What is Artificial Knee Arthroplasty?
It is an operation to replace the surface of the knee joint that has been severely damaged and cannot function normally with an artificial prosthesis to eliminate pain, correct deformity, restore its stability and mobility, improve the function of the knee joint and improve the quality of life.
So you may not understand, so let’s first put a normal knee x-ray picture (below), you can see that the joint surface of the knee joint are smooth, the joint gap is also relatively obvious, and the surrounding bone is not osteoporotic performance.
In a knee with osteoarthritis, the joint cartilage becomes defective and uneven, bone growth at the joint edges, bone spurs, narrow joint gaps, and in severe cases, deformation of the leg into an X-leg or O-leg.
Look at a diagram of a knee joint prosthesis (this is only one type of prosthesis, there are many others, mainly different materials, but the main part is the same). Artificial joints are simply the removal of worn cartilage and its replacement with artificial cartilage, with a wear-resistant spacer in between.
The choice of specific prosthesis still depends on the patient’s symptoms and financial situation.
What are the indications for arthroplasty?
Knee replacement is mainly indicated for osteoarthritis, severe rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis, and hemophilic arthritis.
Joint replacement is generally required for the following conditions.
1. Signs of severe joint destruction on x-ray.
2. Knee lesions that cause unstable walking, knee deformities, and severe limitations in daily life and activities, such as inability to squat, walk, walk up and down stairs, wear socks, or cut nails.
3. Moderate to severe persistent knee pain that requires long-term pain medication to relieve.
4. Those whose symptoms cannot be relieved by conservative treatment (such as physical therapy, acupuncture, rehabilitation exercises).
What kind of results can be achieved with knee replacement?
You can move around like a normal person! You can swim, dance, go up and down stairs, travel, and do housework without any problems!
1. How many days do I need to stay in the hospital for general knee surgery?
It usually takes 5-7 days.
2. How long can the artificial joint be used?
In the absence of infection and breakage, the artificial joint can be used for 15-20 years.
3.Can I have surgery for hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease?
Chronic diseases can be operated as long as they are controlled smoothly.
Do I need to do any preparation before surgery?
In addition to routine checkups, you need to stop smoking and drinking, prevent infection, and the following precautions, and do a training session.
What do I have to do the day before surgery?
Blood sampling, enema, skin preparation, and bathing. If the surgery is scheduled for the next morning, do not eat or drink anything after 10:00 p.m. the first night before the surgery to prepare for the anesthesia the next day.
How is knee replacement performed approximately?
Step 1: A pre-operative examination is performed, followed by anesthesia and sterilization.
Step 2: An incision is made above and below the knee joint.
Step 3: The connective tissue is removed and the bone spur is smoothed.
Step 4: A tool is used to punch and grind the corresponding part of the bone to create a suitable position for the implantation of the prosthesis.
Step 5: The tibia and fibula are ground to fit the shape of the prosthesis.
Step 6: Continue punching holes in the bone to prepare it for implantation.
Step 7: The prosthesis and wear-resistant spacer are placed in the appropriate position and the knee joint is moved to check that the prosthesis is effective and reliable.
Step 8: Apply “cement” to the bone surface and “glue” the prosthesis to the bone surface. The knee joint is checked again for movement and the joint cavity is closed.
Post-operative rehabilitation exercises.
1. What should I do during my hospital stay?
Exercises to be started as early as possible after surgery include
First day after surgery
The second day after surgery
The third day after surgery: you can stand and walk on the third day, but the walking distance should not be too long.
2.How should the rehabilitation exercise be carried out after going home?
When the patient’s whole body and local condition are good, you can consider the discharge, the three months after discharge is the golden period of rehabilitation training, please remember three more and one less: more leg lifting, more leg pressing, more leg bending, less walking!
2-3 weeks after surgery
A few questions about the postoperative period.
1. When will the stitches be removed and rechecked?
Return to the outpatient clinic 2 weeks after surgery to remove the stitches. Monthly review is recommended for 3 months after surgery.
2.When can I take a shower?
One week after the removal of stitches, you can take a bath.
3. What should I pay attention to after discharge?
Still three more and one less! Joint rehabilitation is very important!