F A Q
Q.01.
What Are the Most Common Types of Knee Replacement Surgery?
There are two most common types of knee replacement surgery which include:
- Total Knee Replacement Surgery (TKR)
- Partial Knee Replacement or Unicompartmental Replacement (Microplasty) (UKR)
Most knee replacement surgeries target the whole knee joint, called a total knee replacement. But some people opt for a partial knee replacement.
In order to understand the difference, we should first know the three compartments or sections of the knee:
- Medial (Inside)
- Lateral (Outside)
- Patellofemoral/anterior (Under the kneecap)
While a total knee replacement addresses all three sections, the partial knee replacement fixes a single section. Usually, only young adults with symptoms in just one knee section opt for a partial replacement.
Considering the condition of the knee and the patient’s general health, an orthopaedic surgeon will help in choosing the best option.
Q.02.
Who Should Get Knee Replacement Surgery?
People suffering from the following conditions should get a knee replacement surgery:
- A knee injury or arthritis in the knee that has badly damaged the mating surfaces of the joint.
- Swelling and inflammation that does go away with rest and medicines. If the knee is deformed, such as not shaped normally or looking swollen.
- Pain and stiffness which gives trouble doing routine activities like getting in and out of car or walking up or down the stairs.
Q.03.
What Happens Before Knee Replacement Surgery?
Once the patient and surgeon decide to go ahead with knee replacement surgery, they may require:
- Blood tests
- Physical examination to ensure that the patient is healthy enough for surgery
- Dental exam to help reduce infection risk from surgery
- ECG (Electrocardiogram) to ensure that the patient’s heart is strong enough for the surgery
Q.04.
What Happens During Knee Replacement Surgery?
On the day of operation, the patient will receive anaesthesia to prevent pain during the surgery. It will be either a general anaesthetic or a regional (spinal block). The anaesthesia team will decide what type of anaesthesia suits the patient.
Knee replacement operation takes close to an hour or two. During the surgery the surgical team will:
- Make a cut (an incision) in the knee area
- Remove any damaged bone and cartilage
- Place a knee implant and position it accurately
- Secure the implant into the place by using cement, or without cement, as well Insert a piece of polyethylene (thermoplastic polymer) which creates a smooth, gliding surface between metal parts of the implant
- Close the cut/incision.
Q.05.
What Happens After the Knee Replacement Surgery?
After knee arthroplasty, the patient will be moved to a recovery room. The healthcare team at the hospital will watch the patient for a while to make sure they wake up from the anaesthesia without any complications. The team will also monitor the vital signs and pain level of the patient.
During the hospital stay, the healthcare team will encourage the patient to move your foot and ankle that will increase the blood flow to the leg muscles and help prevent swelling and blood clots.
Rarely, people who get knee replacement surgery go home the same day. If a patient has to stay in the hospital, it will most likely be for one more day. The time spent in the hospital is based on medical needs.
Q.06.
Will I Need Any Treatments After Knee Replacement?
Medicines prescribed by the doctor may help control and relieve pain. The patient will most likely receive blood thinners and wear a support hose or compression boots to protect further against clotting and swelling.
The patient will also be asked to perform frequent breathing exercises and gradually increase the activity level.
The day after surgery, a physiotherapist will the patient to exercise the new knee. After leaving the hospital, patients continue physiotherapy at home. Patients have to perform these exercises regularly, as instructed.
Q.07.
What Are the Risks of Knee Replacement Surgery?
Although knee replacement surgery is a very safe procedure, some rare complications may occur which include:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Injury to nerves or the blood vessels around the knee
- Problems with the implant like the device loosening or wearing down very soon
- Scar tissue inside knee
Q.08.
When To Seek Medical Attention After Knee Replacement Surgery?
After going home, the patient should call their doctor immediately if they develop any of these symptoms:
- Shortness of breath and/or chest pain
- Fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit (fluctuations in body temperature are expected following surgery)
- Cut/incision problems, such as leaking, bleeding, redness, swelling, or odor
- Pain in the foot, calf, or ankle that is new and gets worse
Q.09.
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