JOINT AND KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Knee joint replacement is a procedure that involves replacing an injured or ailing knee with an artificial joint, or prosthesis.

The prosthesis is made of metal alloys, plastics, and polymers. It mimics the function of a knee. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), replacement knees can fit your needs and specifications. When selecting a prosthetic knee, your doctor will take into account your:

•     Age
•     Weight
•     Activity level
•     Overall health

The procedure to remove your old knee and replace it with a prosthesis usually takes less than two hours, but recovery and rehabilitation can last months.

Another name for this procedure is knee arthroplasty. Knee replacements are a very common surgery.

Arthroscopy is a procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. A surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fibre-optic video camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. The view inside your joint is transmitted to a high-definition video monitor.

Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to see inside your joint without making a large incision. Surgeons can even repair some types of joint damage during arthroscopy, with pencil-thin surgical instruments inserted through additional small incisions.

What is the purpose of a knee joint replacement?

Damage from arthritis is the most common reason for knee joint replacement. This includes both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Our Doctors usually only recommend knee replacement after other, less invasive treatments have failed. First-line treatment options our doctors suggest include:

•     Weight loss
•     Medications
•     Physical therapy
•     Assistive devices, such as a cane or a knee brace

 The team of doctors explains to the patient the Key factors in determining if you’re a good candidate for knee joint replacement and they are enlisted here

    How much your knee pain interferes with daily activities, such as walking or climbing stairs?

•     If your knee is deformed, bows, or “blows out” regularly
•     Your age
•     Your overall health

Knee surgery is a typical treatment for people over the age of 55. Younger people who have their knees replaced may outlive their artificial knees and may need a revision.

Doctors evaluate each candidate for knee replacement surgery on an individual basis

Before surgery, your doctor will assess your overall health and anaesthesia risks. This evaluation we follow in our hospital will include:

•     A full medical history
•     A physical examination
•     Blood tests
•     X-rays
•     Other imaging tests

Your doctor will ask you for your complete medical history, including any prior surgeries and ongoing health conditions you have. Tell your doctor about any medication you’re taking including over-the-counter medicines and nutritional supplements. You may have to stop taking some or all of them before your surgery.

Your doctor will review your anaesthesia options based on your preferences and what they think is appropriate for your situation. This could include general anaesthesia, which means you’re asleep during surgery. Or, you may receive anaesthesia in your spine, which leaves you awake but pain-free from the waist down.

Your doctor will give your surgeon the results of your medical evaluation, medical history, and your anaesthesia choice.

You can expect to walk with the aid of crutches or a walker for several weeks.

Your doctor and surgical team will give you full instructions on how to best prepare for surgery. It’s important to follow those instructions as closely as possible.

Arthroscopic surgery usually results in less joint pain and stiffness than open surgery. Recovery also generally takes less time.