Total Knee Joint Replacement Surgery
Overview
If you are experiencing pain, stiffness or loss of function in your knee joint, your doctor may recommend knee replacement surgery to alleviate the symptoms. Knee replacement surgery can be a partial or total knee replacement. During the procedure, the surgeon removes diseased or damaged bone and cartilage from area and replaces it with an artificial joint. The artificial knee is shaped to provide the normal rolling, gliding, bending motion of the knee. Our goal for successful treatment is to help patients regain their range of motion and quality of life.
Risk Factors
The following factors can cause damage or loss of functionality to the knee.
- Chronic osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Injury or infection
- Knee deformity
- Older in age
Tests
Before surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will need to determine the knee’s range of motion and the degree of damage. A current health assessment should be done prior to surgery.
- Physical exam
- X-ray
- Blood tests
- Electrocardiogram
- Urine test
Postoperative Rehabilitation
Plan ahead for your recovery time. During recovery, physical therapists guide patients in various strengthening and mobility exercises. The goal is to return patients to their optimum level of functioning.
- Wound care
- Diet
- Knee strengthening exercises
- Proper Body mechanics
- Walking
Postoperative Risks
As with any surgery, there are some risks associated with knee replacement surgery.
- Joint stiffening
- Breakage of artificial joint
- Fracture/break in bone below the new knee
- Wear and tear over time
- Infection
- Dislocation of the new knee
- Blood clot
- Stroke
- Nerve damage
- Heart attack
