Knee Replacement Surgery
General Information
Knee Replacement Surgery or Knee Arthroplasty is a surgery where the damaged or degenerating knee is replaced with artificial joint also known as prosthesis, made of plastic, ceramics or metal. Artificial knee implants are durable and last for almost 15-20 years. Knee replacement done with the aim to restore the complete range of knee movements, eliminate pain and inflammation.
Knee Replacement Surgery becomes imperative to execute in cases of severe or progressive arthritis that disables knee from performing its normal functions smoothly. More than 90% people who undergo knee replacement experience significant reduction in pain. Knee Replacement ensures increased mobility and strength alongside correction of deformity.
Dr. Rohit Nalavade is one of the finest orthopedic surgeons in Mumbai. He has more than 20+ years of experience. He uses advanced tools and techniques for surgeries. If you’re considering getting knee replacement from Mumbai, you can jot down his name on your must-visit list.
Anatomy of the Knee Joint
The knee joint is a hinge joint and is comprised of bones, cartilages, ligaments, tendons and other tissues. The knee joint is made of the thighbone (femur), the shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (palette).
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that provides cushion between femur and tibia and act as ‘shock absorbers’. There are 2 in each knee. The medial meniscus is located on the inside of the knee whereas the lateral meniscus is located on the outer side of the knee.
There are 4 ligaments that attach the femur to tibia- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), Medial collateral ligament (MCL), Lateral collateral ligament (LCL). ACL and MCL make sure that the femur and tibia do not slide too far forward or backward. PCL AND MCL provide stability and make sure that knee doesn’t move too far in a specific direction.
A fluid-filled sacs rests between the tendons and bones, secretes synovial fluid that lubricates the cartilage of the bone joint, reducing the friction to nearly zero, is known as synovial membrane.
All these components work in union to carry out any activity. Any injury can directly affect the knee and cause pain and muscle weakness.
Conditions that require Knee Replacement
1) Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Post-Traumatic Arthritis are the most common types of arthritis. Arthritis depends on several factors such as age, family history etc. Common symptoms of Arthritis include pain, stiffness, swelling and redness. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which cartilage is attacked where as in Rheumatoid Arthritis healthy joints are attacked. Post – Traumatic Arthritis is a condition in which the Arthritis develops in the joints after an injury.
2) Knee Injuries
Injuries are something that can occur anytime, could be due to accident or any other reason. Severe injuries may lead to damage of bones or cartilage which may require knee replacement.
3) Fractures and Sports Injuries
With engagement in sports, fractures and injuries are bound to happen. Wide range of movements are undertaken by the body while playing a sport, any wrong move can lead to dislocation or breaking of the bone. Heavy exercises putting lot of pressure on the joint, could lead to tear in the cartilage.
4) Hemophilia
People with hemophilia may have a chance of getting hermathrosis , in other words bleeding within joints. Hemophilia refers to a condition where blood doesn’t clot. Person with hemophilia keep bleeding for hours even if the injury they met with wasn’t severe. This happens because of extremely slow process of blood clotting. Cartilage erodes with recurring hermathrosis, which in turn results in rubbing of bones against each other causing pain and damage of bones.
5) Avascular Necrosis
Avascular Necrosis, alias osteonecrosis, is a condition which results in lack of blood supply due to the death of the bone tissue which ultimately causes the bone to collapse.
There are many more conditions that could damage your knee joint and cartilages and require knee replacement. Persistent knee pain and swelling is a cue that you must visit a doctor as it may be cause of severe condition.
Types of knee replacement surgery
There 4 types of knee replacement surgeries as follows:
1) Total Knee Replacement Surgery
One of the most common types of knee replacement surgery is TKR or Total Knee Replacement surgery. Under TKR surgery the entire joined is removed and replaced with artificial one. Each implant is made of 4 parts. The tibial component ( comprises of 2 elements), the femoral component and patellar component. These implants are connected to bone through cement fixation, cementless fixation or hybrid fixation. The tibial component replaces the end of the tibia or shinbone. The femoral component replaces bottom of the thighbone or femur. The patellar component replaces the surface of the knee cap, which rubs against the femur. TKR surgery is usually required in treating of arthritis.
2) Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
Partial Knee Replacement Surgery is also known as Uni-compartmental Knee Replacement Surgery. When the deleterious symptoms are restricted to only one part of the knee, this surgery is suggested to you. This surgery is usually carried out with smaller incisions and ensures faster recovery.
3) Revision Knee Replacement Surgery
It is also called secondary replacement surgery. As the name suggests it is recommended to you when the first total knee replacement fails.
4) Kneecap Replacement Surgery
Kneecap Replacement Surgery also known as Patellofemoral Arthroplasty, involves re-surfacing of the damaged bone and cartilage. Patellofemoral is the section that includes kneecap (patella) and grove in the thigh bone where patella rests. Since only one part is resurfaced, this surgery is considered as partial knee replacement surgery.
Types of knee replacement surgery
Myriad of non-surgical treatments are recommended to you by Dr. Rohit Nalavade. When these non-surgical treatments fail to provide pain relief then Dr. Nalavade suggests knee replacement surgery. The type of surgery that you undergo decides how quickly you recover, your stay in the hospital and number and size of incisions.
I can assess your personal health history and other factors, determine if you require a knee replacement surgery or not.
Book a consulting with me to examine your pain!
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