straight.

The Benefit of Knee Replacement Surgery

The most common musculoskeletal disease, osteoarthritis (OA), is associated with the degeneration of cartilage in the knee joint. Cartilage is a natural, soft tissue that cushions and cushions the bone surfaces of joints, allowing movement between bones. OA can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and immobility. The symptoms of OA often worsen with age and can result in disability if left untreated.

However, many treatment options are available to relieve OA pain and improve mobility in patients who have already developed advanced stages of OA. The most common treatments include drug therapy, physical therapy, surgery, and joint replacement.

In knee replacement surgery, surgeons replace the damaged or worn-out parts of the knee with artificial parts called prostheses (also known as implants). In total knee replacement surgery, surgeons remove your diseased or damaged knee cap (the top part of your thighbone) and replace it with an artificial one that appears and moves like your normal knee cap would have done had it not been damaged by arthritis or arthritic changes during aging or previous injuries.

Better control over movement. Your new knee will allow you to bend, twist and raise your leg without pain. You may even be able to walk without pain after surgery.

Reduced stiffness due to arthritis in the knee joint. Arthritis causes fluid buildup in the joints, which can cause swelling and stiffness that limits motion. With a new knee, you will have decreased stiffness because there is less space for fluid inside the joint.

Improved range of motion in your hips and lower spine (pelvic girdle). Your new knees will give you more flexibility and improved strength and balance in these body areas.

Risk of this Treatment

The risk of this treatment is low. The rate for a patient to be admitted to the hospital at least once during the first year after surgery is about 5 percent. The rate can be as low as 1 percent if you have certain conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, or if you have major blood clots in your legs that did not go away after surgery.

The most common complication is infection. The infection can be so severe that you must go on antibiotics for at least two weeks after surgery. You may also get pneumonia, sepsis, and other almost always fatal infections.

Infection: The most common cause of infection after knee replacement is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as blood clots in the leg veins. DVT can cause pain, swelling, and skin change around the knee.

Nerve damage: Your nerves may be damaged during surgery, causing numbness or tingling in your toes or foot. Nerve damage can also lead to weakness in your lower leg muscles, affecting your ability to stand up or walk normally.

Before, During, and After the Treatment

Before the treatment

You will be given a list of questions to answer. You will also meet with a surgeon to discuss the procedure and any questions. Before the surgery, your body will be prepared for the procedure by deep cleansing the internal organs. This cleansing can occur at a surgical center or your home before you arrive at the hospital. It is essential to avoid eating large meals and drinking large amounts of fluids during this time.

During the treatment

The surgeon will make an incision in your knee to see if the damage needs to be fixed before they start. They will also make incisions in your hip or thigh so they can get access to your knee joint. The surgery will have you lying on your back with your legs elevated by a mechanical lift. The surgeon will make an incision in the front of your knee to gain access to the joint and remove damaged cartilage, bone, ligaments, and tendons. The knee replacement is then placed into position and secured with screws. You may need to wear a brace after surgery for six weeks or more, depending on how well your body heals around it.

After the Treatment

You will be taken back to recovery, where they place a plaster cast on your leg and lower leg to keep it immobile for a few days. The cast is taken off after about one week when the swelling has gone down enough for them to remove it safely. It is important to consider all factors. There are many risks involved with this surgery, as well as many benefits. Before you decide whether or not to have this procedure done, it is crucial to understand what it entails and your risks.

Why choose our physicians?

Our physicians have been practicing in the same practice for over a decade. Our physicians are board-certified and members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Surgery should be performed by an experienced surgeon who understands your needs and understands how to diagnose and treat your specific injuries. Our physicians work closely with our orthopedic surgeons to provide you with the best possible care.

We aim to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible during your recovery to return home as quickly as possible without worrying about complications. Our physicians are board certified and have many years of experience. We adhere to the highest standards of surgical care, with each procedure performed by a highly qualified surgeon. We have a full-time staff of caring professionals committed to providing you with the highest quality care.

Frequently Asked Questions