In recent years, you may have heard of a friend or relative undergoing knee-replacement surgery. Over 60,000 knee replacements are done worldwide, and in 90% of these cases, the person has shown improvements in knee pain and knee function. The medical name for this procedure is Arthroplasty.
What is Arthroplasty, and why is it required?
The human knee is one of the largest and most complex bone-joints in the body. It connects the femur or thigh bone to the tibia or the shin bone. The joint is made of 2 bones – the patella, the knee cap, and the fibula, a smaller bone that runs parallel to the tibia. While ligaments hold the knee bones together, tendons connect these bones to the leg muscles. Two cartilage pieces called meniscus/menisci act as shock absorbers between the femur and tibia, while fluid-filled sacs called bursae help the knee move smoothly.
In some people, these elements of the knee can be affected, causing knee pain and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis: In this, the cartilage that is cushioning the knee joint wears out
Rheumatoid arthritis: In this, joints across the body, including the knee, suffer from inflammation
Trauma: An injury to the knee joint, as in the case of sportspersons, or accidents, can damage the knee joint
Age, weight, lifestyle, and medical conditions can make the problem worse.
In all these cases, surgery for knee replacement is always the last option. Before that, orthopedic doctors will put the person on other options for treatment such as:
Oral Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen and Naproxen
Topical ointments; Creams and gels that are rubbed into the skin and sprayed on the joint
Injections for the Joint: Cortisone or Hyaluronic acid are injected into the knee joint
Nutritional supplements such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and SAMe act as non-prescription pain-killers
Weight loss: Since obesity compounds the problem, it’s inevitable to lose weight
Exercise and physical therapy: In addition to these, the doctor may prescribe the use of canes, braces, and splints to minimize pain
However, if none of the above work, knee replacement is inevitable. Not doing the knee replacement on time can lead to complications such as:
Muscles and ligaments in the knee get progressively weakened
Areas surrounding the knee joints also start showing deformities
The chronic pain and loss of functionality restrict mobility severely
The knee joint continues to degenerate with each passing day
Knee replacement surgery that is delayed may not show any success
Also Read: Causes and Treatment for Knee Pain
What happens during the procedure?
In a knee replacement surgery, the entire knee joint is not replaced, contrary to popular misconceptions. Instead, the surgeon will repair the existing bone(s) by removing the diseased or damaged parts. Then, plastic or metal implants that complement the shape of the bone joint are inserted. Along with this, spacers are inserted that will ensure smooth movement of the bones over each other.
Signs that you need knee replacement surgery now
Severe pain in the knee which seriously affects your day-to-day activities like dressing and bathing
The knee pain is there even when you are not using the knee- for example, while resting or sleeping
The knee pain is present, day or night, with varying intensities
None of the treatments mentioned in the previous section have helped reduce the swelling or inflammation
The knee becomes stiff, making sitting, getting out of chairs, and walking very difficult
The leg appears bowed at the knee joint (bowed in or bowed out)
Ache or pain after standing, walking, or exercise for a long duration
Knee pain that increases during humid, cold, and rainy weathers
Knee pain that keeps you awake at the night
Swelling or stiffness in the knee after a long period of rest or inactivity
Lack of mobility makes bending or straightening the knee difficult
A grating or grinding feeling and sound in the joint
Climbing stairs or getting in and out of tubs is very painful now
The use of a cane and walker provides no relief
Swelling in the knee that is visible prominently
Pain that comes from doing your routine tasks or occupational work
Delayed pain: ‘Pay-back pain’ develops a little after the activity is done
It would help if you had the aid of a cane or walker to get around
The knee pain persists for a long or keeps coming back
Both during and after exercise, your knee aches
Your knee becomes stiff after sitting in a car or a movie theatre
Morning stiffness that typically lasts for 20-30 minutes
In the past, you have suffered an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of your knee
Also Read: Myths And Facts About Total Knee Replacement
Outlook
If you, or any of your dear ones, suffer from the above conditions, it’s time for a knee replacement surgery. Consult a reputed hospital or an ortho surgeon. He/she will assess the extent of damage and schedule the procedure at the earliest.
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