Total knee replacement is highly successful in relieving pain and restoring joint function. In general, total Knee Replacement is a very safe and effective procedure. However, it is a major operation that is quite invasive.
Frequently asked Questions
Q. What is Total Knee Replacement?
Q. What goes wrong in the knee joint?
Q. When should i have this type of surgery ?
Q. Am i too old for this surgery?
Q. How long do total joint patients typically stay in hospital?
Q. How is patient prepared before the surgery?
Q. What is the specific aftercare in Total Knee replacement surgery?
Q. What kind of activities can patient expect to pursue following joint replacement.?
Q. What are the possible complications of joint replacemnt surgery?
Q. What is done to prevent infections of total joint replacement?
Q. How are the results of the total knee replacement surgery?
Q. What is Total Knee Replacement?
The largest joint in the body, the knee joint is formed where the lower part of the thighbone (femur) joins the uppar part of kneecap (patella). Shock absorbing cartilage covers the surfaces where these three bones touch. In a standard total knee replacement, the damaged area of the thighbone, shinbone and kneecap in knee joint are removed and replaced with prostheses held in place with knee cement.
Q. What goes wrong in the knee joint?
In the knee, the cartilage is a smooth, slippery covering found at the mating surface of the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone) and patella (knee cap). Cartilage can wear in any or all these areas, Osteoarthritis is a wearing of articular cartilage. There are many types of arthritis but osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common. The patient may become bow legged or knock-nkeed.
Q. Would there be any other non-surgical treatment i haven't tried that would ease my pain and help me move more easily?
Your doctors will decide if you are a good candidate for this surgery. Their decision will be based on your medical history, exam and X-rays. Your doctors will ask you to decide if your discomfort, stiffness and disability justify undergoing surgery. There is no harm in waiting to have surgery if conservation, non-operative methods can adequately control your discomfort. If the joint does not respond to conservative treatment such as medicationk, weight loss, activity restriction and use of walking aids such as a cane, joint replacement is considered appropriate, Delaying surgery until a person is older is reasonable as, all man-made things, artificial joints do wear out.
Q. When should i have this type of surgery ?
You should speak to your rheumatologist or orthopedic surgeon about the possibility of joint replacement:
- you are unable to sleep at night because of pain.
- you've tried a series of different medications that doe't help alleviate the pain, or the medication you have been on no longer works.
- you feel that the pain from your arthritis is keeping you away from regular outings, such as visiting friends, going shopping or taking a vacation.
- your activity is restricted to the point where you have trouble getting out of a chair, going up stairs, getting off the toilet, or getting up from the floor.
Q. Am i too old for this surgery?
Age is generally not a problem if you are in reasonable good health and have the desire to continue living a productive, active life.
Q. How long do total joint patients typically stay in hospital?
A patient could typically expect to stay anywhere from 1-2 weeks.
Q. How is patient prepared before the surgery?
Prior to surgery all the standard preoperative blood and urine test are performed and the patient meets the anesthesiologist to discuss any special conditions that effect the administration of anesthesia. Patients receiving general anesthesia should not eat or drink for ten hours prior to operations. Medical problems e.g. blood pressure or heart conditions do not prevent knee replacement surgery but do need to be treated first.
Q. What is the specific aftercare in Total Knee replacement surgery?
You will stay in bed for 12-36 hours after surgery. You will generally be free to move around the bed. You will be encouraged to move your toes, feet and legs to assist curculation and minimize the risk of clot formation. In the case of knee joint replacement, emphasis is placed on quadriceps (thigh muscle) strength and knee bending. We use a CPM (condinuous passive motion) machine which bends and straightens the knee for you. Your physiotherapist will help you and will teach you how to get in and out of bed, and in and out of chair. You will experience moderate pain after surgery. The pain should gradually decrease and by third day after surgery, oral medications may be sufficient to control your pain.
Q. What kind of activities can patient expect to pursue following joint replacement.?
That depends on various factors, including the type of surgery, your health and your recovery. Six weeks following surgery you will be feeling confident and most of the discomfort related to the surgery will have gone. Some people continue to experience discomfort for 6-12 weeks following a knee joint replacement surgery in particular. By 6 weeks you will be able to return to most normal activities.
Q. What are the possible complications of joint replacemnt surgery?
While uncommon, complications can occur during and after surgery. Complications include, but are not limited to infection, blood clots, implant breakage, malalignment and premature wear, any of which can require additional surgery. Infection and blood clots are two of the complications that concern surgeons the most.
Q. What is done to prevent infections of total joint replacement?
Among the most important, known measures to lower the risk of infection after total joint replacement are :
- Antibiotics before and after surgery.
- Short operation time.
- Use of strict sterile techniques and sophicated sterilization techniques.
- Use of short term special nursing care after the surgery.
Q. How are the results of the total knee replacement surgery?
Most who opt for knee joint replacement are generally happy with the results. Ninety percent of those who have knee replacement report fast pain relief, improved mobility and better quality of life, according to a panel of independent experts. Overall, total knee replacement surgery is a safe, very sucessful and relatively low-risk treatment for decreasing pain and increasing mobility in people who are not helped by non-surgical treatments. Follow-up studies showed that revision surgery was needed in 10 percent of knee replacement after 10 years and in 20 percent after 20 years.
Orthopedician
Dr. R.R.Saggar M.S. (Ortho) F.A.S.I.F. (Germany)
Mob : +91-98140 22540, 5074740
Email : rrsaggar12@rediffmail.com
Patel Hospital Pvt. Ltd
Civil Lines, Jalandhar, Pb
Help line : +91-181-3041000
Email : care@patelhospital.com
