The knee joint is considered to be one of the largest hinge joints of the body, and when there is an issue with this joint like any physical injury, arthritis or any other disease, and medications don’t work, knee replacement surgery is opted for. In this article, we have put up some important things about knee replacement surgery that you should know.
When is the surgery needed?
Arthroplasty, also known as knee replacement surgery is suggested by doctors in a situation where your knee joint is either damaged or is worn out. Following are some of the cases where you might require it:
- If you have a severe knee pain that bothers your routine life
- Stiffness and swelling affecting your movement and ability to work
- If other treatments like physiotherapy have failed to cure the above two symptoms.
What happens in this surgery?
In this surgery, replacement of damaged, worn-out or diseased cartilage and bone in the knee joint takes place, the damaged bone and cartilage is replaced with a metal or plastic made artificial joint. This artificial joint helps in facilitating smooth movement as a natural joint and eliminates the paint. The kind of knee replacement varies from person to person depending upon how damaged particular knee is. Total knee replacement involving replacement of both sides of kidney joint are extensively common. Partial Knee Replacement involves partial removal of your knee bone.
In this surgery after moving kneecap aside, the worn ends of the bones are removed and plastic and metal prosthesis are fitted with precision. A special cement is used to keep the artificial joint in place, often the bone surface is made rough to achieve a better fusion of prosthesis.
What are its benefits?
The possible advantages of this surgery include:
- You get freedom from knee pain
- Improved ability to work
- You get to enjoy a normal life without any discomforts or pain
Research shows that four in five people going for surgery are living a satisfied life after it.
What are some risks involved?
The risks exist for any surgery, this one is no different some of the rare complications that can occur include:
- Infection in the surgical wound
- Bleeding of the knee joint at the surgical site
- Damage to ligament, nerve or artery damage at the site of surgery.
- Instability in the replaced knee joint and a need to correct it using surgery
- Rare chances of reactions to anaesthesia
- Blood clots
You must discuss all the possible chances of complications with your surgeon before going for surgery.
What is revision knee replacement surgery?
A replacement surgery can sustain and give you relief from pain for a long time, but not forever. When the artificial knee gets worn out, the symptoms start to reappear and a patient feels difficulty in performing routine activities. In such cases, a revision surgery is performed that replaces worn-out the artificial knee with a new set of artificial knees. The earlier you have been through first knee replacement the greater are the chances that you would require a revision knee replacement surgery.
What about the treatment costs?
The treatment cost for knee replacement varies from country to country and hospital to hospital, but usually, it is a hefty sum considering the complicated nature of the surgery and the accuracy needed. However, there are some countries where the low cost of living makes this treatment quite affordable. India is one of these countries; you get some of the best knee replacement hospitals in India which are proficient in performing such surgeries. Knee surgery hospitals in India are equipped with experienced doctors qualified enough to handle any possible complications that may arise.
