Knee Replacement
Knee replacement or Total knee is the orthopedic operation in which a diseased, worn or injured knee joint is replaced by an artificial joint. Knee replacements are now a routine operation, most commonly performed due to knee arthritis. It is an established, generally accepted medical intervention with predictable results from skilled orthopedic surgeons.
Two main forms of replacement knee are performed: a whole or total knee replacement if the joint damage is widespread and a partial knee replacement if the joint damage is confined to one side of another of the joint.
As with hip replacement, knee replacements have a limited life span but can last from 15 to 20 years if they are well looked after and not put under undue physical stresses and strains. Revision knee replacement, where the surgery is done again for a problem or due to the joint reaching the end of its life, is a longer and more complex surgical matter than initial replacement and in general people are less pleased with their new knee each time it is redone.
Reasons for Having a Knee Replacement
Knee replacement is a major operation with all the risks and complications which go with such knee surgery. You may feel you need a knee replacement if you have these difficulties:
- You have severe knee pain which interferes with the quality of your life
- Your knee pain interferes with your sleep
- Rehab Resource Inc and medication has not been effective or caused side effects
- You have having increasing difficulty with everyday tasks such as going shopping or self care
- The pain and loss of mobility are making you feel down and depressed
- You are unable to have a reasonable social life or to work.
The knee is a large hinge joint and is made up of two joints overall. The much larger joint is the true knee joint between the rounded bottom end of the thigh bone and the flattened top of the shin bone, the smaller one being between the rounded bottom end of the thigh bone again and the back of the kneecap.
A firm, slippery and low friction material called articular cartilage or joint cartilage covers the surfaces of the joint and along with the fluid secreted by the lining membrane allows the easy movement of a joint even when it is loaded.
As the cartilage becomes worn or damaged the free and easy movement is lost and in severe cases the underlying bone is exposed and grates against the other side of the joint, causing pain and disability. Osteoarthritis is the commonest cause of this problem and the most common reason for performing knee replacement.
Knee Replacement Procedure
If you are planning on having a total knee replacement surgery you can read a short description of the knee replacement operation here. Depending on the type of clinical problem the orthopedic surgeon finds, he or she can choose from various types of knee replacement surgery, with the main decision being between total knee replacement which replaces the entire articulating surface of the knee joint and kneecap and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (partial knee replacement).
Knee Surgery Rehab
Unlike hip replacement, knee replacement demands a lot in terms of effort and you have to put up with more pain and swelling, do far more exercising for far longer and it may take three months or so for the knee to settle down. This means that it is important to prepare for knee replacement surgery, for instance by seeing the physiotherapist so your knee can be assessed and advice and exercises given. Find out what rehabilitation and knee replacement exercises you need to do.