The knee joint is one of the body’s largest, strongest, and most complex joints, supporting various activities like walking, sitting, and playing. While a healthy knee often goes unnoticed, its significance becomes evident when a person starts experiencing pain and stiffness in the knee that restrict mobility. Fortunately, modern medical advancements allow for long-lasting, precise artificial knee replacements that alleviate pain, correct deformities, and enhance your quality of life. At Apollo Hospitals in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, our orthopaedic surgeons possess extensive expertise in conducting total knee replacement surgeries.
Total knee replacement surgery involves an incision on the front of the knee to access and replace the worn-out bony surfaces with specialised implants, usually consisting of three components: femoral, tibial, and patellar. The femoral component is made from heavy metal alloys, while the tibial component is a metal platform with a plastic tray that moves against the femur during joint motion. The patellar component is an all-plastic implant simulating normal joint movement.
What happens during Total Knee Replacement?
- The anesthesiologist will monitor heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level throughout the surgery.
- The surgical site’s skin will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.
- The doctor will make an incision in the knee area.
- Damaged surfaces of the knee joint will be removed.
- Resurfacing of the knee joint will be done using a prosthesis made of metal and plastic. The knee prosthesis can be cemented or uncemented.
- Cemented prosthesis attach with surgical cement, while uncemented ones attach with bone growth on a porous surface. Sometimes, a combination of both types is used.
- The incision will be closed with stitches or surgical staples.
Preoperative Care for Total Knee Replacement
Home Set-Up
- Introduce essential fixes for safety in the home set-up.
- Ensure hallways, walkways, rooms, and outside stairs are clutter-free and free of tripping hazards.
- Use scatter rugs, footstools, and non-slip surfaces.
- Raise toilet seats for easy access.
- Install armrests and grab bars in the bathtub and around toilet seats.
- Replace sliding doors with a shower curtain.
- Install a hand-held shower hose for convenience.
- Avoid using towel racks or toilet paper holders for standing or sitting.
Exercise
- Engage in pre-surgery exercises to strengthen muscles.
- Improve endurance and maintain joint mobility.
- Consider activities like gentle stretching, strengthening, swimming, or water walking.
- Minimise stress on joints during exercise.
- Build confidence and knowledge for the post-surgery period.
Postoperative Care for Total Knee Replacement
Physical Therapy
- Engage in exercises like quad sets, dangles, leg extension, and straight leg raises.
- Utilise the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine for rehabilitation (suggested usage is 4 hours daily).
- Consult with a therapist for personalised advice.
Pain and Swelling
- Manage pain and swelling in the operative leg.
- Take prescribed medication every 4 hours or as needed, considering potential side effects like nausea or constipation.
- Reduce swelling by elevating your legs or lying down for 30 minutes to an hour during the day.
Incision Care
- Keep the wound dry until staples are removed, typically around 12 days post-surgery.
Temperature Monitoring
- Expect a slightly elevated temperature for several days after surgery.
- Contact the doctor’s office if the fever persists above 101°F, accompanied by chills, sweats, or increased pain at the incision, as these may indicate infection.
Total Knee Replacement Success Stories
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3y3of9fPFY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy02SbyTVNg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjDdXHiynbY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBfgvUPNmEw
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