If you are experiencing chronic knee pain and restricted knee mobility and you have tried all other treatments such as physiotherapy or steroid injections to get respite from pain and improve your knee mobility but to no avail, knee replacement may be the only option for you.
Knee replacement is a surgical procedure often recommended for patients with severe pain, stiffness and immobilization in their knee joint arising out of degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis or some form of injury.
For severe cases where painful symptoms do not respond to conservative, non-operative treatments such as weight loss, activity modifications, anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections, replacement of the knee may only be helpful.
While performing the replacement surgery, the surgeon replaces the severely affected and destroyed part(s) of the arthritis knee with artificial metal or plastic devices called 'prostheses'.
Types
Depending on the severity of the damaged, worn or diseased knee, the replacement of the knee can either be partial or total.
Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is a highly successful surgical procedure which involves replacement of all three parts of the knee- inside, outside and the front of the knee.
While performing total knee replacement, the surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of your knee joint and replaces them with an artificial implant made of metal or plastic that functions similar to a normal knee.
Partial knee replacement (PKR) is a minimally invasive surgery that may be considered if pain is present in only one of the knee's 3 compartments. When you have a PKR, the surgeon replaces only the single affected knee compartment located underneath the kneecap with a metal and plastic implant.
Benefits
Knee replacement can significantly reduce knee pain, improve muscle strength and correct deformities.
Following the surgery, you can return to your daily routine activities with a healthy new knee.
It can significantly improve the quality of your life with improved movement of the knee joint
After getting your knee replaced, you can walk without a stick and can carry out household chores such as dusting and washing up
You get rid of instability, disability and limited mobility of the knee
Your problems like chronic knee stiffness and swelling that prior to the surgery prevented you from bending and straightening your knee are completely alleviated
With less pain and greater mobility, you'll be able to perform low-impact activities including climbing stairs and getting in and out of car without the use of a support.
Risks
As with any surgical procedure, knee replacement also has some potential risks. Although most knee replacement patients do not experience serious complications, there are possible risks associated with the surgery. These complications and risks include:
Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the veins in lower leg
Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in your lung) is a possibility
Excessive bleeding and scarring at the site of incision
Damage to nearby blood vessels, bones or nerves, is also possible
Possibility of primary infection as well as a superficial infection
Urinary tract infection is likely
Adverse reactions to anesthesia
Failure/loosening of the knee implant may occur
Fracture in the bone around the replaced joint during or after the surgery
There are several other possible post-surgery complications, so it is vital to educate yourself about the knee replacement surgery before undergoing the procedure. Fortunately, majority of knee replacement surgeries are performed successfully and go without any major complications whatsoever. If performed by a skilled surgeon and if the new knee is cared for properly, it can last for many years.
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