What is a knee replacement? All the information you need before the operation

Many times, the solution to a knee injury is through a surgical intervention and the placement of an implant. Next, we explain all the information you should know before the knee replacement surgery in Delhi.

What is a knee replacement?

A knee prosthesis is an implant that is placed to replace the damaged joint in order to perform its function and allow the patient to regain mobility in the affected area.

The artificial knee is designed to comply with all the characteristics of the native knee, it only differs in that it lacks sensitivity, therefore, the pain caused by joint wear does not exist, explains the orthopaedic in Delhi.

Types of knee replacement

Depending on the severity of the injuries that the patient presents, the orthopaedic doctor in Delhi assesses which type of prosthesis is the most appropriate.

There are two main types of prostheses: on the one hand, the unicompartmental prosthesis, in this case only the damaged areas of the joint are replaced, however, in cases of osteoarthritis, it does not prevent the disease from spreading through the joint.

Second, there are total knee replacements. These are more common and are characterized by the total replacement of the joint.

How is the knee replacement operation?

In the knee replacement surgery in Delhi, the patella is removed, and the distal ends of the femur and tibia are cut to fit the prosthesis to the joint space. Afterwards, the two components of the prosthesis are fixed to the bone, through a foundation technique. Finally, the muscles and tendons of the damaged joint are repaired, and the incision is closed.

The operation usually lasts between an hour and a half and two hours. An incision of about 20 centimeters is made, which reduces the patient's bleeding and improves healing. The anesthesia used is usually spinal, that is, from the waist down, although in cases of osteoarthritis or coagulation problems, general anesthesia is applied, explains the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi.

When to put a knee replacement?

Usually, the knee replacement in Delhi is implanted when the patient has tried other treatments and they have not been successful.

The most common cause for needing a prosthesis is osteoarthritis, since joint wear and tear causes pain that, in many cases, can be relieved with a prosthesis.

Also, a prosthesis may be needed when one after a bone break, the joint has not re-established properly. In cases of bone tumors, a knee replacement can also be used to replace the damaged bone.

How long does a knee replacement last?

Knee prostheses do not have an exact duration in time. They suffer slight wear over time, this is due to a reason: when a prosthesis is implanted, a sliding material must be included, on which friction is made during the movement of the joint. The material used is polyethylene which, thanks to its properties, mimics cartilage.

Polyethylene suffers wear, since it releases particles, which are absorbed by the defensive cells of the human body. These cells grow and, in some cases, attack the bone, causing a "particle disease", that is, the loosening of the prosthesis.

In recent years, the quality of the materials has improved significantly, with which, we could say that knee prostheses could last up to 30 years.

Benefits of a knee replacement

The most common is that before undergoing a knee replacement in Delhi, the patient has undergone other treatments without obtaining results.

After the application of the prosthesis, the pain usually disappears in its entirety, or becomes a mild discomfort. Depending on the condition that occurs before the operation, the patient usually regain mobility significantly, and therefore improves their quality of life, since they can return to their day-to-day activities without experiencing pain.

How is the recovery after a knee replacement operation?

Recovery after the knee replacement surgery in Delhi usually requires a hospital stay of between three and five days. The patient begins to walk two days after the operation, helped by crutches and the distances are increasing.

Depending on the stiffness of the joint and the patient's previous condition, the duration may be more or less long. In the case of knee prostheses, rehabilitation is of great importance, which begins a few days after the operation, with the use of machines that make it possible to increase the degrees of flexion and extension of the knee, progressively.

Complications after the implantation of a knee prosthesis

After the knee replacement in Dwarka, only 2% of patients present complications, the most common being related to the appearance of infections that, in some cases, require surgical treatment.

In addition, there are other factors that are directly related to the prosthesis: the loosening of the prosthesis, which can cause pain and, in some cases, a replacement of the prosthesis may be necessary.

As explained above, the prosthesis develops a slight wear over time. In some cases, it can lead to loosening of the prosthesis. A breakage of the prosthesis can also occur, although in very isolated cases.

Some patients may experience an injury to the nerves near the joint, in cases in which the deformity that is corrected is significant, but is not common, says the orthopaedic in Delhi.

Knee replacement infection

As mentioned, the most common complications are usually the appearance of infections. These usually appear in people with obesity or diabetes.

Prosthetic infection occurs when bacteria reach the surface of the knee replacement. If the patient's immune system is not able to eliminate it, the bacteria can create a "biofilm", that is, a protective environment that protects them from the immune system and antibiotics. Depending on the aggressiveness of the microorganisms, the infection will be more or less serious.

The most common types of prosthetic knee infection are:

• Acute infection: it is caused by aggressive bacterial contamination in the operating room, and usually occurs within four weeks after the intervention.
• Chronic infection: in this case, the infection, too, is contracted in the operating room, but it can manifest itself from the fifth week after the operation to one or two years later.
• Hematogenous infection: the infection is carried, through the blood, from another part of the human body to the knee replacement.
• Positive intraoperative cultures: detected when removing the prosthesis due to loosening.

When a knee prosthesis infection appears, it is usually approached with antibiotic treatment, but it is usual, that a surgical intervention is necessary, in which the infection is cleaned, and the infection is approached from within. In some cases, a replacement of the prosthesis is necessary, says the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi.

Replacement of knee replacement

In some cases, replacement surgery for a knee replacement is necessary. Typically, this decision is made in the face of ongoing and limiting pain.

First, an X-ray of the patient is performed and, in case of observing the presence of radiolucencies, that is, lack of contact between the bone and the prosthesis, the intervention is carried out. In these cases, if the prosthesis is not changed, there may be a risk of a periprosthetic fracture, that is, a break in the bone that supports the prosthesis. Another cause is the appearance of an infection.

Normally, prosthesis replacement surgeries are performed using the anterior approach technique, in which the scar from the previous operation is intervened, explains the orthopaedic in Janakpuri.

Tips for caring for a knee replacement

Once the knee replacement surgery in Delhi has been carried out, it is important to take certain aspects into account, to keep the knee replacement in good condition.

In the first place, it is important to care for the wound after the operation, it must heal in the way the specialist indicates.

When you return to your normal routine, it is important to avoid impact sports, as they put pressure on the prosthesis and can cause overloading of the joint. Body weight should be controlled, as the greater the weight, the more pressure will be placed on the knee joint. Also, sudden movements with the intervened knee should be limited, it is advisable to avoid movements and positions that involve forced positions for the joint, suggests the orthopaedic in Delhi.

Throughout the post, it has been possible to observe how a knee prosthesis can be the solution to the existence of chronic pain or advanced osteoarthritis. It is important to follow certain guidelines after a knee replacement in Delhi to ensure a good recovery and a longer duration in time.