The most common cause of chronic knee pain and disability is arthritis. Most knee pain is caused by three types of Arthritis:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Post Traumatic Arthritis
Different types of knee implants are used to meet each patient’s individual needs.
The Surgery is recommended, if
- Severe knee pain or stiffness limits your everyday activities including walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs.
- Moderate or severe knee pain occurs while resting either during day or night
- Chronic knee inflammation and swelling that does not improve with rest or medications
- Knee deformity — a bowing in or out of your knee
- Failure to substantially improve with other treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, lubricating injections, physical therapy, or other surgeries
Pre Total Knee Replacement
A medical history. Your Orthopaedic surgeon will gather information about your general health and ask you about the extent of your knee pain and your ability to function.
A physical examination to assess knee motion, stability, strength, and overall leg alignment.
X-rays shall determine the extent of damage and deformity in your knee.
Other tests. Occasionally the blood tests, or advanced imaging such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, may be needed to determine the condition of the bone and soft tissues of your knee.
Alternative options including medications, injections, physical therapy, or other types of surgery will also be considered and discussed before your Orthopaedist recommends Total Knee Replacement (TKR).
Total Knee Replacement Procedure
The procedure itself takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. Your orthopaedic surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage and bone, and then position the new metal and plastic implants to restore the alignment and function of your knee.
There are following four basic steps to a Knee Replacement procedure:
- Prepare the bone. The damaged cartilage surfaces at the ends of the femur and tibia are removed along with a small amount of underlying bone.
- Position the metal implants. The removed cartilage and bone is replaced with metal components that recreate the surface of the joint. These metal parts may be cemented or “press-fitted” into the bone.
- Resurface the patella. The undersurface of the patella (knee cap) is cut and resurfaced with a
plastic button. Some surgeons do not resurface the patella, depending upon the case.
- Insert a spacer. A medical-grade plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components to create a smooth gliding surface.
After surgery, you will be moved to the recovery room, where you will remain for several hours while your recovery from anaesthesia is monitored. After you wake up, you will be taken to your hospital room. Medications are often prescribed for short-term pain relief after surgery. Knee Replacements have highest success rate for all ages mostly.
The complication rate following total knee replacement is comparatively low. Serious complications, such as a knee joint infection occur in fewer than 2% of patients. Major medical complications such as heart attack or stroke occur even less frequently while the chronic illnesses may increase the potential for complications. Although uncommon, when these complications occur, they can prolong or limit full recovery. Discuss your concerns with your Orthopedist prior to surgery.
Infection Minor ones in the wound area are generally treated with antibiotics. Major or deep infections may require more surgery and removal of the prosthesis. In addition, any infection in your body can spread to your Joint Replacement. Blood clots, Deep vein thrombosis etc are few other instances to be watched out for.
Implant problems. Although implant designs and materials, as well as surgical techniques, continue to advance, implant surfaces may wear down and the components may loosen. Additionally, although an average of 115° of motion is generally anticipated after surgery, scarring of the knee can occasionally occur, and motion may be more limited, particularly in patients with limited motion before surgery. Continued pain and the Neurovascular injury is rare but not altogether ruled out.
Blood Clot Prevention
Your Orthopaedic Surgeon shall instruct you on certain aspects of Post Surgery precautions against blood clotting and a possible leg swelling through CPM Exercise Machine besides the Physical Therapy.
The success rate of knee replacement your surgery will depend largely on how well you follow your orthopaedic surgeon’s instructions at home during the first few weeks after surgery.
Consult your Doctor Post Surgery if you notice :
- Increasing pain in your calf
- Tenderness or redness above or below your knee
- New or increasing swelling in your calf, ankle, and foot
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Sudden onset of chest pain
- Localised chest pain with coughing
- Persistent fever (higher than 100°F orally)
- Shaking chills
- Increasing redness, tenderness, or swelling of the knee wound
- Drainage from the knee wound
- Increasing knee pain with both activity and rest
A fall during the first few weeks after surgery can damage your new knee and may result in a need for further surgery. Using stair-case is ruled out until your knee is strong and mobile.
Your surgeon and physical therapist will help you decide what assistive aids will be required following surgery and when those can safely be discontinued. See your orthopaedic surgeon periodically for a routine follow-up examination and x-rays, usually once a year.
More than 90% of modern total knee replacements are still functioning well 15 years after the surgery.
Following your orthopaedic surgeon’s instructions after surgery and taking care to protect your knee replacement and your general health are important ways you can contribute to the final success rate of your knee replacement surgery.
With normal use and activity, every knee replacement implant begins to wear in its plastic spacer.
Excessive activity or weight may speed up this normal wear and may cause the knee replacement to loosen and become painful.
With appropriate activity modification, knee replacements can last for many years.
India is becoming the most preferred healthcare destination globally.
The superlative medical treatment provided by the skilled doctors in world-class infrastructure at nearly one third the cost compared to Western Europe, North America and some Southeast Asian countries adds up to India’s credentials.
Every year nearly 1.2 lakh to 1.5 lakh knee replacement surgeries take place in India.
Knee Replacement Surgery in India is performed through cutting- edge clinical solutions, research, extraordinary patient care and infrastructure of world-class standards. Knee Replacement Surgery is a complex surgical exercise and needs highly skilled consultants, ingenious technical staff and advanced technology working with perfect harmony, enormous dedication and team work. India offers a one stop solution for all those seeking critical procedures such as Knee Replacement Surgery.