Knee Replacement Surgery: Regaining Mobility and Quality of Life

Most patients experience a reduction or elimination of knee pain, an increased range of motion, and an overall improvement in quality of life. The knee is an articulated joint that includes the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). Knee replacement surgery is one of the most successful orthopedic surgeries performed today. Knee replacement surgery restores the heavy appearance of damaged, worn, or diseased knee joints. Restoring movement and removing discomfort are the main objectives. This article reviews the benefits, procedures, and role of knee replacement implants.

What is Knee Replacement Surgery? 

Knee replacement surgery is a surgical intervention to replace the total or partial knee joint. This is a type of procedure called arthroplasty (joint replacement). The doctor removes the damaged part of the natural knee joint and replaces it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal and plastic.

Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries 

Your doctor may recommend total or partial knee replacement if:

• Total Knee Replacement

A complete knee replacement is the most common type of knee surgery. Your doctor replaces all three parts of the knee joint: the inside (medial), the outside (lateral), and the bottom of the patella (patellofemoral). 

• Partial Knee Replacement

Partial knee replacement is exactly what it sounds like. Your doctor will only replace a partial knee joint if only one or two parts of the knee joint are damaged. Partial knee replacement surgery is more common in young adults who have suffered injury or trauma.

Reasons Why Knee Replacement Surgery is Considered

The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis. Other conditions that can cause knee injuries include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hemophilia Ventilation Knee 
• Wound

Because knee replacement surgery is major surgery, it is usually recommended only if other treatments, such as physical therapy or steroid injections, do not help reduce pain or improve mobility. Surgery to replace your knee may be recommended if:

• There is severe pain, swelling, stiffness in the knee joint, and decreased mobility.
• If you have so excruciating knee pain that it's affecting your sleep and quality of life.
• Everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping or going to the bathroom, are difficult or impossible.
• Unable to work or have a normal social life.

The Role of Knee Replacement Implants

During knee replacement surgery, an orthopedic surgeon uses artificial parts called implants to rebuild the damaged knee. There are different types of implants: 

• A metal cap is placed on the end of the femur (condyle) in the form of a crown of a tooth after the affected articular surface has been removed. This cap is also called the femoral portion (top of the leg). 
• The upper leg replacement platform is usually made of metal alloy and is called the tibia (lower leg) component. At the bottom is a short shaft that attaches to the tibia. 
• Another type is plastic spacer, which is made of polyethylene between the upper and lower legs. This replaces the joint space and meniscus and helps the implant to move. Some implants use fixed bearings, while others use movable bearings that can easily rotate around an axis or slide back and forth.

How is Knee Replacement Surgery Carried Out?

When you arrive at the surgery, you will be asked to remove your clothes and change into a hospital gown. You may be given a spinal blocker that paralyzes your lower body or a general anesthetic that puts you in a sleep-like state. Your surgeon may inject sedatives around the nerves or in and around the joints to prevent pain after surgery.

• An hour to two hours is the average length of a knee replacement treatment. 
• To perform the procedure, the surgeon must make an incision above the knee. 
• Diseased and damaged bone and cartilage are removed while healthy bones remain.
• Replacement parts are implanted in the femur, tibia, and patella.

Recovery and Post-Operative Tips 

After the operation, you will rest for a while in the recovery room. How long you stay in the hospital after surgery will depend on your individual needs. Most people can go home that day.

Blood clots are more likely to occur during knee replacement surgery. To avoid these complications, you may need to:

• Get in early: It is recommended that you get up immediately after surgery and walk using crutches or a walker. 
• Apply pressure: Elastic compression stockings or inflatable sleeves may be worn on the lower legs during and after surgery. Air sleeves compress and release the legs. This helps prevent blood pooling in the leg veins, reducing the risk of clots.
• Take blood thinners: Your doctor may prescribe injectable or oral blood thinners after surgery. Depending on how fast you walk, how active you are, and your risk of blood clots, you may need blood thinners for several weeks after surgery.

You may also be asked to do breathing exercises regularly and gradually increase your activity level. You can learn how to exercise your new knee from your physical therapist. After discharge from the hospital, you can continue physical therapy at home or the center.

Here are some things you can do to make navigating your home safe and easy during your recovery:

• Build your accommodation on one floor as climbing stairs can be difficult. 
• Install safety bars or safety grab bars in the shower or tub. 
• Handrails for safe stairs. 
• Provide a stable seat with a sturdy seat cushion, sturdy backrest, and footrest to elevate your feet. 
• If the toilet is low, buy a toilet lifter with arms. 
• Provide a stable chair or stool for the shower. 
• Remove mats and loose threads.

Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery has several potential benefits. These include:

• Pain relief 
• Improved mobility
• Your quality of life improves as daily activities and exercise become easier. 

Studies have shown that four out of five people who have knee rеplacеmеnt surgery are satisfied with their new knee. Unfortunately, the main cause of dissatisfaction is pеrsistеnt pain that is not duе to surgеry. This risk is greater if there was relatively minor damage to the joint before surgеry (which can still cause serious symptoms). If thе joint damagе is not vеry sеvеrе, it may be better to proceed with non-surgical trеatmеnt than to risk poor results with surgеry.

Conclusion

Knee rеplacеmеnt surgery offers tremendous benefits, helping pеoplе reclaim their lives from chronic pain and limited mobility. If thе pain is sеvеrе, knee rеplacеmеnt surgery can bе lіfе-changing. Knowing how thе surgеry works, thе knее rеplacеmеnt procеss, and the recovery process will help you prepare. Choosing thе bеst knee rеplacеmеnt surgery is essential to ensure thе bеst results. Apollo spеctra is your idеal choice as it offers thе bеst knee rеplacеmеnt surgery with еxpеrt doctors, latеst surgical techniques and excellent post-opеrativе carе. Get ready to live with less pain and more movement!