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Do you know What You Should Know About Knee Replacement? Conservative methods of treatment, such as self-care techniques and physical therapy, are effective for many types of knee pain. Knee discomfort can, however, become chronic in some circumstances, which can reduce your productivity and overall quality of life. If you have had knee pain for a time, you might be relieved to learn that Oklahoma City’s Prairie Garden Medical provides knee replacement surgery to reduce pain and enhance function.
A worn-out, diseased, or injured knee joint can be replaced by a procedure known as a knee replacement. Persons between the ages of 60 and 80 receive the majority of knee joint surgeries, but adults of any age may be candidates.
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When would I need knee surgery?
If your knee joint is worn down or damaged to the point where it limits your movement and you endure pain even when at rest, knee replacement surgery may be a possibility. The most frequent justification for knee replacement surgery is to treat osteoarthritis-related pain and diminished function. Additionally, if your knee is damaged by other disorders, surgery can be necessary. They consist of:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Hemophilia
- Blood supply problems resulting in the death of bone in the knee joint
- Knee injury
- Knee deformity with loss of cartilage and pain
Types of replacement surgery
Total and partial or half knee replacements are the two types of knee replacement surgery. The surgeon merely replaces the portion of the knee affected by the damage or disease. However, if the entire joint needs to be replaced, the surgeon resurfaces the entire joint and reshapes the ends of the thighbone and shinbone. The ends of the prosthetic pieces are put into the shinbone and thighbone, which are hard tubes with a soft middle.
The surgeon may insert implants if the ligaments in your knee are insufficient to keep the joint from dissolving.
What are the possible risks of knee replacement surgery?
Like any other operation, knee replacement surgery carries a few risks that include:
- Nerve damage. During implant placement, nerves in that area can be injured, causing pain, weakness, and numbness.
- Blood clots. Blood clots can form in the leg, but in some cases, they may travel to the lungs and become life-threatening. Usually, surgeons recommend blood-thinning medications to reduce this risk.
- Infection. An infection can occur at the surgical site or in the deeper tissue and may sometimes require surgery to treat.
Alternatives to knee replacement
In lieu of a knee replacement, you might undergo various types of surgery. Long-term results, however, are frequently less favorable. Depending on your age and the extent of the injury, your professional will advise you on the best course of action. Knee replacement surgery alternatives include:
- Arthroscopic washout and debridement. Your surgeon inserts a tiny telescope called an arthroscope into your knee. The surgeon carefully pumps in saline water to clear any bits of bone or cartilage.
- Mosaicplasty. This keyhole operation involves transferring plugs of hard cartilage with bone from another part of your knee to repair the damaged surface.
- Osteotomy. The surgeon shifts the weight off the damaged part of the knee by cutting the shinbone and realigning it.
Do you suffer from crippling knee pain? If you want to know if having knee replacement surgery is a good option for you, speak with your doctor at Prairie Garden Medical.