Total Knee Replacement is now well accepted as one of the most successful surgeries of 21st century!! TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT(TKR) is resurfacing the arthritic surfaces of the bones forming knee joint with a brand new metal prosthetic implants. Most common reasons to replace the knee joints are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Sometimes, the Knee Replacement is also needed in special or difficult situations like grossly bowed or bent legs, severe bone loss, previously fractured leg, previously operated for high tibial osteotomy or severely osteoporotic bones. Such cases can be best treated by a surgeon, well experienced and technically skilled to deal with difficult situations!
A painful knee can severely affect your ability to lead a full, active life. Artificial Knee Replacement Surgery (also called Knee Arthroplasty or Knee Replacement) is becoming increasingly common and well accepted as the population of our country begins to age. When pain, stiffness, knee swelling and limitation of motion in your knee keep you away from your daily activities, you may need a total knee replacement.
Who would require a total knee replacement operation?
Total knee replacements are usually performed on people suffering from severe arthritis. Most patients who have artificial knees are over the age of 55, but the procedure nowadays may have to be performed in younger individuals with severe pain and activity restriction.
Knee Replacement is required if answers to most of these below mentioned questions are YES!!!
- Do you have daily knee pain?
- Is your pain severe enough to restrict not only work and recreation but also the ordinary activities of daily living?
- Do you feel marked stiffness at your knee joint?
- Do you have significant deformity (Knock-knees or bowlegs)?
- Is your walking pattern or gait changed and remind you of your increasing age?
- Have all other conservative methods of treatment like physiotherapy, pain killers etc. failed to provide adequate relief from knee pain?
Then, it is the time to consult your doctor and seek advice regarding knee replacement!
Goals of Knee Replacement Surgery?
Total knee replacement is a major surgery. A team of health professionals work with the patient to guide his recovery, but the patient is the most important member of the team! We believe that a well-informed patient is the best ally in achieving success with total knee replacement surgery. Total knee replacement is a remarkably successful operation that has transformed the lives of millions of patients by enabling them to be active and pain-free. The goals of total knee replacement are, in order of priority:
- Pain relief
- Standing and walking that is not limited by the knee pain
- Improved knee function and range of movement
- Improved knee strength
- Improved gait pattern or walking style
Fast Track Knee Replacement Surgery (Computer Navigation Assisted)
A Unique and Innovative Technique developed by Dr. Mihir Mehta, which has transformed the lives of hundreds of patients, who have taken advantages of this technique!!
Key Features of this Revolutionary Technique are
- Patient starts walking on the same day of operation within just few hours!
- Small incision, muscle sparing operative method, periarticular injections, use of epidural analgesia, all to ensure optimal pain relief in early postoperative period.
- Stick walking and staircase activity just on 3rd day!
- Discharge to home in just 4 days.
- Minimal, very effective and totally pain and hassle-free physical therapy at home by an expert therapist just for 2 to 3 weeks.
- Return to daily activities and routine life within 3 to 4 weeks’s time after surgery.
- Long lasting results with the use of Imported MetalBack Implants and Latest German Computer Navigation Machine!!
What is Knee Replacement & how it is done?
A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure whereby the diseased knee joint is replaced with artificial material. It employs specially designed components or prostheses made of high strength, biocompatible metals and plastics, to replace the cartilage in your knee. The metal that is most commonly used is an alloy of cobalt, chromium and molybdenum. The plastic is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with high cross-linking.
- The procedure is performed by making a 6-8 inches long skin incision in front of the knee joint followed by separation of the muscles and ligaments around the knee to expose the knee joint.
- In modern total knee replacement surgery, only the worn-out cartilage with minimal bone is removed to replace the diseased cartilage with an artificial joint, which is a kind of the Surface Replacement Arthroplasty. The entire knee is not actually replaced.
- Computer Navigation Machine guides through the Infrared trackers throughout the operation regarding implant sizing, gap balancing, axis correction, which are crucial for long lasting results!
- Specialized instruments are used to trim off the worn-out surfaces and shape the ends of the bones. As shown in the figure, the femoral component is metallic and is similar in size and shape to the end of the femur. The tibial component, which goes on the top of the leg bone (or tibia), may have a metallic base, but the top surface is always polyethylene. The undersurface of the knee cap (patella) is also sometimes removed, cut flat and covered with another polyethylene component. The components are attached to the bone with a specialized polymer (polymethylmethacrylate), commonly referred to as a “bone cement”.
Conclusion
Total Knee Replacement is an elective surgery. It is a life-enhancing surgery, not life-saving surgery. The surgeon may recommend an operation, but your decision must be based upon your weighing the benefits of the operation against the risks. You may simply decide not to have surgery and live with your arthritic knee.
However before deciding not to undergo surgery, you must understand that total knee replacement has proven to be extremely successful and beneficial. As with all major surgeries, there are risks, that the patient must be willing to accept , in order to obtain the benefits of pain relief and functional independence provided by a total knee replacement surgery. Recovery takes about 1-2 months and then most patients enjoy many years of painless knee functions with no limits on their ability to stand, walk and perform other activities of normal daily living.
