Total Knee Replacement a Hope of Better Health

A Total Knee Replacement is a medical procedure whereby the ailing knee joint is replaced with artificial surface. The knee is a hinge joint which delivers gesture at the point where the thigh meets the lower leg. The thighbone (or femur) abuts the big bone of the lower leg (tibia) at the knee joint. During a total knee replacement, the cartilage of both tibia and femur are resurfaced with metal prosthesis and the menisci are replaced with plastic component. Depending on the disorder of the kneecap portion of the knee joint, an artificial “button” may also be additional under the kneecap surface. The artificial mechanisms of a total knee replacement are denoted to as the prosthesis.

Total Knee Replacement facts:

1. Patients with unadorned destruction of the knee joint and knee joint pain associated with tolerant pain and impaired function maybe candidates for total knee replacement.
2. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause for knee replacement operation in the U.S.
3. Risks of total knee replacement operation have been recognized.
4. Physical therapy is an indispensable part of rehabilitation after total knee replacement.
5. Patients with synthetic joints are suggested to take antibiotics before, during, and after any optional invasive procedures (including dental work). 

What patients should consider in a Total Knee Replacement?

Total knee replacement surgery is considered for patients whose knee joints have been injured by progressive trauma, arthritis or other rare critical diseases of the joint. The most common reason for knee replacement in the Mumbai is severe osteoarthritis of the knees. Irrespective of the cause the injury to the joint, the resulting progressively growing pain and painfulness and decreasing everyday function lead the patient to consider for total knee replacement. Decisions about whether or when to endure knee replacement surgery is not easy. Patients should recognize the risks as well as the advantages before making these decisions. 

What are the risks of undergoing a Total Knee Replacement?

Risks of total knee replacement comprise blood clots in the legs that can penetrate to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Pulmonary embolism can cause tininess of breath, chest ache, and even shock. Other risks comprise of urinary tract contamination, biliousness and vomiting (generally related to pain medication), long-lasting knee pain and difficulty, bleeding into the knee joint, nerve injury, blood vessel injury, and infection of the knee which can require re-operation. Additionally, the risks of anesthesia comprise of potential heart, lung, kidney, and liver damage. 

What is intricate with the preoperative evaluation for Total Knee Replacement?

Before arthroscopic knee surgery, the joints adjacent to the diseased knee (hip and ankle) are prudently evaluated. This is significant to make sure optimal result and recovery from the operation. Replacing a knee joint that is contiguous to a severely injured joint may not return significant development in function as the adjacent joint may become more painful if it is unusual. Moreover, all treatments that the patient is taking are revised. Blood-thinning medicines such as; warfarin (Coumadin) and anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin may have to be adjusted or discontinued prior to surgery.

What happens in the postoperative period? What is involved in the regaining from operation?

A Total Knee Replacement usually requires about one hour time. After operation, patients are taken to a recovery chamber, where important organs are frequently observed. When stabilized, patients are resumed to their hospital room. Passage of urine can be problematic in the immediate postoperative period, and this state can be aggravated by pain medications. A catheter injected into the urethra (a Foley catheter) allows free path of urine until the patient becomes more movable.