Total Knee Replacement: Complications & Benefits

What is Total Knee Replacement?

In a total knee replacement surgery, the diseased or destructed knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint. Using plastic and metal components, a surgeon creates a prosthesis to replace your knee.

Before surgery, the patient goes through an intensive diagnosis and evaluation process. Doctors consider various factors such as the health of knee joints, the patient's medications, pre-existing and genetic medical conditions, body vitals, the lifestyle of the patient, to see whether the patient is suitable for total knee replacement surgery.

Physical therapy plays an important role in the rehabilitation process after total knee replacement. The patient can begin physiotherapy as early as 48 hours after the procedure.

When Should You Opt For Total Knee Replacement?

Many a time, doctors recommend physical therapy and medication for knee problems. When the problem gets out of hand, total knee replacement is the only option. Doctors recommend the surgery when your knee is in bad shape and prevents you from doing the most basic activities. You can opt for the surgery when your knee is bowed, swollen or causing you constant pain, thereby impacting your quality of life. Individuals with destroyed knee joints and osteoarthritis are also recommended total knee replacement.

Total Knee Replacement Benefits

The benefits are many as the procedure can help you live the life you used to before your knee problems took over. It helps reduce, resolve, the pain and stiffness in your knee that caused due to disease, degeneration or injury. While you may require a caregiver for some time after the surgery while your body heals, with physiotherapy, you can learn to be independent again. Total knee replacement benefits include gaining back your mobility, thereby improving your quality of life immensely. Also, many people suffering from severe knee problems may face mental health issues due to the constraints on their lifestyle. The benefits also include prevention of mental health issues that may occur due to your condition.

Total Knee Replacement Complications

One of the potential complications is the pulmonary embolism, where blood clots in the legs travel to the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath, chest pain and even shock. Other complications include nausea and vomiting. Some people experience chronic knee pain and stiffness for a long time after the surgery. Patients and their caregivers should be careful about infections. They could be in the form of knee infections or urinary tract infections. However, less than 2% of total knee replacements result in any serious or long-lasting total knee replacement complications.

Now that you know the various benefits and the relatively few complications, if you’ve been facing chronic severe stiffness or pain in your knee, make sure you consult an orthopaedic at a leading hospital like Apollo Spectra Hospitals to get the best diagnosis. Total knee replacement surgery, if done by a good team of medical experts, can benefit you immensely. Apollo Spectra’s world-class infrastructure, latest technology and experienced professionals will be able to make the total knee replacement procedure as smooth as possible for you, ensuring that you get the best treatment and care, and reducing the chances of complications.