Knee joint replacement surgery is a very effective treatment that helps severe arthritis conditions and enables patients to walk easily without pain. The cartilage around the knee joints gets damaged due to wear and tear, illness or knee injury. This resists the knee bones to function normally. When knee joints swell and pain increases, it is time to see a knee replacement surgeon and get the surgery done.
What Is Knee Joint Replacement Surgery?
In knee joint replacement surgery the surgeon treats the damaged cartilage and bone by taking them out of the knee and replacing them with an implant or artificial joint. This treatment procedure is also known as knee arthroplasty.
Why Do You Need A Knee Replacement Surgery?
Patients of arthritis need to undergo knee replacement surgery. Common arthritis is osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis because of an injury. Depending upon the condition of a patient, the doctor recommends a suitable type of knee replacement treatment. Patients suffering from arthritis experience pain, swelling of the knee joints and stiffness of the knees.
Common Symptoms Of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis- In this condition the cartilage that cushions the knee joints wear away. This happens due to normal wear and tear with age. As the cartilage wears away the bones start to rub against each other, making the knees swollen and extremely painful. This condition is common in people over the age of 50.
Rheumatoid Arthritis– This is a chronic illness in which the immunity power of the body attacks the joints that causes pain and swelling. This condition tends to prevail in both the knees and can also affect hands and wrists.
Post-injury Arthritis– In this condition the arthritis symptoms start after getting an injury. If after an injury the bones break or the ligaments tear, it can lead to cartilage damage over time, causing pain and swelling.
Types of Knee Replacement surgery
There are three most common types of knee replacement surgeries. These are:
- Total Knee Replacement Surgery- In this method, the surgeon removes the entire knee joint and replaces them with an artificial implant. Total knee replacement is the most common type of surgery done.
- Partial Knee Replacement Surgery- In this method, the surgeon replaces either the medial or lateral compartments of the knee joints and replaces them with artificial implants.
- Complex or Revision Knee Replacement Surgery- In this method, the surgeon has to operate and remove the previous implant that has grown into a bone. This is a corrective procedure that is done to revise the previous surgery.
Who Should Go For Knee Replacement Surgery?
If other forms of arthritis treatments do not work, knee replacement surgery may be helpful. You may undergo knee surgery if you are suffering from the following:
- You cannot walk properly or trouble walking even after continuous alternate methods of treatment.
- Your knees are bent or bowed in.
- Severe pain that does not stop even when you are resting.
Finally, it can be said that knee replacement is a very reliable method of arthritis treatment. To make the most of your knees post-surgery, you need to follow the doctor’s advice correctly. For fast recovery, doctors may recommend physiotherapy treatment.