When a knee joint is damaged, medical experts in the field will examine it to see whether a total knee replacement is needed. This will relieve pain and restore function of the knee so that you can keep carrying out your normal routine instead of being hampered in your mobility.
There are many reasons for knee damage such as trauma,
Injury and also certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. If there is severe damage that will not see any improvement with conservative methods, total knee replacement will be recommended. Some of the alternative therapies that can be considered for less severe knee damage are physical therapy, injections and medications. If you are wondering what is Robotic Knee Replacement?, this is a procedure where your damaged knee joint is replaced by an artificial prosthetics. Before the surgery occurs, your knee will be thoroughly evaluated by your doctor to determine whether you are a good candidate for this procedure. There will be a physical examination and supportive exams such as blood tests and imaging studies to understand your condition better. There will also be instructions given to you on how you can prepare for the surgery. They will go through the medications you are taking to see whether certain medications are to be stopped prior to the procedure.
This is a surgery that is performed under general anaesthesia in most cases.
This means the patient will be unconscious during the procedure. There are certain occasions where the patient is eligible for regional anaesthesia. In this circumstance, the lower half is numbed while the patient is awake during the procedure. Your doctor will discuss these options with you to see which is best suited for you. The damaged parts of the knee joint will be removed during the procedure and the doctors will replace it with an artificial joint. This is a procedure that can take up to a few hours with careful monitoring of the patient. You will need to recuperate in the hospital for a few days until you are given the okay to go home. They will check if the knee is healing properly without any issues. You will feel some discomfort during this time but you will be given pain medication to cope with it.
You will need to walk with crutches or use a walker to get around until your knee heals. There will also be physical therapy recommended to you so that you gain strength and mobility in the knee. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and complications. These will be explained to you in depth by the doctor so that you are aware of the big picture. Some of the complications that can occur are blood clots, infection and implant failure. However, for most patients, total knee replacement can make a big difference in their quality of life as their pain will reduce and overall function of the knee will improve. There is the possibility of your artificial joint being replaced in the future. However, you will be able to function with it for 15 to 20 years without issues. But you need to keep regular appointments with our doctor to ensure that it is functioning properly. This will make it easier to catch problems at the beginning.
