When is a Knee Replacement Done?

Knee replacement surgery is an effective surgical procedure through which the patient is offered relief from the severe diseases that affect knee joints. This surgery is usually performed if other surgeries have been carried out and the results are still no substantial improvement. In the next sections, you will know when knee replacement surgery is applicable.

What is Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement surgery, as the name suggests involves resecting the diseased portion of the thigh bone, shin bone and kneecap and replacing it with an artificial joint which is prosthesis which is made from metals alloys, high grade plastics and polymers. The above procedure can aid in reducing the pain, address issues concerning mobility, and also the general well-being of the patients with extreme knee issues. To get a quote for knee replacement cost in Pakistan check online for qualified surgeons or healthcare platforms providing the surgery.

Indications for Knee Replacement

Severe Osteoarthritis:

Knee replacement surgery is mainly an outcome of osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis dictates the cartilage that is used to cushion the bones of the knee wear out resulting in pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease that results in chronic inflammation of the joints. This inflammation results in the cartilage as well as the bones of the knee being eroded hence requiring knee replacement surgery.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis:

One can incur knee injury and as a result he or she can develop arthritis. This may be due to fractures, ligament injuries, or meniscal tears that may cause post- traumatic arthritis which may at some point need to be addressed surgically.

Knee Deformities:

Abnormalities such the bowlegs or knock knees, or result in uneven loading of the knee joint. In cases where the mentioned deformities lead to severe pain or compromised movement, knee replacement surgery is possible.

Failed Previous Surgery:

Such patients might have had prior knee surgeries like osteotomies or prior partial knee replacement that have not yielded good results. In such situations, a total knee replacement surgery may have to be done to resolve the issues that are still prevalent.

Symptoms Indicating the Need for Knee Replacement

Chronic Knee Pain:

Chronic and accurately localized pain, especially during the search for a job, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of a chair may also become a sign of the need for the Knee Replacement procedure.

Limited Mobility:

Most patients present with a decrease in the knee’s range of motion to the extent that it becomes extremely hard for the individual to flex or extend the knee. This limitation affects one’s capacity to be independent and undertake basic tasks and personal activities in their daily lives.

Swelling and Inflammation:

Inability to manage knee swelling and inflammation that is continuing, may require surgery.

Joint Stiffness:

Pain that manifests after a long time, when one is getting up, or when they have been seated for many hours may be a sign that the knee joint is severely damaged and may require a knee replacement procedure.

Failure of Conservative Treatments:

Non-operative measures like physical therapy, drugs and use of injections do not work, then the next option is the knee replacement surgery.

Knee Replacement Surgery Types

Total Knee Replacement:

This is the most frequently performed procedure in the knee replacement surgery category. This is the surgical procedure in which an individual’s knee joint is replaced with a prosthetic knee joint. TKR is usually adopted for the patients with severe knee disorders.

Partial Knee Replacement:

This is also called unicompartmental knee replacement and is appropriate for those patients who have wear-and-tear in one section of their knee only. PKR entails replacements of a part of the knee, which is affected while leaving the healthy parts intact.

Revision Knee Replacement:

This surgery is carried out for any of the following reasons: Revision knee replacement surgery is done in patients who have had knee replacement done before but which has become defective. It is a more detailed procedure than the first surgery and entails special surgical skills.

Conclusion

It is a suitable intervention for patients with end stage knee conditions resulting from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, aggressive arthritis, failed previous surgery, and other knee deformities. Awareness of the necessary changes to a patient’s lifestyle as well as when to undergo knee replacement results in better quality of life. Owing to the new techniques in surgeries, and the rehabilitative packages that are available for the patients, many of the patients can get rather good relief from their pain and be able to lead normal lives. Before getting a knee replacement in Karachi consult an expert surgeon to discuss your treatment plan in detail.