What is knee replacement surgery?
Knee Replacement Surgery is a surgical procedure, in which unhealthy or worn-out parts of the knee joint are mainly replaced with specific types of prosthesis. These are the artificial materials that are quite durable in life. The main purpose of this procedure is to relieve the patients from severe knee pain & disability and to improve knee mobility (getting them back to normal knee functions). TKR or total knee replacement is mainly done in patient from osteoarthritis or arthritis resulting from rheumatoid disease or previous knee injuries.
What are the types of knee replacement surgeries?
There are mainly two types of knee replacement surgeries.
- Total Knee Replacement Surgery (TKR)
- Partial Knee Replacement Surgery (PKR)
Both are meant for replacing the damaged knee joint surface with artificial components. They provide pain-free and flexible knee motions.
Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
Often known as Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty OR Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty.
This surgery typically fixes the knee osteoarthritis restricted to only one compartment of knee joint and does not need a complete or total knee joint replacement. The extent of an arthritis into one’s knee will define the limited area to be mainly operated. This modality can be offered to very limited group of patients with ideal indications for this surgery.
Total Knee Replacement Surgery
In TKR, an Orthopedic surgeon will replace all three parts of the knee with metal prosthesis and plastic spacer – End of the femur, tibia and inner surface of the patella. A new knee surface is enhanced for the patient. A wide proportion of patients with knee arthritis can be offered this modality for pain relief and improved mobility.
Who requires total knee replacement surgery?
Total knee replacement surgery (TRK) is usually performed in elderly people with severe knee pain and knee deformities. Whereas, the age is not a bar as there are also many other reasons that may require TKR to perform in one. People with obesity, traumatic injuries and such other reasons (when knee is injured) will also need to undergo this surgery.
Your doctor and you will decide to undergo a surgery, if
- You have a painful, stiff and swollen knee.
- You feel difficulties even in the simplest of routine tasks.
- You have moderate-to-severe pain while walking, climbing the stairs or bending or straightening the knees.
How is total knee replacement surgery performed?
Rugveda Orthopedic Hospital Performs “The Computer-Navigated Fast Track Knee Replacement Surgery”. It is a highly innovative technique offered to the patients at affordable costs.
Benefits of total knee replacement surgery
Total knee replacement is a successful surgery performed over millions of people worldwide. It has truly transformed the lives into big comfort and energy.
Patients of TKR achieves tremendous advantages like,
- A great pain relief.
- Improved knee motions and movements like standing, walking and bending.
- Increased knee strengths.
- Increased walking style and gait pattern.
Total Knee Replacement Recovery
The results of TKR are fantastic. This procedure doesn’t require a long hospitalization. There may be a 3- to 4-day hospital stay. Pain relief is quick and patients would usually not require any help to move sooner after the surgery.
- The patient can start walking on the same day. Climbing of stairs or stick walking is allowed on the 3rd day.
- Due to the minimal invasive (surgical) nature of TKR, the recovery is faster than earlier methods.
- A pain-free physical therapy at home for about two to three weeks.
- Getting back to routine activities within a month.
- A long-run result due to modern technology of prostheses and devices used within world-class medical aids.
