If the knee is severely damaged by arthrosis in all its compartments, it can be difficult to simply walk or climb the stairs and the patient will feel continuous pain even at rest. In these cases, non-surgical treatments for arthrosis are no longer effective and total knee replacement must be considered. Total knee replacement surgery is safe, eliminates pain and also corrects any deformity of the leg. After this intervention, you will be able to resume your usual life and normal activities.
There is no ideal age for undergoing knee prosthesis surgery. This means that it may be necessary to implant prosthesis if you are young or if you are over 80 years old, it depends only on the conditions in which your joint is.
In its most classic form, the knee prosthesis consists of a complete lining of the joint. In fact, it completely covers both the articular surface of the tibia and the femur.
The best knee replacement surgeon in Chennai is Dr. Krishnamoorthy K, who is a senior consultant at Apollo Hospitals in Greams Road. He has 25 years of experience in joint replacement. Knee replacement surgery cost begins from USD 4000 in India, including hospital, stay for almost a week.
The advantages of the minimally invasive total knee prosthesis
1. Less damage to soft tissues
2. More significant conservation of the cruciate ligaments
3. Faster recovery
4. Less pain
5. Quicker return to normal daily activities
As with all prosthetic implants, it is possible that an infection may develop following the surgical operation, both on the wound and in depth, i.e. around the prosthesis. These types of complications, then, can occur in the hospital or at home.
Surgery for total knee prosthesis
Once the total knee replacement is agreed, you will have a pre-admission in the clinic to perform all the preparatory examinations and evaluate with the anesthesiologist every possible criticality in view of the intervention. Hospitalization usually takes place the day before the operation.
On the day of the operation, then, you will be prepared by the nursing staff. If necessary, the knee will be shaved, then you will be given a coat and all the jewels and any removable prosthesis will be removed. You will be able to meet the anesthesiologist, if necessary, and at the appropriate time you will be accompanied to the operating room.
To simplify the procedure for implanting knee prosthesis, some standard steps of the intervention can be identified –
Surface preparation
In this phase the cartilage residues are removed, exposing the sub chondral bone in order to have a uniform support base for the prosthesis.
Implantation of the metal components
It consists in implanting two metal articular components, one for the femur and the other for the tibia, which will constitute the new joint.
Patella Implantation
It is possible to decide whether or not to implant the patella prosthesis, depending on the conditions of this bone and the patient’s symptoms.
Positioning of the insert
Between the two metal components, of the femur and tibia, is placed in a polyethylene insert (polyethylene is a high molecular weight plastic) to create a sliding surface. The insert can be fixed (in this case it is called fixed plate prostheses) or mobile around a central pin (in this case it is known as rotary plate prostheses). If the patella is not implanted, it is called bicompartmental knee prosthesis and if the patella is implanted it is called tricompartimental prosthesis.
The postoperative course
After the total knee replacement procedure, you will be observed in a special room called recovery room, waiting for the effect of the anesthetic and sedative drugs to disappear. The knee will be bandaged and there will be a 1 or 2 drains for any residual bleeding.
A nurse will constantly evaluate your vital signs, and the recovery room doctor will decide when you are ready to return to your room.
Rehabilitation
Recovery of knee function will be progressive in the following days. You will be assisted by the team of physiotherapists who will help you resume walking and work with you for the gradual recovery of the articulation.
