General description
Orthopedic knee replacement surgery is often recommended for patients with severe arthritis or another debilitating knee condition. During this procedure, an orthopedic surgeon will cut away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap and replace it with an artificial joint (prosthesis).
Benefits
Knee replacement can be performed under certain circumstances. Generally, patients who suffer from ostearthrosis who also show the following:
- Daily pain.
- Pain interferes with job, recreational activities and daily chores.
- Considerable stiffness.
- Instability.
- Considerable deformity.
Orthopedic surgery to replace the knee seeks to alleviate pain. An artificial knee is not a normal knee, but it can make all the difference between a limiting lifestyle and a fully enjoyable life without movement restrictions.
Technical description
Procedure – The prosthesis used in this orthopedic surgery is made up of several parts:
- A metallic part adjusted to the femur.
- A smaller metallic part adjusted to the tibia where a high-density polyethylene spacer will be placed to function as the new joint’s cartridge.
- A circular polyethylene part to replace the the undersurface of the kneecap.
Knee replacement takes around two hours, and is usually performed under spinal anesthesia. The idea of undergoing this type of surgery can be scary, but it is one of the safest orthopedic procedures nowadays.
Hospitalization – Orthopedic knee replacement surgery requires a two day hospital stay and an additional seven days at a recovery hotel.
Time – Knee replacement surgery takes approximately two hours.
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