Knee Replacement Surgery
The purpose of knee replacement in Delhi is to replace the knee, or the part of the knee with a prosthesis, which is damaged by osteoarthritis. In some cases, it is an implant that will replace the articular surfaces (cartilage) of the tibia, the femur and the patella.
Who is it for?
In general, since implanting a prosthesis is a definitive surgical act, it can be suggested by the orthopaedic in Delhi when the patient's pain cannot be calmed with any other medical or surgical therapeutic method that is normally used in case of osteoarthritis.
Generally, this operation is performed in patients over 65 years of age, in which osteoarthritis affects two or more internal, external and anterior knee compartments. But some young patients may be the subject of an exception, each case is different, and only the doctor can judge the need and benefit of such a surgery.
The surgery
The knee replacement in Delhi is an important surgery. It requires a preparation that includes a complete clinical and radiological balance. If possible, it must be done in an establishment specializing in prosthetic surgery. Normally, the duration of hospitalization exceeds one week. This operation requires general or epidural anaesthesia.
In general, this decision will depend on your general condition and the type of operation that requires the implantation of your prosthesis. The duration of the operation can vary between 50 minutes and 2 hours. Generally, after the operation, it is convenient to stay between 15 and 30 days in a re-education centre, explains the best knee surgeon in Delhi.
The days after the operation and the re-education
You can start slowly walking towards the fourth day, with some crutches that are necessary at the beginning, and then can be abandoned (usually, after a month and a half). The re-education advisable or even essential. The help of the physiotherapist and the surgeon will allow to recover the amplitude of the movements and facilitates the resumption of the march. Normally, the operated person can return to work after 2 and a half months or 3 months.
However, after a surgery of this magnitude, the patient should periodically visit his family doctor (or General practitioners, Rheumatologists, Orthopedists, Traumatologists, Internists, Physiatrists, Rehabilitation Medicine). For this, the consultations to the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi must also be regular: between 2 and 3 months after the surgery, another after 6 months and another one year later. Next, an annual check is recommended.
The results
Pain and mobility
The knee replacement in Dwarka is often effective in alleviating pain. It suppresses between 80 and 95% of the pain of osteoarthritis. The improvement of mobility depends on the type of prosthesis used, but also on the condition of the patient before the operation. However, generally, there is clear progress.
The scar
Normally, the scar is located on the vertical axis of the leg, in front of the kneecap.
The type of prosthesis
There are different types of prostheses that differ depending on:
- The part of the knee replaced: partial or complete prosthesis (tri-compartmental prostheses)
- The mode of fixation on the knee joint
- The knee stabilization medium used
- The mobility of the prosthesis components: fixed or mobile plateau.
Tri-compartmental prostheses
This type of prosthesis is the most frequent. They can be used in most osteoarthritis, even those that affect a single compartment of the knee. In addition, there are several models and they are used according to the state of deformation of the knee and allow the preservation or not of the cruciate ligaments. The choice of one of these prostheses depends on the state of your knee. Since each case is different, your orthopaedic in west Delhi is the best person to guide you in choosing a model. Tri-compartmental prosthetic models vary depending on 3 factors:
- Knee fixation mode: with cement or without cement
- The stabilization system: The different models allow the two crossed ligaments to be well preserved, one or none.
- The mobility of the fixed or mobile plateau.
The patellofemoral prosthesis
Osteoarthritis of the joint between the patella and the femur. This type of prosthesis is used exceptionally.
Partial or single compartment prostheses
Generally, this type of prosthesis allows an improvement in the mobility of the knee and hip. In addition to an almost complete disappearance of pain. Unlike the other two types of prostheses, these allow only the worn part of the joint to be replaced. However, this type of prosthesis is only used when only one of the knee compartments is affected: the internal, external femoro-tibial compartment or, exceptionally, the joint between the patella and the femur.
In addition, its implantation can only be advised in a patient whose knee deformation is unimportant and has normal cruciate ligaments. Your orthopaedic in Delhi is the best counsellor to explain whether you can benefit from this type of prosthesis.