Knee replacement surgery involves removing damaged or diseased areas of the knee joint and replacing them with metal- or plastic parts. Also known as knee surgery, it is safe and effective.
How Does Partial Knee Reconstruction Differ From The Total?
Most arthroplasties treat the entire leg, a procedure known as total knee replacement. Some choose to have only a partial knee replacement
To make the distinction, it is important to know the details of each knee’s sections and compartments. It has three.
- Interior (medial)
- Outside (lateral)
- Under the kneecap
One section can be fixed by the partial approach. Healthcare providers call it unicompartmental. A total knee replaces all three. The partial replacement of a single knee usually benefits only those younger adults who have symptoms in one leg.
Who Gets Knee Surgery?
- Knee arthritis or injury to the knee has caused severe damage to the mating surfaces.
- Stiffness and pain make it difficult for you to do daily activities like walking up and down stairs and getting in and outside of a vehicle.
- Swellings and inflammation won’t disappear with medication and rest.
What Are The Options For Knee Replacement?
After treating knee pain has failed to help, a doctor may recommend knee replacement surgery. The following are some of the options available:
- Strengthening the muscles around your joint with exercise or physical therapy will help ensure stability.
- A knee arthroscopy is used to diagnose mechanical issues.
- Bracing and/or walking aids
How Common Can Knee Replacement Surgery Be?
The practice of surgery is very widespread. Surgeons in the 1960s established surgery. Since then, there have been frequent updates to the techniques and implants.
Each year, the United States performs nearly 800,000. This procedure is typically performed in seniors whose knees are worn down. This surgery has also been popularized in middle age because people want to continue being active.
Is It Possible To Tell If Require A Replacement Knee?
Talk to an orthopedic surgeon if knee replacement is something that you are looking into. Orthopedic surgery specializes in joint and muscle repair.
Your orthopedic surgeon should:
- Ask about your symptoms. What are they like? How severe? For how long? The surgeon may ask you if anything is making your symptoms worse.
- For a complete picture of your overall health, review your medical records.
- Take a look at your knees and check for strength and stability.
- Request X-rays for your knee. The surgeon can use the images to assess the extent of your knee damage. Advanced imaging (MRI), which is used to diagnose arthritic joints, is very rarely useful.
The orthopedic doctor will then make a recommendation about surgery or another treatment option.
What Happens To The Knee Before Arthroplasty?
If you and/or your surgeon decide to pursue knee replacement, you may need the following:
- Tests of blood.
- The dental exam helps to lower the risk of infection due to surgery.
- Electrocardiogram so that you can be sure your heart is strong enough before you go to surgery.
- For those who are able to undergo surgery, a physical exam will be done.
What Is The Procedure For Knee Arthroplasty In Houston?
Anesthesia will be applied to your body the day before surgery. This will prevent you from feeling any discomfort. You can choose to have a general or regional (spinal) anesthetic. The anesthesia team will help you choose the best type of anesthesia.