The surgical procedure to treat the condition of knees is known as knee replacement surgery. The surgery could be done to repair joints and can involve reconstructive methods to treat damaged knees with the use of artificial implants.
Knee replacement surgery is also known as arthroplasty surgery.
Why Is Knee Replacement Surgery Done?
Broken or damaged cartilage in the knee becomes unbearably painful. The knee does not move flexibly, and the bones rub and crush each other instead of just sliding.
When such is the condition, knee surgery is the only best solution to treat the patient so that the pain subsides and the knee joints regain flexibility and mobility.
When Is Knee Replacement Surgery Necessary?
Patients suffering from osteoarthritis – In this condition, knee joints get damaged with age due to normal wear and tear. Mostly, people with age above 50 years experience this condition, but it can also occur in younger people. The primary cause of this type of arthritis is inflammation of the knee joints that breaks the cartilage over time, and the bone starts to rub together.
Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis– This is an inflammatory condition of knees, especially around knee joints. This is a painful condition, where the inflammation eventually leads to cartilage damage.
Patients suffering from post-traumatic arthritis– This is a condition that is caused by a severe knee injury. Injuries lead to broken bones or torn ligaments that ultimately result in pain and swelling.
Who Requires Total Knee Replacement Surgery?
The surgical procedure is not for every patient suffering from knee pain. Some patients get relief with certain medications and pain management therapy. Knee replacement is the last resort option when other solutions do not prove useful.
Knee replacement treatment solves the following issues:
- Long term severe pain that causes knees to become stiff. It prevents one from doing any activity and makes life miserable.
- Moderate but unstoppable pain that constantly bothers even when the legs are at rest.
- Chronic knee inflammation and painful swelling that shows no sign of improvement.
- Deformity in the knee and the knees become visibly arched.
Why Choose Total Knee Replacement Surgery?
Total knee replacement surgery is the method in which the entire knee joint (both sides) is replaced. The surgery duration is generally between 1 and 3 hours. After the surgery, the patient will experience better mobility and less pain.
Patients suffering from severe osteoarthritis have to undergo total knee replacement surgery. But the decision rests upon the doctor and the patient. Only after thorough evaluation, the surgeon would recommend for a total knee replacement.
Some of the tests that help the surgeon to find if your condition requires a knee replacement are MRI, X-rays and blood tests. Along with these, previous medical history is also necessary to help the surgeon better understand the patient’s condition.
Finally, it can be said that before you go for a knee replacement surgery, you need to find the right hospital for the treatment. Also, discuss with your surgeon about the recovery time and post-surgery treatments.