Everything you need to know about knee joint replacement

 

Knee joint replacement, commonly referred to as knee arthroplasty, is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures that involves replacing diseased or damaged knee joints with artificially created prosthetic components so as to relieve pain and other associated symptoms. The aim of the surgery is to improve the quality of the patient's life. With prosthetic components made of metal alloys, plastic and polymer, which resemble the original joint in both structure and function, the patient can get back on his/her feet without being dependent upon others. Over 1,20,000 knee replacement procedures are performed in India alone. The procedure is also offered at Vishesh Jupiter Hospital, which is the best hospital in Indore.

It is pertinent to know that knee replacement is not an option for everyone and there are certain factors that are to be taken into consideration in order to determine whether you are the right candidate for the surgery or not. One of the most important things that are taken into account is your age. The patient's weight, too, is an important factor, and some patients are even asked to reduce a few pounds before undergoing the surgery.

The whole procedure takes about 2 to 3 hours, however, the recovery and rehabilitation may take several months, during which you have to abide by all the guidelines recommended by your doctor and take all the precautionary measures to ensure that your knees are not subjected to any unnecessary strain.

What is the purpose of the procedure?

Knee pain is a very common problem, usually experienced by elderlies. The intensity of the pain varies from person to person, and while it may last only for a little period of time in some cases, in others it may be persistent or frequent. Experts from the leading orthopaedic hospital in Indore suggest that in the majority of the cases, the damage is caused by arthritis, an underlying degenerative disease that includes osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors may not recommend the surgery initially and try other resorts like weight loss, medication and physical therapy. Assistive devices such as cane and knee brace may also be used. However, if all of these fail to give the desired results, surgery is the only option left. 

Here are a few key factors, as listed by the best joint replacement surgeon in Indore, that will help to determine whether you are a good candidate for a knee replacement procedure:

      Age of the patient

      Overall health assessment

      Deformities in the knee

      Impact of the pain on your day to day activities

The option of knee replacement is usually recommended to people above 55 years of age. It is important to understand that if the patient is very young, he/she may outlive the prosthetic joint, thereby calling for the need for revision replacement.

How is the procedure carried out?

Before the procedure, you will be required to undergo a series of tests for proper evaluation and assessment, so as to devise a proper treatment protocol. Once this is done, your doctor will brief you about the procedure and help you prepare for it. The procedure is carried out by making an incision on your knee, so as to access the damaged knee joints. These are then removed very carefully, leaving the surrounding structures and tissues intact. The prosthetic components are then fixed in place and the wound is closed. Since the procedure is performed under the influence of anesthesia, it may take some time to regain consciousness. The patient is kept under keen observation for a couple of hours following the surgery after which he/she is shifted to the recovery room, from where he/she is discharged within a week.

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