Knee arthroplasty

Knee Arthroplasty, also known as knee replacement surgery, is a surgical procedure aimed at relieving pain and restoring function in severely diseased knee joints. This procedure involves cutting away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap and replacing it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymers.

Indications

Knee arthroplasty is typically recommended for individuals with severe Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Post-traumatic arthritis, or those who have suffered severe knee injuries. The primary indications for the surgery are persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, and a significant reduction in knee mobility, which severely impacts the patient's quality of life.

Procedure

The knee arthroplasty procedure can be categorized into several types, including Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), Partial Knee Arthroplasty (PKA), and Revision Knee Arthroplasty. The choice of procedure depends on the extent of the knee damage.

Total Knee Arthroplasty

In TKA, the surgeon removes the damaged surfaces of the thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap and replaces them with an artificial joint.

Partial Knee Arthroplasty

PKA, also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, involves replacing only one part of the knee joint. It's suitable for patients with damage limited to a single compartment of the knee.

Revision Knee Arthroplasty

This procedure is performed to replace a previous knee prosthesis that has failed due to infection, wear, or loosening.

Recovery

Post-surgery, patients will undergo a rehabilitation process that includes physical therapy to restore knee mobility and strength. Recovery times can vary, but most patients can resume normal activities within 6 to 12 weeks.

Risks and Complications

As with any major surgery, knee arthroplasty carries risks, including infection, blood clots, implant failure, and nerve damage. However, the majority of patients experience significant pain relief and improved mobility.

Future Developments

Advancements in surgical techniques and prosthetic design continue to improve the outcomes of knee arthroplasty. Minimally invasive surgery and personalized prosthetics are areas of ongoing research.