Knee Joint Replacement
A person can suffer from knee joint pain due to an injury or age related knee degeneration due to osteo arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. When a person experiences pain in the knee which restricts the daily activities, knee needs to be thoroughly evaluated by an orthopaedician to diagnose and plan the management of arthritis based on the stage.
Know about Knee Joint Replacement:
Knee Joint Replacement or TKR(Total Knee Replacement) is usually the final alternative advised for a degenerated or injured knee. It is a surgical procedure performed to replace the worn out part of the joint with a metal prosthesis and helps to restore the knee functions.
The degenerated or worn out part of the knee which is usually caused due to osteo arthritis – The most common cause or post traumatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis is replaced with metal caps on either side of the joint and a spacer in between the components which helps to regain normal range of movement and pain free joint.
Who needs knee joint replacement and how is it beneficial?
It is benefited for the people who experience difficulties in performing day to day activities of life.
- Pain and stiffness while climbing stairs, getting up from a chair or to walk.
- Knee deformities due to which arching of the knee either inside or outside becomes troublesome.
- Trouble in performing simple daily activities decrease the quality of life.
- Inability to carry out daily activities at home and social activities may also impact psychologically causing depression.
Causes of knee pain
Osteo Arthritis:
It is a condition caused by progressive degeneration of the cartilage reducing the cushion affect of the joint there by exposing the bone ends and become rough and irregular.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint inflammation and swelling as well as damage to the cartilage and makes the bone osteoporotic and early degeneration of the ligaments causing instability.
Know more about Pre-operative, surgery and post operative involved for knee joint replacement
Pre-operative:
Patient needs to get assessed for complete health and consult the anesthetist before the surgery
Your doctor advises for the following tests
- Major Surgical Profile
- Cardiac screening
- Pre Anesthetic checckup
Along with the test reports, patient needs to give information regarding medication for any kind of health issues patient is experiencing. In case of few medication like blood thinners, patient might have to stop taking them prior to the surgery.
Surgery:
The patient is advised not to take anything by mouth 6 hours prior to the surgery.The surgical procedure takes around one hour. A cut is made above the knee and the degenerated cartilage and bone is removed, Prosthesis is attached to the tibia and femur, the main bone of the lower leg. After the components are fixed , the alignment, knee range of movement, stability in flexion and extension is thoroughly checked.
Post-operative:
The patient can have normal diet, the pain is managed with the help anti inflammatory medication.The patient is made to walk the very next day , also physiotherapy is advised on the same day so that it promotes the blood flow to the new tissues and facilitates in faster recovery.The stay at hospital post surgery usually lasts for 3-4 days.
Patient will be prescribed antiinflammatory medication for pain relief for a week and thereafter physiotherapy for couple of months . Patient can walk without support in 2 weeks.