A knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty is a surgery that replaces all or some portions of your worn-out knee joint.
A knee replacement surgery is recommended if your knee has been heavily damaged due to an illness or injury and you are suffering from severe pain or stiffness that affects your daily living.
Surgery is only recommended when non-surgical treatments like medications are no longer working to alleviate the symptoms.
A knee replacement is a surgical procedure performed to remove or replace all or some parts of the damaged natural knee joint with a metal or plastic artificial knee joint (prosthesis).
Knee replacement is a very common procedure and is mostly done to treat advanced knee arthritis like osteoarthritis when the knee cartilage is worn away and the surface becomes uneven. It is also performed when the knee has weakened due to some injury or trauma.
Knee replacement surgery types include:
A total knee replacement or total knee arthroplasty is one of the most common types of knee replacement surgery.
It is generally recommended when the knee is highly damaged in multiple areas due to advanced arthritis and other treatments have been ineffective.
Partial knee replacement or partial knee arthroplasty is performed to resurface only parts of the knee.
It can replace one or two areas of the knee due to symptomatic arthritis. The procedure is also common in young adults who have damaged their knees due to some injury or trauma.
This surgery is done when you have had previous knee replacements in the same knee and the old implants are worn out. This is done in case of severe arthritis, severe bone degeneration, weakness of the knee ligaments, or knee bone deformity. It replaces the old worn-out implants with new ones.
This surgery is performed in isolated areas where the cartilage has been worn out due to some severe injury. The damaged cartilage is replaced with living cartilage grafts that grow into new cartilage.
Before a knee replacement surgery, your healthcare provider will perform the following tests and exams:
The doctor will ask for details regarding your medical history and if you are on any medications, supplements, etc.
The surgeon can suggest a minimally invasive procedure or an open surgery. The key difference is that the incision involves a smaller cut in a minimally invasive procedure and recovery is faster.
Basic steps to perform the surgery:
Don't just jump into a surgery because your doctor is advising you to go for it. Consult our doctors to know if you need a surgery at all. Rest assured, we WON'T recommend you surgery unless it's the last resort.
Knee replacement surgery recovery time may take four to six months or even a year. The recovery time depends on your age, the type of surgery, and your overall health. Recovery time after a partial knee replacement is shorter than a total knee replacement surgery.
Doctors do not recommend any bed rest after a knee replacement surgery. You will be encouraged to start moving within a day with the help of a walking aid like a walker. You will be asked to perform physical therapy exercises to gain full range of motion and mobility.
After the surgery, you will be hospitalized for one to three days depending on your response to the rehabilitation.
Though there will be some pain and discomfort, the doctor, nurses, and physical therapist (PT) will encourage you to start ambulation after a day of the surgery with the help of a walking aid.
At home, you have to take your iron supplements for muscle building and other medications like pain relievers for easy recovery.
Carry out the exercises as advised for gaining mobility.
Do not soak the wound before it is completely healed to avoid risks of infection.
Follow instructions regarding taking a shower after the surgery. If waterproof dressings are used, you may take a shower within a day, otherwise, you have to wait for a few days.
Take the help of a mobility aid like a walker, a secure handrail, a nonslip stable table or chair, etc. for walking or climbing stairs.
Use a raised toilet seat and hold on to a secure platform for support while sitting or getting up from the toilet seat.
After three to four months you will experience less discomfort in your knee and will be able to perform most of your activities.
Knee replacement surgery is a major surgery and you must make an informed decision and understand the benefits and risks of the procedure before undergoing the surgery. Consult with your doctor and get complete information about the procedure. Recovery from the surgery may also take several months and even a year. Be prepared to take proper care of yourself at home for a smooth recovery and early return to normal activities.
