+91 7337 0033 22Knee Replacement in Kadapa
Knees, much like the rest of our body, are subjected to aging. Several conditions – from consistent risks of constant friction of the bones to inflicted pain due to injury – impose the need for knee replacement surgery. The procedure, also known as knee arthroplasty, involves removing the damaged bone and cartilage from around the thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap of the patient and supplementing them with artificial joints or prostheses.
Why Knee Replacement
The primary objective behind a knee replacement is to restore the knee’s normal function and reduce the persistent pain and stiffness that the patients struggle with. You might need to undergo knee replacement surgery if:
- You have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
- You struggle with degenerative joint disease
- You have sustained injuries, including fractures, torn ligaments, or cartilage
- You develop a joint disease because of sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, and obesity despite being young
When do you Need Knee Replacement
If you are suffering from severe knee pain which is limiting your daily activities and not able to walk for a long distance are if the knees are bent and limiting your walking distance and also X ray should show severe arthritic changes.
Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries
There are primarily three categories of knee replacement surgeries-
Total knee replacement
In this procedure, the surgeon operates on the entire knee, replacing the damaged and diseased joints, bones, and cartilage with artificial material. A well-trained and experienced anesthesiologist will administer epispinal anesthesia. To facilitate optimized recovery, we at Vidyasagar Hospital implement a fast-track anesthesia technique to reduce side effects and fast-track recovery.
To alleviate pain after knee surgery, we use Interspace between the popliteal artery and capsule of the posterior knee (IPACK) blocks.
We use adductor canal block technique, with which patient will be completely pain free of the knee and can also be able to do exercises, able to walk sooner after the surgery.
With all the medical field advancements, surgical procedures are now done in the laminar airflow operation theatres, equipped with the latest equipment and technologies.
The knee replacement surgery is done under the supervision of a multi-disciplinary team of doctors and surgeons, including an orthopedic surgeon, an anaesthesiologist, a diabetologist, a cardiologist, and a physical therapist for a higher success rate of the surgery and proper recovery afterward.
Is Age a Factor
There is nothing like ‘right age’ to qualify for a knee replacement surgery. Like it is in case of any other surgery, age is an important consideration. However, in the case of a knee replacement surgery, it is not the decisive factor. Today, more and more young people are suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other degenerative joint diseases caused sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, and obesity. When routine activities like sitting, standing, and walking are compromised, a knee replacement surgery might be inevitable. The last decade witnessed an increased number of patients younger than 60 years undergoing this procedure.
At Vidyasagar Hospital, we examine your medical history, perform a thorough physical examination, run necessary diagnostic tests including the pre-surgical profile, and consider your age and lifestyles options to select a treatment option that best suits you. We will recommend a surgery only if it holds a promise of pain relief, improved function, independence, and better quality of life.
Getting Ready for the Surgery
If this is your first time undergoing knee replacement surgery, the chances are that you need to familiarize yourself with the preparation process. Once the doctor identifies you as a good candidate for the surgery, he will explain the implant options available, risks associated with the surgery, and pre- and post-operative protocols.
Here are some pointers you need to know/do:
- Make sure you notify your surgeon about all your medical conditions and allergies that you struggle with
- Inform the surgeon if you have bleeding disorders and take medications for the same. Your doctor might have to put you off the blood-thinning drugs like Ecosprin and Clopidogrel, three to five days before the surgery
- Your surgeon will also make you consult a physical therapist before the treatment for post- operative recovery
- You will also be advised to avoid consuming food at least eight hours before the day of the surgery
Revision knee replacement
A patient might have to undergo a revision knee replacement if their prosthetic knee implant from the initial knee replacement surgery has failed after an injury or trauma. Sometimes infection can also necessitate a revision knee replacement surgery.
Compared to the total knee replacement, revision knee replacement’s procedure is a lot more complicated. It involves the removal of original implant which typically grows into the bone in the knee. Also, after removing the original prosthesis, there is less bone remnant around the knee that makes it difficult to fix the new implant.
The procedure does require preoperative planning with the need of specialized tools and more precision from the surgeon. At Vidyasagar Hospital, we combine state-of-the-art medical technologies with contemporary treatment techniques to deliver exceptional outcomes.
Computer Navigation
We, at Vidyasagar Hospital, use computer-assisted imaging to perform the surgery with the highest precision level. With the help of sophisticated computer imaging, there is little scope for manual error. And it aids perfect alignment of the implants and soft tissue. Prosthetics placed under the virtual guidance last longer. They are designed to provide greater stability and range of motion.
The surgical system uses advanced stereotactic camera and an infrared light source to locate the exact points in the knee for smoother replacement with no error. The movement of the bones and the instruments during the surgery is monitored by the infrared stereotactic camera.
The primary model of the surgical site is prepared and displayed on the monitor for the surgeon. Once the data is collected and assessed, the navigation system analyses the precise distances, angles and alignments to ensure better accuracy during the placement of the prostheses.
Computer assistance minimizes surgical intervention. With computer aided surgery:
- The blood lost during the surgery is minimal, and the need for a blood transfusion is reduced
- The recovery is faster
- Post-operative physical rehabilitation is faster and smoother
- There is less scarring
- Knee replacement prostheses will last longer.
Any patient considering undergoing the total knee replacement should consider the benefits that the computer-assisted procedure brings along. It is especially beneficial for younger patients who want better results from their knee replacement surgery. This type of treatment is also recommended for patients with retained hardware from prior treatments like fixing fractures and other injuries. In computer-assisted technology, the surgeons can work around the retained hardware and avoid having to remove them.
