Knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is a commonly performed surgery that essentially involves replacing a damaged, worn-out or diseased knee with an artificial joint.
You won’t necessarily always need knee replacement surgeries but your orthopedic doctor/surgeon will be able to advise you on the right option for you.
Adults of any age might require this surgery and can be considered for it but most people who undergo this surgery are between the ages of 60 and 80.
What Is A Knee Replacement Surgery
When your knee is healthy, there is hard cartilage that covers the ends of your thigh and shin bones which allows your bones to move comfortably against each other. What certain diseases, including arthritis, does is that damage the hard cartilage and make it become thin and fragile. So, as your bones rub against each other, the cartilage wears away and becomes worn out.
What a knee replacement surgery consists of is the removal of those worn-out and damaged cartilages and replacement of those with metal and/or plastic parts. They perform the actions of hard and healthy cartilage allowing you to move your joints painlessly and freely.
Common Causes Of Knee Replacement Surgery
The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis.
There are various other health conditions that might lead to enough knee damage that requires surgery.
Some reasons are:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Hemophilia
- Gout
- Joint infection
- Inflammation of the joint
- Connective tissue disorders
- Unusual bone growth
- Blood supply problems that lead to the death of bones.
- Injuries or Deformities
Types Of Knee Replacement Surgery
There are four main types of knee replacement surgeries.
- Total Knee Replacement Surgery
- Unicompartmental (Partial) Knee Replacement Surgery
- Kneecap Replacement (Patellofemoral Arthroplasty) Surgery
- Complex or Revision Knee Replacement Surgery
There are a few sorts of replacement knee joints just as various surgical techniques. Your doctor and orthopedic specialist should assist you with picking the most ideal option for you, considering the state of your knee and your overall wellbeing.
Total Knee Replacement
Most knee replacement operations include replacing the surface of the bottom end of your thigh bone (femur) and the upper surface of your shin bone (tibia).
A total knee replacement may likewise include replacing your knee cap (patella) with a dome-shaped plastic one.
A few specialists like to preserve the regular patella if conceivable, yet some of the time the choice should be made during the activity. The new parts are normally cemented and set up. In the event that cement isn’t utilized, the outside of the segment confronting the bone is textured to urge the bone to grow.
Unicompartmental (Partial) Knee Replacement Surgery
Unicompartmental knee replacement is known to be the minimally invasive option in which only the damaged part of your knee is replaced with an implant.
For more context, the knee has 3 parts.
- Patellofemoral – the compartment in front of the knee between the knee cap and thigh bone
- Medial compartment – on the inside portion of the knee
- Lateral compartment – the area on the outside portion of the knee joint.
This type is a surgical option if your injury/disease is confined to a single compartment of your knee.
Kneecap Replacement (Patellofemoral Arthroplasty) Surgery
Patellofemoral joint replacement, also called kneecap joint replacement, is the type of knee replacement surgical treatment that is specific to the patellofemoral compartment anterior aspect of the knee. This option is suggested for individuals with arthritis of the knee that is confined to that specific region.
Compared to total knee replacement, in which all three compartments of the knee (femur, tibia, and patella) are replaced, the patellofemoral joint replacement involves resurfacing the back of the kneecap and the front of the thigh bone. And it’s obviously a less invasive option in contrast.
Complex or Revision Knee Replacement Surgery
Revision total knee replacement is the surgery to supplant the segments of an earlier knee replacement. Essentially, total knee replacement is perhaps the most well-known medical procedure performed by ortho surgeons.
Revision knee replacement surgery is for the most part undeniably is a more complicated medical procedure than a total knee replacement. Revision surgeries require broader and more meticulous planning and may require special instruments and implants. The operating surgeon requires mastery of techniques and expertise in performing this surgery to vanquish the troubles experienced in this medical procedure.
