What is Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee arthroplasty is a highly effective surgical intervention that provides lasting relief from knee arthrosis pain and enhances the functional capacity of patients. The primary goal of knee replacement surgery is to ensure the patient achieves a pain-free and mobile joint, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

Knee arthrosis, also known as gonarthrosis, is the degeneration of the joint's cartilage surfaces due to aging or prior traumas. The onset of pain typically occurs in one's forties and progressively worsens over time. Initially, the pain experienced upon pressure escalates into a persistent and severe discomfort that persists even at rest. This pain, coupled with reduced knee mobility, significantly impairs the patient's social life.

A successful knee arthroplasty procedure on the appropriate candidate alleviates pain, restores mobility, and allows the individual to regain the comfort of their former days.

Who Is A Candidate For Knee Replacement?

Total knee arthroplasty is recommended for individuals experiencing knee pain, deformity, persistent discomfort despite rest, medication, and physical therapy, severe limitations in daily activities such as walking and stair climbing, and significant articular cartilage damage visible on radiographs.

Key considerations guiding the decision for knee replacement surgery include:

- Does the patient experience nocturnal pain?

- Is daily use of pain medication necessary due to knee pain?

- Does the patient struggle with stair climbing?

- Has there been a notable decrease in the patient's daily walking distance?

Life Expectancy of Knee Joint Prosthesis

The longevity of a total knee replacement ranges from 15 to 25 years and is influenced by the surgeon's technique, prosthesis quality, patient's weight and activity level, as well as bone quality.

Surgical Procedure

The surgical procedure can be conducted under general or regional anesthesia based on the patient's comorbidities and preferences. Postoperative pain management is facilitated through preoperative epidural catheters or peripheral nerve blocks. The average duration of the operation is approximately 1.5 hours.

The day following the surgery, the patient can begin standing with the assistance of crutches and attend to personal needs. Tailored rehabilitation and exercise programs are meticulously explained to the patient post-surgery, enabling a full return to daily activities within an average of 6 weeks.

What are the Risks of Knee Replacement Surgery?

There are inherent risks associated with knee arthroplasty in both early and late postoperative periods. Some potential complications include:

- Anesthesia-related issues

- Nerve and vessel damage during surgery

- Bone fractures during prosthesis placement

- Excessive blood loss

- Postoperative infections around the wound or prosthesis

- Thromboembolism

- Possible prosthesis loosening in the early stages

How Long Does the Pain Last After Knee Replacement Surgery?

Typically, patients may experience pain in the initial two days post-operation, which can be managed with pain medication or epidural catheters. Mild discomfort may persist intermittently over the three-week recovery period. However, severe and persistent pain may indicate prosthesis instability or improper positioning, infection, or muscle weakness. Consulting the physician is advisable in cases of severe and chronic pain, with prescribed pain management aiding in alleviating discomfort.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the knee prosthesis recovery process, further details can be found in our related article.