Knee Replacement Surgery or Knee Arthroplasty Details- You Need To Know!
Knee replacement surgery — also known as knee arthroplasty (ARTH-row-plas-tee) — can help relieve pain and restore function in severely diseased knee joints. The procedure involves cutting away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap and replacing it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers.
Signs of infection
Knee Replacement Surgery or Knee Arthroplasty
In determining whether a knee replacement is right for you, an orthopedic surgeon assesses your knee's range of motion, stability and strength. X-rays help determine the extent of damage.
Your doctor can choose from a variety of knee replacement prostheses and surgical techniques, considering your age, weight, activity level, knee size and shape, and overall health.
Why it's done?
The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is to relieve severe pain caused by osteoarthritis. People who need knee replacement surgery usually have problems walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs. Some also have knee pain at rest.
Risks
Knee replacement surgery, like any surgery, carries risks.
They include:
1.Infection
2.Blood clots in the leg vein or lungs
3.Heart attack
4.Stroke
5.Nerve damage
Signs of infection
Notify your doctor immediately if you notice:
1.Fever greater than 100 F (37.8 C)
2.Shaking chills
3.Drainage from the surgical site
4.Increasing redness, tenderness, swelling and pain in the knee.
An infected knee replacement usually requires surgery to remove the artificial parts and antibiotics to kill the bacteria. After the infection is cleared, another surgery is performed to install a new knee.
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