The knee joint is essential for daily activities such as walking, standing, and climbing stairs. The knee is often susceptible to injuries and arthritis (inflammation of the joint) which results in significant pain and disability. When movements are restricted, and pain aggravates, knee replacement surgery may be an option.
Total knee replacement Albany is a state-of-the-art surgical procedure employed to replace the knee joint with a prosthesis to restore mobility.
An introduction to total knee replacement
Total knee replacement (TKR) or total knee arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that helps remove damaged tissues from the ends of your knee joint and replaced them with a specialized metal prosthesis.
The goal of total knee replacement is to resurface the parts of the knee joint that have been damaged to relieve pain that cannot be controlled by other treatments.
Indications for total knee replacement
Total knee replacement is indicated when other treatments, such as physiotherapy, steroid injections, and anti-inflammatory drugs, fail to relieve pain or improve mobility.
You may be offered total knee replacement surgery if:
- You have severe pain, redness, stiffness or swelling in your knee joint.
- Your knee pain is so severe that it interferes with your quality of life.
- Daily tasks such as walking, standing, and getting out of the bath, are difficult or impossible.
- You cannot work or have a social life.
The procedure involved in total knee replacement
Your orthopaedic surgeon will evaluate your painful symptoms and the extent of damage through X-rays of the affected knee.
Procedure
- TKR will be performed under general anaesthesia (a numbing agent that puts you to sleep during the surgery).
- The surgical site will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
- Your surgeon will place the affected knee in a bent position to access all the surfaces.
- Using a scalpel (surgical knife) your surgeon will make a 6 to 10 inches long incision or cut near the knee joint.
- The damaged or diseased tissues are carefully removed including cartilage and bone.
- A prosthetic knee joint will be placed to replace the surgically removed bony parts.
- A spacer will be added between the replaced metal parts that act as a buffer or a cushion.
- The incision will be closed using sutures.
- The entire procedure will take around 2 to 3 hours.
- You are expected to stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days until you are discharged for further recovery at home.
Takeaway
Choosing to have a total knee replacement is a crucial decision, it is normal to feel anxious. However, this is an effective treatment to help relieve pain and discomfort to restore joint mobility and range of motion.
