All about Knee Replacement and its treatment
Overview
Knee replacement surgery is a procedure that aids in relieving pain in diseased knee joints. The procedure also restores functionality in a worn or damaged knee. Osteoarthritis remains the leading reason for knee replacement. Other reasons include rheumatoid arthritis, knee deformity, and knee injury. Your doctor will first try steroid injections or physiotherapy and will only suggest surgery as a last resort. These causes trigger progressive stuffiness and pain to the point where your daily functionality is greatly affected. Before reaching a decision to undergo knee replacement surgery, it is important that you have an appointment with your orthopedic surgeon. He or she will explain to you the benefits associated with this procedure, along with the associated risks and complications.
During the procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will cut away the diseased, worn-out, or damaged cartilage and bones from the knee and replace these with an artificial joint. Knee replacement surgery is a common operation among individuals aged between 60 and 80. However, it can also be done on people from other age groups. Some of the materials that your surgeons can use for the artificial joint or prosthesis include high-grade plastics and metal alloys. Your surgeon may also elect to use polymers as a prosthesis.
In establishing whether you need to undergo a knee replacement, your orthopedic surgeon will have to first assess the strength and stability of your knee. He or she will also be interested in assessing the range of motions of your knee. Besides the physical examination, your surgeon will also need to order -X-rays to establishing the extent of the damage.
Reasons for knee replacement
Knee replacement surgery is aimed at treating the pain and disability in your knee. You may need knee replacement surgery as a result of the following conditions:
- Osteoarthritis
This is by far the most common condition that necessitates knee replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis causes mainly affect individuals aged 50 and above. However, cases of osteoarthritis have also been reported in younger people as well. The condition leads to the softening and wearing away of the cartilage that holds your knee bones in place. This causes the bones to rub against one another thereby leading to stiffness and pain. Other symptoms of osteoarthritis include limited motion and in extreme cases, it can lead to deformity. With osteoarthritis, the pain worsens after you put weight on your knee. This happens while squatting, climbing stairs, or taking part in sporting activities.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This is a chronic condition that results in the thickening and inflammation of the synovial membrane surrounding your joints. The cartilage around such joints could get damaged due to chronic inflammation. Ultimately, chronic inflammation can lead to pain, stiffness, and cartilage loss.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: After a serious knee injury, you are likely to experience post-traumatic arthritis. In case the bones in your knee or the ligaments have a tear, the articular cartilage could get damaged, with time. Consequently, this will result in a painful knee, not to mention your knee functionality is also limited.
Other causes include:
- Deformities: If you have Consequently “knock-knees” or bowed legs, you may need to undergo surgery to have the position of your knee restored
- Gout
- Disorders that lead to unusual bone growth
Who requires knee replacement surgery?
Considering that knee replacement surgery constitutes a major surgical procedure. It is, therefore, associated with certain risks and potential complications. Your doctors will first exhaust all the other alternatives, including medication, steroid injection, or physiotherapy to minimize pain and enhance mobility, before recommending surgery.
You may need knee replacement surgery in case:
- You are experiencing severe swelling and pain in your knee joint that may also be stiff. Such stiffness and pain should also cause reduced mobility
- You are under such severe pain that the quality of your sleep and life is greatly compromised
- You find it increasingly impossible or extremely hard to carry out daily activities, including taking a shower or shopping
- The loss of mobility and pain makes you feel depressed
- The stiffness, severe pain, and inflammation makes it difficult for you to have a social life or go to work
Preparing for surgery
Once you and your orthopedic surgeon have decided that a total knee replacement surgery is the most effective procedure to treat the pain and inflammation on your knee, he or she will make arrangements for a complete physical examination. This takes place a few weeks before the procedure. The aim of such examination is to ascertain that you are in good health to undergo the procedure and also make a full recovery.
Assessment before surgery
Your orthopedic surgeon will usually conduct a detailed evaluation to establish whether you are fit for the procedure. The evaluation also enables him or her to assess the extent of the damage to your knee and therefore, identify the most suitable surgical procedure.
The orthopedic evaluation would entail the following components:
- Medical history: Your orthopedic surgeon will be interested in your medical history for several reasons. First, your general health acts as a useful indicator of some of the predisposing factors for severe knee damage. Secondly, your medical history would reveal whether you have any bleeding disorder that can lead to complications during or post-surgery. In such a case, the surgeon may initiate a pre-surgery procedure to overcome such a risk. Finally, the medical history enables your orthopedic surgeon to assess the functionality of your knee and the extent of inflammation and pain
- Physical examination: Your orthopedic surgeon will assess your knee to establish stability and knee motions. The physical examination also allows your surgeon to determine the leg’s overall alignment and strength
- X-rays: Your orthopedic surgeon may also order X-rays. The X-ray images allow the surgeon to establish the extent of deformity and damage to your knee.
Your orthopedic surgeon may also deem it necessary to order additional tests, including CT and MRI scans. These will give clearer images of the soft tissues and bone of the knee.
Once the results of your assessment are out, your orthopedic surgeon will review them with you. During this review, your surgeon will explore whether you require a total knee replacement alongside other treatment options such as injection, medication, and physical therapy. The orthopedic surgeon will also explore other forms of surgery, including laser surgery.
Your orthopedic surgeon will take you through the surgical procedure and what you can expect. He or she will examine the likely risks and complications that may accompany knee replacement surgery. Such a discussion is important because you get an opportunity to ask any questions or seek clarification. More importantly, it means that you will go to the surgical table with realistic expectations.
If you are on any medication or are allergic to certain medications, this would be a good time to notify your doctor.
The surgeon will request you to fast for about 8 hours prior to the surgery.
We will make arrangements to have you picked from home in our hospital van several hours before the procedure. Our medical experts will assist you in filling out any paperwork before surgery, including guiding you in signing the consent form.
The actual surgery
You may get admitted to the hospital on the day the surgery is scheduled. The surgery will take about 1-2 hours and you could be allowed to go home on the same day. Your surgeon should be in a position to make those arrangements with you before the surgery
- The procedure is normally carried out under general anesthesia administered by an anesthetist
- The nurse will request that you remove your home clothes and wear a hospital gown
- They will inject an intravenous (IV) line either on your hand or arm
- The surgical team will make sure you are properly positioned and comfortable on the operating table
- It may be necessary to insert a urinary catheter
- Your anesthesiologist will keep monitoring your vitals, such as breathing rate, heart rate and oxygen level as the procedure is ongoing
- An antiseptic solution is used to cleanse the skin around the site for surgery
- Your orthopedic surgeon makes an incision in your affected knee
- He or she will identify the damaged bone and cartilage and remove them. They are then replaced with prostheses.
The prosthesis consists of 3 parts:
- A part that resurfaces the shin bone is called the tibial component
- A part that will resurface your thighbone end is called the femoral component; and
- A part that resurfaces the bottom part of your kneecap is known as the patellar component
A cemented prosthesis is commonly used for this procedure.
Once this is done, your surgeon will then use surgical staples or stitches to close down the incision
Next, the surgeon will place a drain in the site of the incision. The purpose of such a drain is to aid in the removal of fluid
Finally, the surgeon will apply a sterile dressing or bandage
Laser arthroscopic knee surgery
This technique has been in use for more than 50 years. It may be a preference for treating a damaged knee. However, it is never a replacement for total knee replacement surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon is best placed to advise you on this procedure, based on the outcome of his or her assessment of your diseased knee.
The procedure is associated with the following benefits:
- The damage caused to the collateral tissues is minimal
- Tissue debris is also minimal
- It helps to correct inflammation on your knee
- The procedure takes a shorter time to administer and is minimally invasive
- Recovery from laser surgery is quicker
- The technique promotes tissue regrowth
- Laser surgery results in increased circulation of blood in the knee
Are there any risks of knee replacement surgery?
Like all other surgical procedures, knee replacement surgery can also lead to complications. Some of the likely complications include:
- Infection: You may develop an infection around the prosthesis or in the wound. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat minor wound infections. In case of deep or major infection, it may be necessary to replace the prosthesis. For this, you would have to undergo another surgical procedure
- Blood clots: You are likely to develop blood clots in one of your deep veins. It is important to deal with such blood clots immediately because they can be life-threatening, especially if a blood clot breaks and moves to your lungs or heart. Your doctor will prescribe blood-thinning medication. Support stockings are also helpful. You are also encouraged to engage in light leg exercises as these will promote blood circulation
Other risks include:
- Stiffness in the knee
- Nerve damage or damage to the ligament adjacent to your knee joint
- Pain in the knee that is persistent even after medication
- Bone breakage near the area of knee replacement
In certain instances, a surgical procedure may not yield complete stability of your knee. In such an instance, your surgeon may recommend further surgery to try and correct this anomaly.
Post-op care
Once the surgery is completed, the surgical team takes you to a recovery room. Here, the surgical team will continue to monitor your progress. If the surgery was a total replacement, you may have to remain in the hospital for several days. Our physical therapist will discuss with you an exercise program to get you walking again. Your orthopedic surgeon will examine you one more time and depending on the progress, you may be allowed to go home. We will make arrangements to have you driven back home in one of our hospital vans. You also benefit from ongoing physical therapy while as you recover at home.
You will be advised to ensure the surgical area remains dry and clean. Your surgeon will issue specific bathing instructions. He or she will also arrange for a follow-up visit, at the clinic. This is the time when the surgeon will remove the surgical staples or stitches. It is recommended to apply ice to your knee as a means of reducing swelling. Elevating your leg is also helpful.
Your doctor may also recommend pain killers to relieve soreness. Do not take any medication that has not been recommended by your doctor as certain medications like aspirin can cause bleeding.
In case of the following, make sure to call your doctor immediately:
- Fever
- Severe pain near the site of incision even after taking painkillers
- Swelling, bleeding, or redness on the incision site
Your knee has a protective layer known as the meniscus. This is soft cartilage that absorbs shock as you move, thereby acting as a cushion. However, injuries to the knee, an inflamed knee joint due to arthritis or other diseases, may damage the meniscus. When this happens, you experience difficulties in undertaking your daily activities. This is because the knee gets inflamed and it can turn out to be a very painful experience. Home remedies rarely help to relieve such pain and as such, your doctor will most likely recommend surgery.
Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery in Bangalore
- Cost-effective surgery
- State-of-the-art medical facilities
- Highly proficient doctors
- Transport facilities before and after the surgery
- High success rate
Why choose goficure for knee replacement surgery in Bangalore?
At goficure, we have a team of highly specialized doctors in Bangalore with decades of experience under their belt in performing knee surgery. Our surgeons are also highly experienced in performing advanced laser surgery to treat a diseased knee. Laser knee replacement treatment is preferred over open surgery because it is minimally invasive, there is no bleeding involved, and the recovery period is shorter. Besides, the risk for infection is greatly reduced. Goficure is your one-stop shop for safe and quick knee replacement treatment in Bangalore. We will take care of everything so that you are at ease while undergoing the procedure. We make arrangements to have you picked from home and prepare you for surgery. We will also make arrangements with various specialty hospitals in Bangalore where you will undergo the procedure. After surgery, we will also drive you back home and assist in getting your insurance claimed. Our post-op consultation is among the most elaborate and heavily discounted in Bangalore. We also liaise with leading nutritionists and physiotherapists in Bangalore to help you with a personalized diet plan and physical exercise for faster healing.
Exclusive features you get with goficure
1. Dedicated Medi-Pal
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to you. Your Medi-Pal will be your one point contact throughout the treatment and post-op period. They will always be available for you
2. Quick doctor’s appointments
After understanding your concerns, your Medi-Pal will schedule your consultation with a specialist doctor. Your doctor will carry out necessary tests and advise the course of treatment
3. Hassle-free treatment
If you opt to get the surgery done, goficure will take care of it completely. Right from booking your surgery, claiming your insurance to being with you throughout the procedure, your Medi-Pal will do it all
4. Post-op recovery support
Your Medi-Pal would ensure quick recovery. This includes booking your follow up consultations and helping you with doctor-recommended steps for diet & exercise
Guarantees
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Why Goficure?
Specialist doctors
Our doctors are vetted for their experience and skills. Rest assured, you are in safe hands. The best treatment for your condition is delivered all the time
Medi-Pal assistance
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to take care of the entire process. This includes booking your appointments, scheduling the surgery, handling your documentation including claiming insurance, discharge, and post-op recovery
Affordability
Goficure delivers high-quality treatment to you at affordable prices. Superior treatment and best quality of service is assured while keeping costs reasonable
Post procedure care and follow-ups
Our engagement doesn't end after your surgery. It continue until you go back to your normal life. Free diet and exercise consultations during your recovery phase are offered to ensure a quick recovery
Comparison
With so many options, are you wondering what the right choice for your condition is? While you can opt for either an open surgery or a laser surgery, numerous studies have shown that laser surgeries are far more effective. Be it the duration of the procedure, post-operative pain or recovery time, laser surgeries always outrank open surgeries and are therefore, a better choice. Here is a quick comparison that will help you decide your course of action.
What you don’t undergo with goficure
1. Long waiting lines
2. Lack of personalized attention
3. Excessive billing/hidden charges
4. Running around for your treatment
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