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Knee Replacement Surgery |
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The knee is composed of three parts: the femur (thighbone),
the tibia (shinbone) and the patella (kneecap). These three parts
glide together on a smooth surface called hyaline cartilage. Over
time, due to prior injury or inflammatory processes, these surfaces
can wear out. Bone then rubs against bone resulting in severe, debilitating
pain. This can also cause the leg to bow.
Knee replacement surgery is designed to replace these worn out
bearing surfaces with a metal and plastic surface. The femur is
replaced with an entirely metal component, the tibia with a metal
and plastic component, and the patella with a plastic component.
The best way to think of a knee replacement is that the knee is
undergoing a retread just as you would retread a tire. At the same
time any deformity in the knee alignment can be corrected. In the
end, a knee replacement creates a smooth surface for motion and
restores the alignment of the knee thus restoring the function of
the original knee.
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The Surgical Procedure
When the surgical team is ready, you'll be taken to the operating
room. There you'll be given anesthesia. The anesthesia will help
you sleep through surgery, or it will make you numb from the waist
down. Then an incision is made on the front or side of your knee.
Any damaged bone is cleaned away, and the new joint is put into
place. The incision is closed with staples or stitches.
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Preparing the Bone
All of the bone surfaces of the joint are shaped to hold the prosthesis.
Then the parts of the prothesis are put in place. At this point,
your surgeon tests the fit and alignment of the prosthesis.
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Joining the New Parts
If the prosthesis fits correctly, its parts are secured to the thighbone,
kneecap, and shinbone. Then these parts are joined. Together they
form the new joint.
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The indications for a knee replacement include pain, functional
impairment and x-ray evidence of cartilage wear. Knee replacements
are generally performed in the sedentary patient. The success and
survival rates are approaching 90-95%.
The physicians at Sports Medicine North perform numerous knee arthroplasties.
The patient is medically screened preoperatively. Each patient is
asked to donate blood before surgery. The surgery is performed on
the day of admission. A motion machine is used after surgery to
aid in regaining motion and function.. Patients are in the hospital
for a few days before being transferred to a rehabilitation hospital
and then home. A walker or crutches are used initially for support
but the patients are advanced to a cane by four to six weeks after
surgery.
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