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Total knee replacement surgery is a procedure performed to replace a knee damaged due to arthritis, an accident or a medical condition. A manmade knee joint (Metal) is used to replace the affected knee joint along with the kneecap.
Who needs the surgery?
This surgery is recommended for people who have severe arthritis or a serious knee injury due to an accident. Several types of arthritis are also responsible for knee degeneration. Osteoarthritis, a disease that affects mostly older and middle-aged persons, can cause the breakdown of joint cartilage and adjacent bones in the knees. Rheumatoid arthritis, which may cause inflammation of the synovial membrane and produces excessive synovial fluid, can cause pain and joint stiffness. Traumatic arthritis, which is caused due to an accident or any traumatic condition, may also cause knee damage.
Basically, a knee replacement procedure is recommended for people who:
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Feel severe pain in limbs and joints and are not able to perform routine activities because of the pain
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Feel continuous knee pain which doesn’t reduce even after nerve or any other treatment
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Are unable to walk without external support
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Precautions to be taken before surgery
Two weeks prior to the surgery, the patient may be asked to stop or reduce their dosage of drugs like blood thinners and medicines that can enable faster blood loss. If the patient has any diseases like diabetes, heart disease or other medical conditions, they may be asked by the surgeon to consult a specialist doctor and get their approval for surgery. The patient should stop or limit their alcohol intake one week before surgery. The patient should also stop smoking as smoking will slow down wound and bone healing and intimate the surgeon if they are suffering from any cold, flu, fever or any other illness before the procedure.
Furthermore, the patient will be advised to set up their home accordingly to reduce inconvenience after surgery and not to take any food or liquids six hours prior to the procedure.
Precautions to be Taken After Surgery
The patient will be asked to stay at the hospital for one or two days after the surgery. They will also be asked to walk or move around the day after the surgery. Full recovery may take around 4 to 6 weeks. Some patients are advised to book a short stay at a rehabilitation centre. In such a centre, the patient will be given tips to do self-care and perform day-to-day activities safely with minimal external support. Physiotherapy will be required to accelerate the recovery process. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact orthopedician in Vijayawada at Manipal Hospitals.
Summary
A total knee replacement surgery in Vijayawada at Manipal Hospital usually yields successful outcomes. Most of the people who undergo this surgery walk without any external support within a very short period of time. Most of the replaced artificial knee joints will sustain in 10-15 years and some may last for as long as 20 years. Once the replaced joints become loose, they have to be replaced again. This procedure can be performed for a second time. The patient is advised to visit a orthopedics hospital in Vijayawada for a medical check-up once a year after the surgery.
Senior Consultant - Orthopedics, Joint Replacement & Trauma Surgeon
Manipal Hospitals, Vijayawada
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