What Is Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement, is a surgical procedure to repair a knee joint that has been damaged by arthritis.

 

Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement, is a surgical procedure to repair a knee joint that has been damaged by arthritis. Metal and plastic parts are used to cover the ends of the bones that make up the Visit us today as well as the kneecap. This procedure may be considered for people with severe arthritis or severe knee damage.

 

Various types of arthritis can affect the knee joint. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that mainly affects middle-aged and elderly people and may lead to breakdown of the knee cartilage and adjacent bones. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation of the synovial membrane and lead to excess synovial fluid, which can lead to pain and stiffness. Traumatic arthritis, arthritis caused by injury, may lead to damage to the cartilage of the knee.

 

The goal of knee replacement surgery is to resurface the damaged knee area and to relieve knee pain that cannot be controlled by other treatments.

 

Knee replacement surgery is a treatment for knee pain and disability. The most common condition that leads to the need for knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis.

 

Single Axis Prosthetic Knee Joint

Osteoarthritis is characterised by the destruction of joint cartilage. Damage to the cartilage and bone can limit movement and may lead to pain. People with severe degenerative joint disease may not be able to perform normal activities that involve bending the knee, such as walking or climbing stairs, because they are painful. The knee may swell or 'give way' due to joint instability.

 

Other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis caused by knee injuries, can also lead to degeneration of the knee joint. In addition, fractures, torn cartilage and/or torn ligaments can cause irreversible damage to the knee joint.

 

If medication is not effective, knee replacement surgery may be an effective treatment. Some pharmacological treatments for degenerative joint disease may include, but are not limited to, the following.

 

anti-inflammatory drugs

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate

Painkillers

Activities that limit pain

Walking aids (e.g. crutches)

Physiotherapy

Cortisone injections in the knee joint

Viscosupplementation injections (adding lubricant to the joint to reduce pain during joint movement)

 

Weight loss (for obese people)

There may be other reasons why your doctor may recommend knee replacement surgery.

 

Four-Bar Pneumatic Knee Joint

What are the risks of not having surgery?

Osteoarthritis of the knee affects the biomechanics of the joint and increases the risk of falls, knee bone damage and other wear and tear injuries.

 

Risk of falls

Falls can lead to life-changing injuries, especially as we age. Knee replacement surgery may be recommended if symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include the feeling that the affected knee may buckle, or if there are other risk factors for falls.

 

Risk of Bone Damage

Moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis can lead to bone damage. Bone damage can reduce the likelihood of successful knee replacement surgery.

 

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a progressive degenerative disease, which means that joint damage can worsen over time. As the cartilage in the knee wears down, friction occurs between the bottom of the femur (thigh bone) and the top of the tibia (shin bone). Over time, the friction can lead to bone damage.

 

There is no foolproof way to predict whether and how quickly bone tissue will be damaged. However, medical imaging can assess the current bone health of the knee joint.

 

Risk of joint problems

Arthritic knee degeneration can lead to changes in the biomechanics of the knee joint, which in turn increases the risk of other joint problems. For example, hip problems may develop over time when knee pain causes conscious or unconscious changes in gait.

 

A doctor or physiotherapist can assess the biomechanics of the knee and help identify other existing or potential joint problems.