Understanding Knee Replacement Surgery and Its Benefits

The knee replacement procedure is a process that involves replacing worn out or damaged components of the knee joint by artificial joints made from plastic and metal. This procedure can ease the pain and certain life-altering changes that follow it.

The main reason behind the knee surgery procedure is osteoarthritis. It’s the degenerative joint disorder which causes the destruction of bone and cartilage in the knee. It can result in inflammation, pain, stiffness and a decreased movement of the knee. The other types of arthritis that may be affecting the knee joint include Rheumatoid arthritis which results in swelling and injury of the synovial membrane as well as cartilage. There is also the traumatic arthritis which arises after an injury on the knee.

The knee replacement surgery is advised for those suffering from an extreme arthritis condition or knee injury that affects their activities of daily living and the level of living. A few of the indicators to indicate a person may need knee replacement surgery include:

Knee pain that is chronic or persistent which is not responding to treatments that are conservative, such as physical therapy, medications, or injections
It is difficult to walk, climb the stairs, getting in or out of chair or doing other activities that are normal
A knee deformity, for example, being able to bow in or to the side of your leg
A loss or stiffness in the knee, or a decrease in motion which limits the capacity to straighten or bend the knee
The failure of surgery procedures to enhance the health of the knee

Prior to deciding whether or not to undergo knee replacement procedure, a patient is advised to consult an orthopedic surgeon. He will assess the health of the knee. They will review medical histories, conduct scans and physical exams in order to discuss the advantages as well as the risks. A surgeon will also be able to describe the various types of knee replacement procedures offered, like complete knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and revision knee replacements, dependent on the severity of injury as well as the particular demands of each patient.

A knee replacement surgery could affect people’s lives following surgery. The major changes that occur that follow this procedure include:

Improvement in pain relief and functionality. Many people who have successful knee replacement have a drastic improvement in their pain levels and increase in their ability to complete daily activities. It is also possible to enjoy recreational things like walking cycling, swimming and golfing, with less pain and greater confidence.
A quicker recovery time and a shorter hospital stays. Through advances in surgical procedures and technologies, including minimally-invasive surgery, robotic-assisted and computer-assisted procedure, knee replacement surgery is now possible using less trauma to tissue surrounding and blood loss. This results in lower pain, and less trauma. It can lead to quicker recovery times and shorter stay in hospital and a shorter hospital stay for patients.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation. After surgery, one must undergo an exercise program for rehabilitation that incorporates exercise for physical therapy to improve endurance, flexibility, as well as range of motion the knee. The program of rehabilitation can begin at the hospital, and then continue at home, or in an outpatient clinic. The time and length of rehabilitation programs can depend on the type of procedure, individual development of the patient, and also on the recommendations of the surgeon.
Lifestyle changes and safety precautions. For a positive outcome and avoid complications following surgery, patients must adhere to certain routine changes and take precautions, like:
Refrain from high-impact activities like jumping, running or other contact sports, which could cause stress to the artificial joint
Maintaining a balanced weight in order helps reduce the pressure on your knee
Antibiotics should be taken prior to any surgical or dental procedures can introduce bacteria into bloodstream
In reporting any indications of infection like swelling, redness, fever or dripping from the area of the cut
regular check-ups with your surgeon in order to assess the health of the implant

A knee replacement is a major procedure that improves one’s standard of life by easing discomfort and returning function to the knee. But, it’s not an all-encompassing solution, and may not be appropriate for all. Thus, you should take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure carefully and talk to an orthopedic surgeon who is experienced prior to making a choice.