Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee Joint Replacement is a surgical procedure to resurface a knee damaged by arthritis. Knee Replacement is also known as Total Knee Arthroplasty.

•   Rheumatoid Arthritis.
•    Osteoarthritis.
•   Damage to the knee due to injury.
•  &Damage to the knee due to infection.
•   Knee joint replacement recommended when all other first-line options have failed.

•   Medication
•   Weight Loss
•   Physiotherapy

Knee Joint Replacement surgery involves an incision over the lower end of the femur (thighbone) and the upper end of the tibia (shinbone). Once the incision is made, the damaged cartilage is removed along with a small amount of the underlying bone. The removed cartilage replaces with prosthetic components that form the surface of the joint. The prosthesis is attached to the bone with surgical cement.

The patient would either administer general anesthesia or a regional block (spinal or epidural with more localized anesthesia) that numbs legs. In the case of the latter, intravenous medication gives to sedate the patient during the procedure.

Knee Joint Replacement requires a hospital stay of several days. Medications are prescribed to provide immediate pain relief after the anaesthesia wears off. The patient may be prescribed a special support hose, compression boots and blood thinners to prevent blood clots and decrease leg swelling.

Patients generally have to begin exercising their knee a day or two after the surgery. A physical therapist will help the patient learn specific exercises to strengthen the leg and restore knee movement to allow walking and other regular daily activities soon after the surgery.

To restore movement in knee and leg, the surgeon may use knee support that slowly helps the patient to move the knee while still in bed.

The success of your surgery will depend largely on how well the doctor’s instructions are followed at home by the patient in the first few weeks.

The stitches or staples running along the wound will only be removed several weeks after surgery. It is advisable to avoid soaking the wound in water until it has dried. The patient may continue to bandage the wound to prevent any irritation.

Diet:

A balanced diet, often with iron supplements, is essential for the wound to heal and to restore muscle strength.

Exercise:

Physical activity is an integral part of home care, particularly during the first few weeks after surgery. The patient should be able to resume most normal activities of daily living within 3 to 6 weeks post surgery. Some pain during physical activity and at night is common for several weeks after surgery.

The most common complications that are likely to arise with a knee joint replacement are: